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The Turks and Caicos Islands, a British overseas territory, enjoys one of the more dynamic economies in the West Indies. Tourism and offshore finance have replaced salt production as the main sources of prosperity for the low-lying islands and cays. However, the British government imposed direct rule in August 2009 after a commission of enquiry found evidence of widespread corruption among the ruling elite.
Overview
Thousands of overseas companies are registered in the islands. In 2002 Turks and Caicos was removed from a list of countries and territories considered to be uncooperative tax havens by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which seeks to end harmful tax practices around the globe. However, by 2009 it remained on the OECD's grey list of those who say they will comply with rules on sharing tax information but have yet to act.
Watery attractions: Diving and big-game fishing are popular
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Upmarket tourism is centred on Providenciales, or Provo. Coral reefs and 200 miles of beaches draw holidaymakers and divers, mostly from the US and Canada. But over-development is a concern; some fragile eco-systems, including wetlands and lagoons, are designated as protected areas. There is little agriculture, though the territory is home to the world's only conch farm. The molluscs are exported. Independence moves in the 1980s ended when a pro-dependency government was elected. Islanders have British citizenship. The territory enjoys strong links with Canada and politicians have occasionally mooted a political and economic union. Once a dependency of Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos Islands became a crown colony upon Jamaican independence in 1962. The original inhabitants were Taino indians; later arrivals included slaves, brought from Africa to work on cotton plantations. Their descendants make up a majority of the population. Wealthy retirees are among the more recent settlers. At the other end of the economic scale, migrants come from impoverished Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In turn, thousands of Turks and Caicos citizens take advantage of job prospects in the neighbouring Bahamas.
Facts
- Territory: Turks and Caicos Islands
- Status: British overseas territory
- Population: 30,600 (via UN, 2006)
- Area: 430 sq km (166 sq miles)
- Capital: Cockburn Town, on Grand Turk
- Major language: English
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy: 72 years (men), 76 years (women)
- Monetary unit: US dollar = 100 cents
- Main exports: Lobster, conch
- GNI per capita: US$10,346 (2002)
- Internet domain: .tc
- International dialling code: +1 649
Leaders
Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor Gordon Wetherell - Government and elected assembly suspended.
Premier: Galmore Williams (suspended) Galmore Williams assumed office in March 2009 when his predecessor, Michael Misick, resigned as the British government moved to restore direct rule. The British government has put its governor in control after a commission of enquiry set up by the Foreign Office in London said it found evidence pointing towards corruption or serious dishonesty in the islands' administration.
Former premier Michael Misick stepped down in March 2009
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Critics of Mr Misick say he ran the islands like a personal fiefdom, and politicians on the islands are accused of making money from the sale of government-owned crown land. Mr Misick has denied claims of selling crown land for personal gain, and has said he has attracted valuable foreign investments to the island territory. His term of office was accompanied by a resort-building boom. Normally the territory is internally self-governing; the governor oversees foreign affairs, defence and offshore finance. Power is exercised by an elected legislative council and an appointed executive council.
Media
Local news and information is available via cable TV. Broadcasters from the Bahamas can be picked up. The press Television Radio
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