Quick Facts
Fast Facts for Easy Living
Turks and Caicos is a lesser know territory in the Caribbean, however, this plays as an advantage to what many have coined the “last paradise on earth”. Since the population of TCI, as Turks and Caicos Islands is affectionately known, is around 36,000, it lacks the kind of human resources and indigenous infrastructure to be a self-sustaining independent nation. Therefore, TCI remains a crown colony– an overseas territory— of the United Kingdom which overseas the entire TCI government, judicial system and economy. Recently, in fact, TCI’s British parent suspended her government, and replaced the ministerial assembly with incumbent governor, Gordon Wetherell, due to allegations of corruption. This, of course, means that the official language is English even though the US Dollar is the official currency. Interestingly, Anglicans makes up only 18 percent of the population while Baptists, Methodists and Church of God make up 40, 14 and 12 percent, respectively. Various denominations round out the remaining 14 percent. Electric outlets are also North American running at 60Hz 110-120 volts a/c. The calling code is +649 and TCI uses the postal code BWI. The internet TLD is .tc.
Regarding geography, TCI is a string of islands around 430 sq km that is contiguous to the Bahamas. TCI is located in the UTC-5 (EST) time zone. Turks and Caicos is a string of islands in the British West Indies that are separated into two main island groups– Turks and Caicos. The largest island is Providenciales in the Caicos, and most of the tourist activity occurs here. Grand Turk island retains the capitol, though, Cockburn Town. TCI has the fastest growing economy in the Caribbean, and has been rapidly emerging as a Caribbean hotspot for tourism and offshore investing. Given TCI is only 575 miles southeast of Miami (an hour flight); it is easily accessible by plane and boat. And, of course, TCI has pristine white sand, lots and lots of sand. TCI possesses top-ranked, world-acclaimed beaches surrounded serene tropical forests making TCI the most attractive of destinations for vacationers and business types alike.
When traveling to TCI it is important to note that peak season in Turks and Caicos runs roughly from December through April. Off season runs roughly from June through November. Remember, June through October is hurricane season. Also to remember, a passport is required for US citizens but no passport is required for Canadian citizens.
Whatever season one travels, whatever purpose for the travel, Turks and Caicos promises to deliver on perhaps the most memorable destination of a lifetime.
