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Turks and Caicos Islands

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Coordinates: 21°30′18″N 71°45′14″W / 21.505°N 71.754°W / 21.505; -71.754
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Turks and Caicos Islands
Motto: Beautiful By Nature, Clean By Choice
Anthem: "God Save the Queen"
Location of the Turks and Caicos Islands
CapitalCockburn Town
Largest cityProvidenciales
Official languagesEnglish
Ethnic groups
Black 90%, Mixed, European, or North American 10%
Demonym(s)Turks and Caicos Islander, Wallies (Plural)
GovernmentBritish overseas territory (self-government currently suspended)
• Monarch
Elizabeth II
• Governor
Ric Todd[1][2]
Area
• Total
430 km2 (170 sq mi) (199th)
• Water (%)
negligible
Population
• 2010 estimate
44,819[3] (?)
• Density
104/km2 (269.4/sq mi) (n/a)
HDI (n/a)0.930
very high (n/a)
CurrencyU.S. dollar (USD)
Time zoneUTC-5
• Summer (DST)
UTC-4
Date formatd/m/yy (AD)
Drives onleft
Calling code+1-649
ISO 3166 codeTC
Internet TLD.tc

21°30′18″N 71°45′14″W / 21.505°N 71.754°W / 21.505; -71.754 The Turks and Caicos Islands (/[invalid input: 'icon']ˈtɜːrks/ and /ˈkeɪkəs/ or /ˈkeɪkoʊs/; abbreviated TCI) are a British Overseas Territory consisting of two groups of tropical islands in the West Indies, the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, known for tourism and as an offshore financial centre.

The Turks and Caicos Islands lie southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas island chain and north of the island of Hispaniola. Cockburn Town, the capital since 1766, is situated on Grand Turk Island about 1,042 kilometres (647 mi) east-southeast of Miami in the United States.[4] The islands have a total land area of 430 square kilometres (170 sq mi).[5] The islands are geographically contiguous to the Bahamas, but are politically a separate entity.

The total population is about 45,000, of whom approximately 22,500 live on Providenciales in the Caicos Islands.

In August 2009, the United Kingdom suspended the Turks and Caicos' self-government after allegations of ministerial corruption. The prerogative of the ministerial government and the House of Assembly were vested in the islands' incumbent governor, Ric Todd, for a period of up to two years.[6] The islands will however return to home rule after the November 2012 elections.

History

Main article: History of the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands are named after the Turk's-cap cactus (Melocactus communis), and the Lucayan term "caya hico", meaning string of islands. The first inhabitants of the islands were Arawakan-speaking Taíno people who crossed over from Hispaniola sometime from 500 to 800. Together with Tainos who crossed over from Cuba to the southern Bahamas around the same time, these people became the Lucayans. Around 1200 the Turks and Caicos Islands were resettled by Classical Taínos from Hispaniola. Soon after they arrived in the islands in 1492, or 1512,[7] the Spanish began capturing the Taínos of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Lucayans as slaves (technically, as workers in the encomienda system)[8] to replace the largely depleted native population of Hispaniola. The southern Bahama Islands, including the Turks and Caicos Islands, were completely depopulated by about 1513, and remained so until the 17th century.[9][10][11][12][13]

The first documented European to sight the islands was Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León, who did so in 1512.[7] During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the islands passed from Spanish, to French, to British control, but none of the three powers ever established any settlements.

For several decades around the turn of the 18th century they became popular pirate hideouts. Bermudian salt collectors settled the Turk Islands around 1680. In 1765–1783 they were under French occupation and again after the French captured the archipelago in 1783. After the American Revolution (1775–1783) many loyalists fled to Caribbean colonies, including (in 1783) the first settlers on the Caicos Islands; cotton became an important crop briefly. In 1799, both the Turks and the Caicos island groups were annexed by Britain as part of the Bahamas.[citation needed]

