|
Moving to the Turks & Caicos Islands |
Much of the following information is reproduced with the kind permission of the law firm Savory & Co.
Geography
A British Overseas Territory, the Turks and Caicos
Islands (TCI) comprise an archipelago of eight main
islands in two groups, the Turks to the east and the Caicos
to the west, and a number of smaller cays (pronounced
"keys"). Physically forming the south end of the Bahamas
chain, they are located between latitudes 21º
and 22º
north and longitudes 71º
and 72º 30´ west, just under 600 miles south-east of Miami,
Florida, and about 100 miles north of the Dominican
Republic and Haiti.
The total land area is approximately 166 square miles. TCI's main natural assets are its 230 miles of white sand beaches, and its coral reefs and ocean walls which are often hailed as offering some of the best diving in the world.
The capital of TCI is Cockburn Town in Grand Turk, and it is here among the main Government offices that the Companies Registry and the Financial Services Commission are based. Grand Turk and Salt Cay are the two inhabited islands of the Turks group.
One of the larger and the most thriving of the Caicos group is Providenciales, where steady development is taking place in the form of hotels, condominiums and other tourist-related projects as well as office and commercial complexes. The other inhabited islands in the Caicos group are North Caicos, Middle Caicos and South Caicos, whilst East Caicos and West Caicos remain uninhabited. In addition there is a chain of cays running between Providenciales and North Caicos, some of which are privately owned. These include Pine Cay, which has an exclusive hotel, airstrip and a number of large holiday homes, and Parrot Cay, where a first class hotel and resort has recently opened.
Climate
TCI enjoys year-round sunshine as well as a prevailing
easterly breeze provided by the Atlantic tradewinds which
keeps temperatures from becoming excessively hot. The most
popular time to visit TCI is over the winter months when
the sun continues to shine but the nights are cooler.
Temperatures in summer (April to September) average 87º
F (31º
C) and in winter (October
to March) 77º
F (25º
C). Rainfall averages 26
inches per annum in the Turks and 40 inches in the Caicos
Islands. The average humidity is a low 60%. Hurricane
season is between June and November, but the risk of TCI
being hit directly is low. The last major hurricane to pass
directly over the islands was in 1960.
History
A well-documented case has been made by academics that
Grand Turk is the place where Christopher Columbus first
made landfall after crossing the Atlantic in search of the
New World. This honour has been traditionally bestowed on
Watling's Island in the Bahamas, now San Salvador, the name
given by Columbus to the island where he landed and called
Guanahani by its indian inhabitants. Study of Columbus's
journals and various other sources show that his
descriptions of Guanahani much more closely fit Grand Turk
than they do San Salvador.
It is known that the Spanish explorer Ponce de León came to the Islands in 1512, when they were inhabited by Arawak indians. The Spanish took away the indians to use as slave labour and left the islands uninhabited. Bermudians came to the islands in the 17th century and established what was to become TCI's principal industry for the next 300 years - the production of salt from brine. The islands came under British rule in 1766.
The salt industry was based in Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos, where large inland ponds, now called salinas, were converted into a system of salt pans where salt water was evaporated and the remaining crystals raked up. Now defunct, TCI's salt industry once supplied much of the demand of the western world. A legacy of the Bermudian settlement is the architecture of the old buildings still remaining in the "salt islands", the Front Street of Grand Turk being particularly attractive.
Large tracts of land in the lower Bahamas and the Caicos Islands were granted by Britain to American Loyalists after the War of Independence by way of recognition of their services to the Crown. These tracts were farmed as cotton and sisal plantations, but after emancipation many of the planters left the land to their erstwhile African slaves. Thus today the prominent families of the islands are those who through the generations have inherited large parcels of land from their predecessors.
The origin of the name "Turks" has two possible explanations. Usually the name is said to come from the Turk's Head Cactus which grows in the island group, a squat cactus with a red fez-shaped flower-head. Another theory is that the name originates from the French and Spanish use of the word to describe the buccaneers who in the 16th and 17th centuries used the islands to hide out. The word "Caicos" comes from the French "caiques" perhaps influenced by the Spanish "cayos"; both mean "cays", and both appear on various ancient charts. On a 1794 English chart, the names "The Corcos" and "Les Caquis" are given.
Population
The total population of TCI is approximately 32,000, of
which Grand Turk has about 6,000 and Providenciales about
25,000. The indigenous population is of African origin. The
expatriate population consists mainly of Commonwealth
nationals, Americans, European and Caribbean nationals. The
official language is English.
Time Zone
TCI are five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time, and exactly
follow the United States in both Eastern Standard Time and
Eastern Daylight-Saving Time.
Currency
The unit of currency is the United States dollar (US$). TCI
coins are minted for commemorative and numismatic purposes.
Economy
The mainstays of TCI's economy are tourism, the offshore
industry and the fishing industry. There is no form of
income taxation in TCI, and the chief sources of Government
revenue are customs duty and stamp duty, the bulk of the
latter coming from real estate transactions. Virtually
everything is imported and on most items import duty is
collected at 33% ad valorem. Stamp duty on land purchases
is at the rate of 6.5% on transactions up to US$75,000 and
9.75% on transactions over US$75,000. Revenues also derive
from other indirect taxes such as accommodation tax payable
on hotel rooms, work permit fees, and of course the fees
generated by the offshore industry.
