Cruising around Turks and Caicos IslandsBackgroundThe 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. GeographyLocation: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast
of The Bahamas, north of Haiti Coastline389 km Maritime claimsTerritorial sea: 12 nm ClimateTropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry TerrainLow, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps Elevation extremesLowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m EconomyThe 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 annual 93,000 visitors in the late 1990s. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts. TransportationAirports: 8 (2005) Sailing Specifics: Ports and terminalsGrand Turk, Providenciales Other Sailing Destinations in the RegionAnguilla - Antigua and Barbuda - Aruba - Bahamas - Barbados - British Virgin Islands - Cayman Islands - Cuba - Dominica - Dominican Republic - Grenada - Guadeloupe - Haiti - Jamaica - St. Kitts and Nevis - St. Lucia - Martinique - Montserrat - Netherlands Antilles - Puerto Rico - Trinidad and Tobago - Turks and Caicos - St. Vincent and the Grenadines - Virgin Islands (USA) Further Reading |
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