The 1852 lighthouse on Grand Turk

In 1841 the Trouvadore, a Spanish ship engaged in the slave trade, was wrecked off the coast of East Caicos, one of the larger Caicos Islands. One hundred and ninety-two captive Africans survived the sinking and made it to shore where, under British rule, the slave trade was illegal. These survivors were apprenticed to trades for one year then settled mostly on Grand Turk Island. An 1878 letter documents the "Trouvadore Africans" and their descendants as constituting an essential part of the "labouring population" on the islands. In 2004 marine archaeologists rediscovered a wreck, called the "Black Rock Ship", that subsequent research has suggested may be that of the Trouvadore. This suggestion was further supported when a marine archaeology expedition funded by NOAA in November 2008 confirmed that the wreck comprises artifacts of which the style and date of manufacture support the association of this wreck with that of the Trouvadore. The wreckage has, however, not been identified with absolute certainty.[14]

In 1848, the Turks and Caicos were declared a separate colony under a council president. The last incumbent was maintained in 1873 when the islands were made part of Jamaica colony; in 1894 the chief colonial official was restyled commissioner. In 1917, Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden suggested that the Turks and Caicos join Canada, but this suggestion was rejected by British Prime Minister David Lloyd George. The islands remained a dependency of Jamaica until 1959.[citation needed]

On 4 July 1959, the islands were again a separate colony, the last commissioner being restyled administrator, but the governor of Jamaica remained the governor of the islands. Until 31 May 1962, they were one of the constitutive parts of the Federation of the West Indies.[citation needed]

When Jamaica was granted independence from Britain in August 1962, the Turks & Caicos Islands became a Crown colony. From 1965, the governor of the Bahamas was also governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands and oversaw affairs for the islands. When the Bahamas gained independence in 1973, the Turks and Caicos received their own governor (the last administrator was restyled). In 1974, Canadian New Democratic Party MP Max Saltsman tried to use his Private Member's Bill to create legislation to annex the islands to Canada, but it did not pass in the Canadian House of Commons.[15]

The islands have had their own government headed by a chief minister, the first of whom was James Alexander George Smith McCartney, since August 1976. In 1979, a move towards independence was agreed upon in principle for 1982, but a change in government caused a policy reversal,[citation needed] and they instead approached the Canadian government to discuss a possible union, but at the time the Canadian Government was embroiled in a debate over free trade with the U.S., and little attention was paid to the suggestion.[citation needed] In 2004 the Canadian province of Nova Scotia gave an invitation to join but Canada's government said they would look at the matter later.[citation needed] The islands' political troubles in recent years have resulted in a rewritten constitution promulgated in 2006 and a reintroduction of direct UK Government rule in 2009.[16][17]

Geography

Map of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The two island groups are in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Bahamas, north of Hispaniola, and about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) from Miami in the United States, at 21°45′N 71°35′W / 21.750°N 71.583°W / 21.750; -71.583. The territory is geographically contiguous to the Bahamas, both comprising the Lucayan Archipelago, but is politically a separate entity. The Caicos Islands are separated by the Caicos Passage from the closest Bahamian islands, Mayaguana and Great Inagua.

The eight main islands and more than 299 smaller islands have a total land area of 616.3 square kilometres (238.0 sq mi),[5] primarily of low, flat limestone with extensive marshes and mangrove swamps and 332 square kilometres (128 sq mi) of beach front. The weather is usually sunny and relatively dry, but suffers frequent hurricanes. The islands have limited natural fresh water resources; private cisterns collect rainwater for drinking. The primary natural resources are spiny lobster, conch and other shellfish.

The two distinct island groups are separated by the Turks Passage.

Turks Islands

The Turks Islands are separated from the Caicos Islands by Turks Island Passage, which is more than 2,200 m (7,200 ft)* deep),[18] The islands form a chain that stretches north–south. The estimated population is 5,753 on the two main islands, the only inhabited islands of the group:

  • Grand Turk (with the capital of the territory, area 17.39 km2 (6.71 sq mi),[19] population 5,567)
  • Salt Cay (area 6.74 km2 (2.60 sq mi),[19] population 186)

Together with nearby islands, all on Turks Bank, those two main islands form the two of the six administrative districts of the territory that fall within the Turks Islands. Turks Bank, which is smaller than Caicos Bank, has a total area of about 324 km2 (125 sq mi).[20]

Mouchoir Bank

25 kilometres (16 mi) east of the Turks Islands and separated from them by Mouchoir Passage is the Mouchoir Bank. Although it has no emergent cays or islets, some parts are very shallow and the water breaks on them. Mouchoir Bank is part of the Turks and Caicos Islands and falls within its Exclusive Economic Zone. It measures 960 square kilometres (370 sq mi) in area.[21] Two banks further east, Silver Bank and Navidad Bank, are geographically a continuation, but belong politically to the Dominican Republic.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Districts of the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands are divided into six administrative districts (two in the Turks Islands and four in the Caicos Islands), headed by district commissioners. For the House of Assembly, the Turks and Caicos Islands are divided into 15 electoral districts (four in the Turks Islands and eleven in the Caicos Islands).

