Turks and Caicos Country & Tourist Information

Location
Caribbean, southeast of The Bahamas.

Area
430 sq km (166 sq miles).

Population
26,000 (2005 estimate).

Population Density
44.2 per sq km.

Capital
Grand Turk.
Population: 3,720 (official estimate 2003).

Government
British Overseas Territory since 1670. Gained internal autonomy in 1962.

Language
The official language is English. Some Creole is spoken.

Religion
Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist and Pentecostal.

Time
GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October).

Electricity
120/240 volts AC, 60 Hz.

Head of Government
Premier Michael Eugene Misick since 2003.

Head of State
HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by His Excellency Richard Tauwhare since 2005. 

Recent History
The ruling Progressive National Party (PNP) won a second term in government following parliamentary elections in February 2007. The party originally came to power in 2003 after eight years in opposition. The PNP holds 13 of the 15 seats available in parliament.

Telephone
Country code: 1 649. There is a good communications network run by Cable & Wireless, with automatic exchange on all the islands. The local telephone directory lists charges for international calls. There is a 10% tax on all calls. Public card-phones are in operation on all the islands; phonecards are available from Cable & Wireless and outlets near phone booths. Cheap rates are in operation Mon-Fri 1900-0600 and Sat-Sun all day.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies.

Internet
Public access is available in Internet kiosks located at the airport and in Internet cafes around the islands.

Media


Post
The General Post Office is on Grand Turk, with sub-offices in South Caicos, Salt Cay and Providenciales. Airmail to Western Europe takes 5 days.

Post office hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1630, Fri 0800-1600.

Press
• The Turks & Caicos Free Press, Turks & Caicos Press and The Turks & Caicos Weekly News are published weekly.
• The Times of the Islands Magazine is published quarterly.
• Where, When, How is a travel magazine which appears monthly.

Radio
• Radio Turks and Caicos is government run.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
10 Mar Commonwealth Day. 
10 Apr Good Friday. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
25 May National Heroes' Day. 
8 Jun HM The Queen's Birthday. 
3 Aug Emancipation Day.
25 Sep National Youth Day.
12 Oct Columbus Day.
24 Oct International Human Rights Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
10 Mar Commonwealth Day. 
2 Apr Good Friday. 
5 Apr Easter Monday.
25 May National Heroes' Day. 
7 Jun HM The Queen's Birthday. 
2 Aug Emancipation Day.
24 Sep National Youth Day.
11 Oct Columbus Day.
24 Oct International Human Rights Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

Contact Information:

Diplomatic Representation
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory and are formally represented abroad by British diplomatic missions.

Governor's Office
Governor’s House, Waterloo, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
Tel: (649) 946 2308/2909.
E-mail: Governor_Office@gov.tc

The UK Passport Service
London Passport Office, Globe House, 89 Ecclestone Square, London SW1V 1PN, UK
Tel: 0870 521 0410 (24-hour national advice line).
Website: www.ukpa.gov.uk 
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0745-1900; Sat 0915-1515 (appointment only).

Turks & Caicos Islands Government and Tourist Information Office in the UK
42 Westminster Palace Gardens, 1-7 Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RR, UK
Tel: (020) 7222 2669.
Website: www.turksandcaicostourism.com

Caribbean Tourism Organization in the UK
22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com

Turks and Caicos Tourist Information Office in the USA
2715 East Oakland, Park Blvd, Suite 101, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33306, USA
Tel: (954) 565 6588.
Website: www.turksandcaicostourism.com


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