ependence:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Constitution:
introduced 30 August 1976, suspended in 1986, and a Constitutional
Commission is currently reviewing its contents
Legal system:
based on laws of England and Wales with a small number adopted from Jamaica
and The Bahamas
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)
Political parties and leaders:
Progressive National Party (PNP), Washington MISSIC; People's Democratic
Movement (PDM), Oswald SKIPPINGS; National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Ariel
MISSICK
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
Legislative Council:
last held on 3 April 1991 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (20 total, 13 elected) PNP 8, PDM 5
Executive branch:
British monarch, governor, Executive Council, chief minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Council
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor Michael
J. BRADLEY (since NA 1987)
Head of Government:
Chief Minister Washington MISSIC (since NA 1991)
Member of:
CARICOM (associate), CDB
Diplomatic representation in US:
as a dependent territory of the UK, the interests of the Turks and Caicos
Islands are represented in the US by the UK
US diplomatic representation:
none
Flag:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the
colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow
and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus

*Turks and Caicos Islands, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and offshore banking. Only
subsistence farming - corn, cassava, citrus, and beans - exists on the
Caicos Islands, so that most foods, as well as nonfood products, must be
imported.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $68.5 million (1989 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$5,000 (1989 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
12% (1992)
Budget:
revenues $20.3 million; expenditures $44.0 million, including capital
expenditures of $23.9 million (1989)
Exports:
$4.1 million (f.o.b., 1987)
commodities:
lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
partners:
US, UK
Imports:
$33.2 million (c.i.f., FY84)
commodities:
foodstuffs, drink, tobacco, clothing, manufactures,