LocationCaribbean, southeast of The Bahamas.
Area430 sq km (166 sq miles).
Population26,000 (2005 census estimate).
Population Density44.2 per sq km.
CapitalGrand Turk.
Population: 3720 (official estimate 2003).
GovernmentBritish Overseas Territory since 1670. Gained internal autonomy in 1962.
Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by His Excellency Richard Tauwhare (with effect from 11 July 2005).
Head of Government: Premier Michael Eugene Misick since
2003.
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.
LanguageThe official language is English. Some Creole is spoken.
ReligionRoman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist and Pentecostal.
TimeGMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October).
Electricity120/240 volts AC, 60 Hz.
Head of GovernmentTelephoneIDD is available. Country code: 1 649. There is a good communications network run by
Cable & Wireless Ltd, with automatic exchange on all the islands. The local telephone directory lists charges for international calls. There is a 10 per cent 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 TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies.
InternetPublic access is available in Internet kiosks located at the airport and in Internet cafes around the islands.
MediaPostThe 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.
PressThe
Turks & Caicos Free Press,
Turks & Caicos Press and
The Turks & Caicos Weekly News are published weekly, and
The Times of the Islands Magazine quarterly.
Where, When, How is a travel magazine which appears monthly.
RadioRadio Turks and Caicos is government-run.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
12 Mar Commonwealth Day.
6 Apr Good Friday.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
28 May National Heroes’ Day.
11 Jun HM The Queen’s Birthday.
6 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.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Mar Commonwealth Day.
21 Mar Good Friday.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
26 May National Heroes’ Day.
9 Jun HM The Queen’s Birthday.
4 Aug Emancipation Day.
26 Sep National Youth Day.
13 Oct Columbus Day.
24 Oct International Human Rights Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
Contact Information:Diplomatic RepresentationThe Turks & Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory and are formally represented abroad by British diplomatic missions.
Turks & Caicos Islands Government and Tourist Information Office in the UK42 Westminster Palace Gardens, 1-7 Artillery Row, London, SW1P 1RR
Tel: (020) 7222 2669
Website:
www.turksandcaicostourism.com Governor's OfficeGovernor’s House, Waterloo, Grand Turk
Tel: (649) 946 2308/2909.
E-mail:
Governor_Office@gov.tc Caribbean Tourism Organization in the UK22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website:
www.doitcaribbean.com The UK Passport ServiceLondon 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: (appiontment only): Mon -Fri 0745-1900: Sat 0915-1515.
Turks and Caicos Tourist Information Office in the USA2715 East Oakland, Park Blvd, Suite 101, Ft Lauderdale, FL, 33306
Tel: (954) 565 6588.
Website:
www.turksandcaicostourism.com
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