Caribbean, southeast of The Bahamas.

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

430 sq km (166 sq miles).

26,000 (2005 census estimate).

44.2 per sq km.

Grand Turk. Population: 3720 (official estimate 2003).

The Turks & Caicos Islands are an archipelago of 40 islands (8 of which are inhabited) forming the southeastern end of the Bahamas chain. There are two principal groups, each surrounded by a continuous coral reef. Caicos is the larger group and includes Providenciales, Middle (or Grand) Caicos, and the islands of North, South, East and West Caicos, plus numerous small cays, some of which are inhabited. The Turks group, separated by a 35km- (22 mile-) wide channel of water, consists of Grand Turk, Salt Cay and a number of small uninhabited cays.

The British Monarch is Head of State, represented locally by a Governor who is responsible for defence and foreign affairs as well as internal security. The internal government comprises Legislative and Executive Councils. The former consists of a speaker, three ex-officio members of the Executive Council, three appointees, and 11 members elected by universal adult suffrage. The Executive Council consists of a Chief Minister and four other Ministers drawn from the Legislative Council, plus three appointees to the posts of Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary and Attorney-General.

British 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: Chief Minister Michael Eugene Misick since 2003. Recent history: The British Monarch is Head of State, represented locally by a Governor who is responsible for defence and foreign affairs as well as internal security. The internal Government comprises Legislative and Executive Councils. The former consists of a speaker, three ex-officio members of the Executive Council, three appointees, and 11 members elected by universal adult suffrage. The Executive Council consists of a Chief Minister and four other Ministers drawn from the Legislative Council, plus three appointees to the posts of Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary and Attorney-General.
The ruling People's Democratic Party (PDM) won a third term at the general elections on 24 April 2003. However, the opposition Progressive National Party (PNP) filed election petitions against the results in two of the thirteen constituencies. On 19 June 2003, the Chief Justice declared the results in both districts void. As a result, a fresh election was required in each one. This put the governing PDM in a minority in the Legislative Council. The Chief Minister, the Hon Derek Taylor, asked the Governor to dissolve the Legislative Council and to call a new general election. The Governor, acting in accordance with the Constitution, told the leaders of both parties on 23 June 2003 that he was denying both the PDM’s request for a new general election and the PNP’s request for the immediate appointment of their Leader as Chief Minister, and that he would issue writs for by-elections in the two constituencies affected to be held on 7 August 2003. The PNP won both seats in the by-elections giving them a majority of 8-5 in the Legislative Council. Derek Taylor resigned as Chief Minister on 15 August 2003. Michael Misick was sworn in as Chief Minister on the same day.

The official language is English. Some Creole is spoken.

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

Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Hospitality is important and, when visiting someone's home, normal social courtesies should be observed - if possible, a return invitation should be made. A souvenir from home is well received. Informal dress is accepted for most events, but beachwear should be confined to the beach.

120/240 volts AC, 60 Hz.