Turks and Caicos Islands

Facts & Figures
Map of Turks and Caicos Islands
Status: Overseas territory Governor: Richard Tauwhare (2005) Chief Minister: Michael Misick (2003) Total area: 166 sq mi (430 sq km) Population (2007 est.): 21,746 (growth rate: 2.7%); birth rate: 21.5/1000; infant mortality rate: 14.7/1000; life expectancy: 75.0; density per sq mi: 131 Capital (2003 est.): Cockburn Town, 5,000 Monetary unit: U.S. dollar More Facts & Figures

These two groups of islands are near the Bahamas in the Caribbean. The principal islands in the Turks group are Grand Turk and Salt Cay; the principal islands in the Caicos group are South Caicos, East Caicos, Middle (or Grand) Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, and West Caicos. The islands were not settled by Europeans until 1678, when British colonists from Bermuda established a salt-panning industry. The islands were at first placed under the Bahamian government, but in 1874 they became dependencies of the colony of Jamaica. Following Jamaica's independence, they became a British Crown colony. The salt production industry, the islands' economic mainstay, ceased in 1964 and gave way to tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing.

See also Encyclopedia: Turks and Caicos Islands .

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