The Turks and Caicos -- consisting of 40 islands, eight of which are inhabited, and many cays -- are about 600 miles south of Miami. They are part of islands in the Caribbean known as the British West Indies and cover 166 square miles.
About 36,000 people live in the Turks and Caicos year-round. Of this number, 22,500 live on Providenciales in the Caicos Islands.
Because the Turks and Caicos are a British Overseas Territory, the United Kingdom governs them. In 2009, the United Kingdom suspended the islands' right to govern themselves, amid charges of government corruption there.
English is the official language of the Turks and Caicos, although Creole is also spoken by some.
The residents belong to a variety of religions, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, and Seventh-day Adventist.
Tourism and offshore financial services provide most of income for the Turks and Caicos. Chief exports, mainly to the United Kingdom and the United States, are lobster, dried and fresh conch, and conch shells.
