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The Turks and Caicos Islands are a small non-sovereign territory of Great Britain in the West Indies with a population of 32,000. Tourism and offshore financial services are the main sources of income, and the islands are a popular destination for weddings and luxury resorts.
The Turks and Caicos Islands, also known as the TCI, are a group of islands located in the West Indies. They have a total area of 161 sq mi (417 sq km), making the territory one of the smallest in the world. The islands have a total population of 32,000, with a very small percentage living in the capital, Cockburn Town.
There are 28 islands in this territory, of which only eight are large enough to be inhabited. The Turks Islands, where the capital is located, are the smallest of all groups. The Caicos Islands occupy the majority of the total land area and are home to the largest city in the territory, Providenciales. This city has a population of over 20,000, an international airport, a national museum and important shops.
The Turks and Caicos Islands gained independence from the West Indies Federation in 1973, although they remain a non-sovereign territory of Great Britain, with Queen Elizabeth II recognized as head of state, at least in name. The islands have a governor and their own premier (prime minister), who oversee the political and economic needs of the territory. The official language is English and most people practice Protestantism.
The main economic engine of the islands is tourism. Nearly 1000,000 foreigners visit each year, a large percentage of whom are from the United States. This may be partly because the island’s official currency is the US dollar, making it easier to couple the local economy with that of the United States. Offshore financial services also provide a large source of income for the government.
Of the islands’ workforce, 53% are unskilled, working in the fishing or agricultural sector. The islands are also a popular destination for exotic weddings, a fact that has been well exploited by the local tourism industry. Expensive resorts dot the coast in the major islands. Hollywood stars, millionaires and other public figures from around the world own villas on the smaller islands, taking advantage of the privacy that the location offers.
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