Cruising around Turks and Caicos Islands

Background

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.

Geography

Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti
Geographic coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 430 sq km
Land: 430 sq km

Coastline

389 km

Maritime claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate

Tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry

Terrain

Low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

Elevation extremes

Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Highest point: Blue Hills 49 m

Economy

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 annual 93,000 visitors in the late 1990s. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.

Transportation

Airports: 8 (2005)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2
Roadways: total: 121 km

Sailing Specifics: Ports and terminals

Grand Turk, Providenciales 

Other Sailing Destinations in the Region

Anguilla - 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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