Geography of Turks and Caicos

source: CIA World Fact Book 1997

Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas

Geographic coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

• total: 430 sq km
• land: 430 sq km
• water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 389 km

• exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
• territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry

Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

• lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
• highest point: Blue Hills 49 m

Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch

• arable land : 2%
• permanent crops: NA%
• permanent pastures: NA%
• forests and woodland: NA%
• other: 98% (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes

Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater

Geography - note: 30 islands (eight inhabited) -+