Turks and Caicos Islands Travel Guide

Turks and Caicos Islands — Country and Tourist Information

Browse the Turks and Caicos Islands Photo Gallery

Country Facts

Location: Caribbean, southeast of The Bahamas.
Language: The official language is English. Some Creole is spoken.
Area: 430 sq km (166 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60 Hz.
Population: 36,605 (2008).
Population Density: 77 per sq km.
Capital City: Cockburn town, Grand Turk.
Government: British Overseas Territory since 1670. Gained internal autonomy in 1962.
Head of Government: Office of premier vacant. Since 2009, when parts of the constitution were suspended, the governor has assumed temporary responsibility for the islands’ government.
Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Gordon Wetherell since 2008.
Religion: Christian, represented by several denominations, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist and Pentecostal.

Recent History

The name Turks comes from the indigenous Turk's Head fez cactus, while the name Caicos derives from the Lucayan term caya hico, meaning ‘string of islands’.

There is evidence that the islands were inhabited as far back as AD700, but the identity of the first European to set eyes on them is disputed. Some say it was Columbus in 1492; others lay claim to Ponce de León, 20 years later. Whoever first discovered the islands, they fell under British ownership in the 18th century, becoming a British dependency in 1962. The islands are now officially designated a British Overseas Territory.

At the 2007 parliamentary elections, the ruling Progressive National Party (PNP) won a second term in government, taking 13 of the 15 seats available in parliament. However, following concerns over corruption and malpractice, parts of the constitution were suspended by the British government in August 2009, resulting in the dissolution of the elected Cabinet and the House of Assembly. An interim Advisory Council and Consultative Forum, both appointed by the governor, are in place until new elections can be held.

Communications

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 cafés around the islands.

Media

Newspapers Turks & Caicos Free Press, Turks & Caicos Sun and The Turks & Caicos Weekly News are published weekly. The Times of the Islands, a showcase for the islands' culture and environment, is published quarterly. Where, When, How is a travel magazine which appears regularly. Turks and Caicos Television is the islands' only TV station; broader-based cable and satellite TV are available, and stations from the Bahamas can be picked up. In addition to the government-run Radio Turks and Caicos, there are a few local music radio stations.

Post

The General Post Office is on Grand Turk, with sub-offices on North Caicos, South Caicos and Providenciales. Airmail to Western Europe takes five days.Mon-Thurs 0800-1600, Fri 0800-1530.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
14 Mar Commonwealth Day
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
30 May National Heroes’ Day
13 Jun Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday
1 Aug Emancipation Day
30 Sep National Youth Day
10 Oct Columbus Day
24 Oct International Human Rights Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
12 Mar Commonwealth Day
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
28 May National Heroes’ Day
10 Jun Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday
1 Aug Emancipation Day
28 Sep National Youth Day
8 Oct Columbus Day
24 Oct International Human Rights Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day