World Factbook
Turks and Caicos Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the right half of the flag; the shield is yellow and displays a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and Turk's cap cactus
Capital
name
Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)
etymology
named after Sir Francis COCKBURN, who served as governor of the Bahamas from 1837 to 1844
time difference
UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
geographic coordinates
21 28 N, 71 08 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
several previous; latest signed 7 August 2012, effective 15 October 2012 (The Turks and Caicos Constitution Order 2011)
Country name
etymology
the Turks Islands are named after the Turk's cap cactus, which is native to the islands and appears on the flag and coat of arms; the name Caicos may derive from caya hico , a phrase meaning “string of islands” in the Lucayan (Arawak) language, or from the Spanish word cayo , meaning "rock"
abbreviation
TCA
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Turks and Caicos Islands
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and civil law
Government type
parliamentary democracy
Judicial branch
note
note: appeals beyond the Supreme Court are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and other judges, as determined by the governor); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 2 justices)
subordinate courts
magistrates' courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges appointed by the governor in accordance with the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body of high-level judicial officials; Supreme Court judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended to age 70; Appeals Court judge tenure determined by individual terms of appointment
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the governor from among members of the House of Assembly
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Dileeni Daniel-SELVARATNAM (since 29 June 2023)
head of government
Premier Washington MISICK (since 19 February 2021)
election/appointment process
the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor appoints the leader of the majority party as the premier
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK
Political parties
People's Democratic Movement or PDM Progressive National Party or PNP
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
21 (directly elected or appointed)
electoral system
mixed
legislature name
House of Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
2/07/2025
expected date of next election
2029
percentage of women in chamber
27.3%
parties elected and seats per party
PNP (16); PDM (2); independents (1)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a UK overseas territory
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
conch shell, Turk's cap cactus
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU