Turks and Caicos Islands:
Geography

Other pages in this profile of the Turks and Caicos Islands:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	Definition The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory.

Location	Definition Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti
Geographic coordinates	Definition 21 45 N, 71 35 W
Map references	Definition Central America and the Caribbean
Area	Definition - World rank and map total: 430 sq km land: 430 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative	Definition 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries	Definition 0 km
Coastline	Definition 389 km
Maritime claims	Definition territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate	Definition tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
Terrain	Definition low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
Elevation extremes	Definition lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Hills 49 m
Natural resources	Definition spiny lobster, conch
Land use	Definition - World rank and map arable land: 2.33% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.67% (2005)
Irrigated land	Definition NA
Natural hazards	Definition frequent hurricanes
Environment - current issues	Definition limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
Geography - note	Definition about 40 islands (eight inhabited)

Turks and Caicos Islands: Geography

Turks and Caicos Islands:
Geography