Climate

Turks and Caicos Islands features a relatively dry and sunny marine tropical climate [22] climate with relatively consistent temperatures throughout the course of the year. Summertime temperatures rarely exceed 33 °C (91 °F) and winter nighttime temperatures rarely fall below 18 °C (64 °F).

Climate data for Turks and Caicos Islands : Grand Turk
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27
(81) 		27
(81) 		28
(82) 		28
(82) 		29
(84) 		30
(86) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		28
(82) 		29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23
(73) 		23
(73) 		23
(73) 		24
(75) 		25
(77) 		26
(79) 		27
(81) 		27
(81) 		27
(81) 		26
(79) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		25
(77)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 36.1
(1.42) 		34.0
(1.34) 		24.6
(0.97) 		35.6
(1.40) 		29.5
(1.16) 		54.9
(2.16) 		30.0
(1.18) 		40.4
(1.59) 		66.5
(2.62) 		74.9
(2.95) 		93.5
(3.68) 		85.1
(3.35) 		605.1
(23.82)
Source: Weather.com [2] Weatherbase.com [3]

Politics

A street in Cockburn Town, the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Main article: Politics of the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory, a possession of the United Kingdom currently ruled directly by a British-appointed governor. Its autonomous system of government was suspended in August 2009. The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization includes the territory on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

With the election of the territory's first Chief Minister, J.A.G.S. McCartney, the islands adopted a constitution on 30 August 1976, which is Constitution Day, the national holiday. The constitution was suspended in 1986, but restored and revised 5 March 1988. A new constitution came into force on 9 August 2006, but was in parts suspended and amended in 2009. The territory's legal system is based on English common law, with a small number of laws adopted from Jamaica and the Bahamas. Suffrage is universal for those over 18 years of age. English is the official language. Grand Turk is the administrative and political capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands and Cockburn Town has been the seat of government since 1766.

As a British territory, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is the sovereign, represented by a governor appointed by the monarch, on the advice of the Foreign Office.

Under the suspended constitution, the head of government was the premier, appointed by the governor. The cabinet consisted of three ex officio members and five appointed by the governor from among the members of the House of Assembly. The unicameral House of Assembly consisted of 21 seats, of which 15 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms. Elections in the Turks and Caicos Islands were held on 24 April 2003 and again on 9 February 2007. The Progressive National Party, led by Galmo Williams, held thirteen seats, and the People's Democratic Movement, led by Floyd Seymour, held two seats.

The judicial branch of government is headed by a Supreme Court and appeals are heard by the court of appeals and final appeals by the United Kingdom's Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was Gordon Ward. The islands also have a Court of Appeal with a President and at least two Justices of Appeal.

The Turks and Caicos Islands participates in the Caribbean Development Bank, is an associate in CARICOM, and maintains an Interpol sub-bureau. Defence is the responsibility of the United Kingdom. In December 2004, the islands sought to become a new associate member to the Association of Caribbean States[citation needed].

Moves toward independence

The winning party of Turks and Caicos' first general election in 1976, the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) under "Jags" McCartney, sought to establish a framework and accompanying infrastructure in the pursuit of an eventual policy of full independence for the islands. However, with the early death of McCartney, confidence in the country’s leadership waned. In 1980, the PDM agreed with the British government that independence would be granted in 1982 if the PDM was reelected in the elections of that year. That election was effectively a referendum on the independence issue and was won by the pro-dependency Progressive National Party (PNP), which claimed victory again four years later. With these developments, the independence issue largely faded from the political scene.

However, in the mid-2000s, the issue of independence for the islands was again raised. In April 2006, PNP Premier Michael Misick reaffirmed that his party saw independence from Britain as the "ultimate goal" for the islands, but not at the present time.[23]

In 2008, opponents of Misick accused him of moving toward independence for the islands in order to dodge a commission of inquiry, which examined reports of corruption by the Misick Administration.[24]

Proposed union with Canada

See also: Proposed provinces and territories of Canada

A great number of tourists who visit the Turks and Caicos Islands are Canadian. Owing to this, the islands' status as a British colony, and historic trade links, some politicians in Canada and the Turks and Caicos have suggested some form of union between Canada and the British territory. However, the islands' small economy and Canada's involvement in Haiti has made this controversial.

