The Turks and Caicos Islands are a group of 30 tropical Islands situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, south-east off the archipelago of The Bahamas. The total land mass extends to some 430 sq. Km. 

Six of the Islands are inhabited. Grand Turk, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales and Salt Cay. 

The Islands were first discovered by the Spanish in 1512, and remained uninhabited until British settlers from Bermuda established a salt panning industry in 1678. Eventually the British secured the Islands in 1766 against French and Spanish claims.

Population

The population if the Turks and Caicos Islands is approximately 14,000, of which nearly 90% are of African descent. 

Political Structure

The Turks and Caicos Islands were, until 1962, a dependency of Jamaica. They were then annexed to the Bahamas, and in 1973 became a British Crown protectorate, with H.M. Queen Elizabeth II acting as Head of State. The Queen is represented by a Lt. Governor. The Government system consists of two Houses. The Lower House, The Legislative Council, has twenty seats, of which thirteen are elected by universal suffrage every five years and ex-officio members. The Upper House, The Executive Council consists of a Chief Minister, four members appointed by the Governor and three ex-officio members, including the Governor.

In 1986, the Constitution was amended by the enactment of The Interim Amendment Order 1986, which granted special powers to the Governor. These included:

 
• the power to summon the Executive Council 
• the power to suspend the Speaker of the Legislative Council defence matters
• external affairs
• immigration matters
• internal security and police forces 
• appointment, suspension and dismissal of public officers 
• secure the control of public finances

The Economy is based primarily on fishing which includes Crayfish and Conch (flesh and shell). The only farming undertaken is subsistence farming of corn, cassava, citrus and beans. Most other produce and non-food products are imported. Tourism has now become an important source of foreign exchange. In 1984 the Turks and Caicos Islands introduced the Companies Ordinance which was the foundation of the Island's Finance Centre. In 1989, the Ordinance was amended to provide the Exempt Company. 

The Islands enjoy relatively modern telecommunication systems, and there are frequent flights to neighbouring Islands and to the United States of America.

Language

The official and spoken language is English, although French Creole is also spoken.

Currency

U.S. Dollar.

Exchange Control

None.

Type of Law

Common Law. Based on English Common Law with some old Bahamian and Jamaican statutes and locally enacted statutes.