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(opens in new window) The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican
colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony
upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs
from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a
separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982,
the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory. Caribbean, two island groups in the North
Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti 21 45 N, 71 35 W total: 430 sq
km tropical; marine; moderated by trade
winds; sunny and relatively dry low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and
mangrove swamps lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m spiny lobster, conch arable land:
2.33% NA sq km frequent hurricanes limited natural fresh water resources,
private cisterns collect rainwater about 40 islands (eight inhabited)
19,956 (July 2004 est.) noun: none
black 90%, mixed, European, or North
American 10% Baptist 40%, Methodist 16%, Anglican 18%,
Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990) English (official) destination and transit point for illegal
Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and US
overseas territory of the UK Grand Turk (Cockburn Town) based on laws of England and Wales, with a
few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas The Turks and Caicos economy is based on
tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital goods and
food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of
tourists, accounting for more than half of the 93,000 visitors in the late
1990s. Major sources of government revenue include fees from offshore
financial activities and customs receipts. Tourism fell by 6% in 2002.
4,848 (1990 est.) about 33% in government and 20% in
agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and
other services 10% (1997 est.) corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus
fruits; fish tourism, offshore financial services
lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch
shells US, UK food and beverages, tobacco, clothing,
manufactures, construction materials US, UK US dollar (USD) 5,700 (2002) 1,700 (1999) general assessment:
fair cable and radiotelephone services total: 121 km
Grand Turk, Providenciales none 8 (2003 est.) total: 6 total: 2 defence is the responsibility of the UK
have received Haitians fleeing economic
collapse and civil unrest transshipment point for South American
narcotics destined for the US and Europe |
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