Corruption scandal and suspension of self-government

Background

In 2008, after members of the British parliament conducting a routine review of the administration received several reports of high-level official corruption in the Turks and Caicos,[25] then-Governor Richard Tauwhare announced the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry into corruption.[26] The same year, Premier Michael Misick himself became the focus of a criminal investigation after a woman identified by news outlets as an American citizen residing in Puerto Rico accused him of sexually assaulting her,[27] although he strongly denies the charge.[28]

On Monday, 16 March 2009, the UK threatened to suspend self-government in the islands and transfer power to the new governor, Gordon Wetherell, over systemic corruption.[29]

On 18 March 2009, on the advice of her UK ministers, Queen Elizabeth II issued an Order in Council giving the Governor the power to suspend those parts of the 2006 Constitution which deal with ministerial government and the House of Assembly, and to exercise the powers of government himself. The order, which would also establish an Advisory Council and Consultative Forum in place of the House of Assembly, would come into force on a date to be announced by the governor, and remain in force for two years unless extended or revoked.[30]

On 23 March 2009, after the enquiry found evidence of "high probability of systemic corruption or other serious dishonesty", Misick resigned as Premier to make way for a new, unified government.[31] Politicians were accused of selling crown land for personal gain and misusing public funds.[32] The following day, Galmo Williams was sworn in as his replacement.[31][33] Misick denied all charges, and referred to the British government's debate on whether to remove the territory's sovereignty as "tantamount to being re-colonised. It is a backwards step completely contrary to the whole movement of history."[32]

Suspension and reactions

On 14 August 2009 after Misick's last appeals failed, the Governor, on the instructions of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, imposed direct rule on the Turks and Caicos Islands by authority of the 18 March 2009 Order in Council issued by the Queen. The islands' administration has been suspended for up to two years, with possible extensions, and power has been transferred to the Governor, with the United Kingdom also stationing a supply vessel in between Turks and Caicos. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Chris Bryant said of the decision to impose rule, "This is a serious constitutional step which the UK Government has not taken lightly but these measures are essential in order to restore good governance and sound financial management."[34]

The move was met with vehement opposition by the former Turks and Caicos government, with Misick's successor Williams calling it a "coup", and stating that, "Our country is being invaded and re-colonised by the United Kingdom, dismantling a duly elected government and legislature and replacing it with a one-man dictatorship, akin to that of the old Red China, all in the name of good governance."[34] Despite this, the civilian populace was reported to be largely welcoming of the enforced rule.[34] The British government stated that they intended to keep true to their word that the country would regain sovereignty in two years or less, and Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant said that elections would be held in 2011, "or sooner".[35] Governor Wetherell stated that he would aim to "make a clean break from the mistakes of the past" and create "a durable path towards good governance, sound financial management and sustainable development". Wetherell continued to say that, "In the meantime we must all learn to foster a quality of public spirit, listen to all those who have the long-term interests of these islands at heart, and safeguard the fundamental assets of the Territory for future generations... Our guiding principles will be those of transparency, accountability and responsibility. I believe that most people in the Turks and Caicos will welcome these changes."[34]

Population

Demographics

Eight of the thirty islands in the territory are inhabited, with a total population in mid-2006 of about 32,000. One-third of the population is under 15 years old, and only 4% are 65 or older. In 2000 the population was growing at a rate of 3.55% per year, with 14.46 migrants per 1,000 population and 25.65 births per 1,000 population, offset by 4.57 deaths per 1,000 population. The infant mortality rate was 18.66 deaths per 1,000 live births and the life expectancy at birth was 73.28 years (71.15 years for males, 75.51 years for females). The total fertility rate was 3.25 children born per woman. The annual population growth rate is 2.82%.

The preliminary results of the 2012-01-25 Census were released in August 12, 2012; they show a total population of 31,458 inhabitants; 57.5 of adult population is composed of immigrants ("non-belongers"). Compared with the 2001 population (19,886) there's an increase of 58.19% in the number of inhabitants.[4]

The CIA World Factbook describes the islander's ethnicity as "90% Black", with the remainder Mixed, European or North American ancestry.

