Turks and Caicos Islands: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Turks and Caicos Islands |
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Background:
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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 | Turks and Caicos Islands |
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Location:
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Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti |
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Geographic coordinates:
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21 45 N, 71 35 W |
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Map references:
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Central America and the Caribbean |
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Area:
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total: 430 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 430 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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2.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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389 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry |
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Terrain:
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low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Hills 49 m |
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Natural resources:
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spiny lobster, conch |
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Land use:
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arable land: 2.3%
permanent crops: 0% other: 97.7% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km |
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Natural hazards:
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frequent hurricanes |
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Environment - current issues:
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limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater |
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Geography - note:
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about 40 islands (eight inhabited) |