Short facts about the geography of Turks and Caicos Islands

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

Area:

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

Maritime claims:

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

Elevation extremes:

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

Natural resources:

spiny lobster, conch

Land use:

arable land:  2% permanent crops:  0% permanent pastures:  0% forests and woodland:  0% other:  98% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

frequent hurricanes

Environment - current issues:

limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater

Geography - note:

30 islands (eight inhabited)

Source: World Factbook