The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands are called "Turks and Caicos Wallies" or simply just "Wallies".

Language

The official language of the islands is English and the population also speaks Turks and Caicos Islands Creole[36] which is similar to Bahamian Creole.[37] Due to its close proximity to Cuba and Hispaniola, large Haitian Creole and Spanish-speaking communities have developed in the territory due to immigration, both legal and illegal, from Creole-speaking Haiti and from Spanish-speaking Cuba and Dominican Republic.[38]

Religion

Main article: Religion in the Turks and Caicos Islands

The population of Turks and Caicos (as of 2001) were 35.8% Baptists, 11.7% Members of the Church of God, 11.4% Catholics, 10% Anglicans, 9.3% Methodists, 6% Seventh-Day Adventists, 1.8% Jehovah's Witnesses and 14% other.[39]

Catholics are served by the Mission "Sui Iuris" for Turks and Caicos, which was erected in 1984 with territory taken from the then Diocese of Nassau.

Culture

See also: Music of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Turks and Caicos National Museum on Grand Turk

The Turks and Caicos Islands are most well known for ripsaw music. The islands are known for their annual Music and Cultural Festival showcasing many local talents and other dynamic performances by many music celebrities from around the Caribbean and United States.

The island's most popular sports are fishing, sailing, football and cricket (which is the national sport).

Turks and Caicos cuisine is based primarily around seafood, especially conch. Two common dishes, whilst not traditionally 'local', are conch fritters and conch salad.[40]

Citizenship

Because the Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory and not an independent country, they cannot confer citizenship. Instead, people with close ties to Britain's Overseas Territories, all hold the same nationality: British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) as defined by the British Nationality Act 1981 and subsequent amendments. BOTC, however, does not confer any right to live in any British Overseas Territory, including the territory from which it is derived. Instead, the rights normally associated with citizenship derive from what is called Belonger status and island natives or descendants from natives are said to be Belongers.

In 2002, the British Overseas Territories Act restored full British citizenship status to all inhabitants of British Overseas Territories, including the Turks and Caicos.

Education system

Education is free and mandatory for children aged five to sixteen. Primary education lasts for six years and secondary education lasts for five years. In the 1990s, the island nation launched the Primary In-Service Teacher Education Project (PINSTEP) in an effort to increase the skills of its primary school teachers, nearly one-quarter of whom were unqualified. Turks and Caicos also worked to refurbish its primary schools, reduce textbook costs, and increase equipment and supplies given to schools. For example, in September 1993, each primary school was given enough books to allow teachers to establish in-class libraries.[citation needed] In 2001, the student–teacher ratio at the primary level was roughly 15:1.[citation needed] The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College offers higher education to students who have successfully completed their secondary education. The community college also oversees an adult literacy program. The Ministry of Health, Education, Youth, Sports, and Women's Affairs oversees education in Turks and Caicos.

Economy

Graphical depiction of Turks and Caicos's product exports in 28 color coded categories.

In 2006, GDP contributions were as follows:[41] Hotels & Restaurants 23.27%, Financial Services 29.64%, Construction 48.71%, Wholesale & Retail Trade 20.89% and Health & Social Work 10.83%.[clarification needed] Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported.

In 2006, major sources of government revenue included Import Duties (37%), Stamp Duties from Property Transactions (20%), Work Permits and Residency Fees (9%) and Accommodation Tax (9%). The territory's gross domestic product as of late 2006 is approximately US$722 million (per capita $17,112), with an inflation rate of 3.7%.[41]

The labour force totalled 12000 workers in 2006. The labour force distribution is as follows:

Skill level Percentage
Unskilled/Manual 53%
Semi-skilled 12%
Skilled 20%
Professional 15%

The unemployment rate in 2007 was 5.4%. In 2006–2007, the territory took in revenues of $202.5 million against expenditures of $199.5 million. In 1995, the island received economic aid worth $5.7 million. The territory's currency is the United States dollar, with a few government fines (such as airport infractions) being payable in pounds sterling. Most commemorative coin issues are denominated in crowns.

The primary agricultural products include limited amounts of maize, beans, cassava (tapioca) and citrus fruits. Fish and conch are the only significant export, with some $169.2 million of lobster, dried and fresh conch, and conch shells exported in 2000, primarily to the United Kingdom and the United States. In recent years, however, the catch has been declining. The territory used to be an important trans-shipment point for South American narcotics destined for the United States, but due to the ongoing pressure of a combined American, Bahamian and Turks and Caicos effort this trade has been greatly reduced.

The islands import food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufacture and construction materials, primarily from the United States and the United Kingdom. Imports totalled $581 million in 2007.

The islands produce and consume about 5 GWh of electricity, per year, all of which comes from fossil fuels.

Tourism

The United States was the leading source of tourists in 1996, accounting for more than half of the 87,000 visitors; another major source of tourists is Canada. Tourist arrivals had risen to 264,887 in 2007.[42]

Turks and Caicos Islands sunset.
A view of the southwestern beach at Grand Turk Island.

The government is pursuing a two-pronged strategy to increase tourism. Upscale resorts are aimed at the wealthy, while a large new cruise ship port and recreation centre has been built for the masses visiting Grand Turk. Turks and Caicos Islands has one of the longest coral reefs in the world, making it a premier diving destination.

The French vacation village company of Club Mediterannee (Club Med) has an all-inclusive adult resort called 'Turkoise' on one of the main islands.

Providenciales is home to a restaurant scene popular among tourists. There has been a recent trend towards authentic local tastes, with on-the-beach spots such as Da Conch Shack (run by popular Canadian island resident John Macdonald) attracting locals and tourists alike in droves.

Several Hollywood stars have built homes in the Turks and Caicos, including Dick Clark and Bruce Willis as well as studio executive, Eric Edmeades.[43] Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner married on Parrot Cay in 2005. Actress Eva Longoria and her ex-husband Tony Parker went to the islands for their honeymoon in July 2007 and High School Musical actors Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens went for a vacation there.

On 31 January 2008, the Turks and Caicos Government signed a letter of intent with the Indy Racing League to host the Indy Turks and Caicos Grand Prix, slated for February 2009. A new race track will be constructed in Blue Hills, Providenciales to host the event.[44]

In an apparent effort to boost tourism during the Caribbean low season of late summer, the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board have organised and hosted an annual series of concerts called the Turks & Caicos Music and Cultural Festival since summer of 2003.[45] Held in a temporary bandshell at The Turtle Cove Marina in The Bight on Providenciales, this festival lasts about a week and has featured several notable international recording artists such as Lionel Richie, LL Cool J, Anita Baker, Billy Ocean, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Kenny Rogers, Michael Bolton, Ludacris, Chaka Khan, and Boyz II Men.[46] More than 10,000 people attend annually.[46]

Biodiversity

A French Angelfish in Princess Alexandra Land and Sea National Park, Providenciales
A Blue Tang and a Squirrelfish in Princess Alexandra Land and Sea National Park, Providenciales

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a biodiversity hotspot. The islands have many endemic species and others of international importance, due to the conditions created by the oldest established salt-pan development in the Caribbean. The variety of species includes a number of endemic species of lizards, snakes, insects and plants, and marine organisms; in addition to being an important breeding area for seabirds.[47]

The UK and Turks and Caicos Islands Governments have joint responsibility for the conservation and preservation in order to meet obligations under international environmental conventions.[48]

Due to this significance, the islands are on the United Kingdom's tentative list for future UNESCO World Heritage Sites.[49]

Transportation

Providenciales International Airport is the main entry point for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Altogether, there are seven airports, located on each of the inhabited islands. Five have paved runways (three of which are approximately 2000 metres long and one is approximately 1000 metres long), and the remaining two have unpaved runways (one of which is approximately 1000 metres long and the other is significantly shorter).

  • 2011. The Providenciales airport is currently undergoing expansion of the runway that will soon allow larger aircraft, namely 777's, 747's A330's, A340's and 787's to land. Currently the runway is unable to accommodate larger widebody aircraft. When complete, it is expected that additional airlift to European, Asian and North American destinations could open up.
The Leeward Highway, Providenciales

The islands have 121 kilometres of highway, 24 km paved and 97 km unpaved. Like the United States Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands drive on the left (making the steering wheel on the outside on the left), but use left-hand-drive vehicles that are imported from the Continental United States, Europe, and elsewhere.

The territory's main international ports and harbours are on Grand Turk and Providenciales.

The islands have no significant railways. In the early twentieth century East Caicos operated a horse-drawn railway to transport Sisal from the plantation to the port. The 14 km route was removed after sisal trading ceased.[50]

Media

The territory had about 3,000 telephone lines in use in 1994. Mobile phone service is provided by Cable & Wireless, using GSM 850 and TDMA, and Digicel, using GSM 900 and 1900 and Islandcom Wirless, using 3G 850. Cable & Wireless provides CDMA mobile phone service in Providenciales and Grand Turk. The system is connected to the mainland by two submarine cables and an Intelsat earth station. There were three AM radio stations (one inactive) and six FM stations (no shortwave) in 1998. The most popular station is Power 92.5 FM which plays Top 100 hits. Over 8000 radio receivers are owned across the territory.

West Indies Video (WIV) has been the sole cable television provider for the Turks and Caicos Islands for over two decades and WIV4 (a subsidiary of WIV) has been the only broadcast station in the islands for over 15 years; broadcasts from the Bahamas can also be received. The territory has two internet service providers and its country code top level domain (ccTLD) is ".tc". Amateur radio callsigns begin with "VP5" and visiting operators frequently work from the islands.

WIV introduced Channel 4 News in 2002 broadcasting local news and infotainment programs across the country. Channel 4 was re-launched as WIV4 in November 2007 and began providing reliable daily online Turks and Caicos news with the WIV4 News blog, an online forum connecting TCI residents with others interested in the islands, while keeping users updated on the TCI's daily news.

Turks and Caicos's newspapers include the Turks and Caicos Weekly News, the Turks and Caicos SUN[51] and the Turks and Caicos Free Press.[52] All three publications are weekly. The Weekly News and the Sun both have supplement magazines. Other local magazines Times of the Islands,[53] s3 Magazine,[54] Real Life Magazine, Baller Magazine, and Unleashed Magazine.

From 1950 to 1981, the United States had a missile tracking station on Grand Turk. In the early days of the American space program, NASA used it. After his three earth orbits in 1962, American astronaut John Glenn successfully landed in the nearby ocean and was brought back ashore at this island.

Sports

As of 4th July 2012, Turks and Caicos Islands' Football team shared the position of the lowest ranking national men's football team in the world at the rank of 205th. [55]

Notable Turks and Caicos Islanders

See also

References

  1. ^ "UK imposes Turks and Caicos rule". BBC News. 14 August 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  2. ^ McElroy, Damien (14 August 2009). "Turks and Caicos: Britain suspends government in overseas territory". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  3. ^ "IFES Election Guide - Country Profile: Turks and Caicos Islands". Electionguide.org. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  4. ^ "Distance Calculator - How far is it from Miami – Florida – U.S.A". Timeanddate.com. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  5. ^ a b Different sources give different figures for the Islands' area. The CIA World Factbook gives 430 km2, europa.eu says 417 km2 and the Encyclopædia Britannica says "Area at high tide, 238 square miles (616 square km); at low tide, 366 square miles (948 square km)". A report by the Turks and Caicos Islands Department of Economic Planning and Statistics gives the same numbers as the Encyclopædia Britannica though its definitions are less clear.
  6. ^ "Britain suspends Turks and Caicos government". Retrieved 2009-08-14. [dead link]
  7. ^ a b "World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Turks and Caicos Islands : Overview". Minority Rights Group International, 2007.
  8. ^ "Encomienda or Slavery? The Spanish Crown's Choice of Labor Organization in Sixteenth-Century Spanish America." (PDF). Latin American Studies.
  9. ^ Paul Albury. (1975) The Story of the Bahamas. MacMillan Caribbean. ISBN 0-333-17131-4 pp. 34–37
  10. ^ Michael Craton. (1986) A History of the Bahamas. San Salvador Press. ISBN 0-9692568-0-9 pp. 17, 37–39
  11. ^ Julian Granberry and Gary S. Vescelius. (2004) Languages of the Pre-Columbian Antilles. The University of Alabama Press. ISBN 0-8173-5123-X pp. 80–86
  12. ^ William F. Keegan. (1992) The People Who Discovered Columbus: The Prehistory of the Bahamas. University Press of Florida. ISBN 0-8130-1137-X pp. 25, 48–62, 86, 170–173, 212–213, 220–223
  13. ^ Carl Ortwin Sauer. (1966, Fourth printing, 1992) The Early Spanish Main. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-01415-4 pp. 159–160, 191
  14. ^ Randolph E. Schmid, Associated Press, November 25, 2008.
  15. ^ "Biography from City Of Cambridge's Hall of Fame". City.cambridge.on.ca. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  16. ^ "Foreign Office news:A major step in clean up of public life in Turks and Caicos". fco.gov.uk. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  17. ^ "FCO Country Profile: Turks and Caicos: Politics". fco.gov.uk. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  18. ^ "STS-100 Shuttle Mission Imagery". Spaceflight.nasa.gov. 2001-05-01. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  19. ^ a b "at" (PDF). Depstc.org. Retrieved 2011-07-31.[dead link]
  20. ^ "Historical Fisheries Production And Trade Of The Turks And Caicos Island" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  21. ^ "Turks Caicos Bank Website » Mouchoir Bank". Turkscaicosbank.com. 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  22. ^ [1] Turks and Caicos, CIA - The world factbook
  23. ^ "Independence 'ultimate goal' for Turks & Caicos, says Chief Minister."[dead link] Caribbean Net News. 28 April 2006. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  24. ^ "Turks and Caicos politics: Evidently, when A.L. Hall speaks, people should listen."[dead link] Caribbean Net News. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  25. ^ Nick Meo. "Turks and Caicos: MPs criticise 'climate of fear' on luxury holiday islands." The Telegraph. 6 July 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  26. ^ "TCI Governor appoints Commission of Enquiry."[dead link] Cayman Net News. 14 July 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  27. ^ "Turks and Caicos premier faces rape investigation; calls allegations 'outrageous'." International Herald Tribune. 16 April 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  28. ^ Anthony Hall. "Commentary: TCI Premier Michael Misick accused of rape! (Updated)."[dead link] Caribbean Net News. 11 April 2008.
  29. ^ "UK Action over Turks and Caicos". BBC News. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  30. ^ The Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2009 SI 2009/701
  31. ^ a b "Turks and Caicos PM quits amid corruption probe". AFP. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
  32. ^ a b Anne Barrowclough (March 24, 2009). "Government suspended in overseas territory". London: The Times. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  33. ^ Free Press Editorial Board (23 March 2009). "Hon. Galmore Williams Sworn in as Premier". Turks & Caicos Free Press. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  34. ^ a b c d Edward Helmore (August 14, 2009). "Britain seizes control of scandal-hit dependency". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  35. ^ Jim Pickard (August 14, 2009). "UK to run Turks and Caicos isles". Financial Times. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  36. ^ Ethnologue report on Languages of Turks and Caicos Islands
  37. ^ Ethnologue report for Turks and Caicos Creole English
  38. ^ Languages of Turks and Caicos Islands from www.ethnologue.com
  39. ^ "CIA World Factbook". Central Intelligence Agency. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-03-06. {{cite web}}: Text "CIA World Factbook - Turks and Caicos Islands" ignored (help)
  40. ^ 'Turks and Caicos Cuisine' from www.visittci.com
  41. ^ a b "Department of Economic Planning & Statistics". Depstc.org. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  42. ^ "Department of Economic Planning & Statistics". Depstc.org. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  43. ^ "Eric Edmeades' Official Website". 2009-02-08. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  44. ^ "The Turks and Caicos Welcomes The Indy Racing League". 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
  45. ^ "The Turks and Caicos Music & Cultural Festival". 2008-04-21. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  46. ^ a b "The Turks and Caicos Music & Cultural Festival News Release". 2008-04-21. Archived from the original on 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  47. ^ http://www.kew.org/science/ukots/Pages/tci2ai.htm
  48. ^ http://www.kew.org/science/ukots/Pages/biodiv.htm
  49. ^ http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5682/
  50. ^ "Railways in the United Kingdom". Sinfin.net. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  51. ^ özgürKöy (2009-04-06). "suntci.com". suntci.com. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  52. ^ "tcifreepress.com". tcifreepress.com. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  53. ^ "timespub.tc". timespub.tc. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  54. ^ "s3magazine.com". s3magazine.com. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  55. ^ http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/index.html
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