A National Insurance Scheme is in place, which involves contributions from employers and employees of 4.6% and 3.4% respectively (calculated on a maximum of US$2,600 per month).
Political Environment
TCI enjoys a stable political environment and has the one
of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean. Whilst the
British Government is represented through a Governor, Chief
Secretary, Attorney-General and a number of other
expatriate officers, TCI is to a large degree
self-governing through a form of ministerial government
elected at general elections held every four years. The two
main political parties are the ruling Progressive
National Party (PNP) and the opposition
People's Democratic
Movement (PDM). The legislature of TCI consists of Her Majesty
the Queen and a Legislative Council comprising thirteen
elected members, three members appointed by the Governor,
the Chief Secretary and the Attorney-General. A Premier and five
Ministers are appointed from among the elected members of
the Legislative Council. The executive arm of Government is
Executive Council, which has nine members, being the
Governor, the six Ministers, and the two ex officio members
(the Chief Secretary and the
Attorney-General).
Legal System
The TCI legal system is based on the English model, but
unlike England has a written Constitution which includes
provisions for the protection of fundamental rights and
freedoms. Most of the law derives from Ordinances passed in
Legislative Council and to a much lesser extent from
legislation specially extended to TCI by Britain. To the
extent statutory law does not apply or requires
interpretation, the common law of England applies.
The court system comprises the Magistrate's Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal (all of which sit in TCI), and the Privy Council in England as the final appellate body. The Supreme Court is vested with the same jurisdiction and powers as the High Court of England.
Communications
Telecommunications are provided under a franchise agreement
by the UK-based Cable & Wireless group,
though Ireland's
Digicel has become a significant force in the mobile
market since the relaxing of the communications monopoly. All modern
telecommunications services are provided on the fully
digital national network, including telefax and modem
lines, dedicated lines, state-of-the-art telephone systems,
worldwide direct-dialing, call recording, call waiting, and
call forwarding.
Broadcasting
Television is commonly provided via a cable system offering
a wide range of mostly US-based channels. The local
provider, WIV Cable, offers a range of packages to suite
most tastes. There are six channels of FM radio, including two
local stations and three re-broadcast via satellite from
the USA. Satellite television is becoming increasingly
popular in the island.
Weights and Measures
TCI uses the same measures as in the USA: avoirdupois
weights, feet and inches, US gallons.
Electrical System
TCI uses the same electrical system as the USA: 110 volts,
60 hertz. Sockets and plugs are as in the USA.
Water
Most residences use rainwater catchment as their source of
water, although mains supply (at US$0.04
per gallon) is now available along the main routes. If it
becomes necessary to purchase desalinated water, the cost
is approximately US$160 per load of 2,600 US gallons.
Clothing and Personal Effects
The standard of attire is that which would normally be worn
in an office environment. In the case of men, long
trousers, shirt and tie are obligatory. Members of staff
should have at least one suit (men) or formal outfit
(women) for formal occasions, casually elegant clothes for
social occasions, and of course ample beachwear. The
selection of merchandise in TCI is limited. It is sensible
to pack goods such as clothing, music, reading materials,
sports equipment (snorkel, mask and fins are essential) and
toiletries before leaving for TCI, or buy them in Miami.
Driving
The traffic system is as in the UK, with driving on the
left side of the road. However virtually all vehicles are
imported from the USA, and therefore have the steering
wheel on the left side. There are no traffic lights. The
top allowable speed is 40 mph. Foreign driving licences are
legitimate for a period of 30 days, and are accepted as the
basis of issue of a TCI licence.
Transport
There is no scheduled public transport in TCI, and
ownership of a motor vehicle is essential. Cars may be
imported from Miami or purchased locally. For a car in
reasonable
condition, the cost in TCI is
approximately US$7,000.
Customs duty on cars varies according to engine capacity: 25% up to 2,000 cc, 35% up to 4,000 cc, and 45% over 4,000 cc. Duty is levied on the assessed value of the vehicle and the shipping cost. The use of motorcycles is generally not recommended.
Cost of
living
Because of the necessity to import practically all goods,
the cost of living in TCI is comparatively high. A single
person might expect to pay approximately US$240 per week
for groceries and other supplies. Rent for a one-bedroom
apartment starts at about US$1000,
and at about
US$1,800 for a self-contained house. Landlords may require the equivalent of
three months' rent in advance, though this can sometimes be
negotiated to two. Gasoline is approximately
US$5.10 per US gallon.
Electricity is charged at US$0.24
per kilowatt-hour (approximately US$100
per month for a single person), with an initial connection
charge of US$350. For telecommunications,
international rates to,
say the UK,
are US$0.60 per minute, and
US$0.50 at weekends. The cost of
connection to the cable television system is between
US$50 and US$120 per month
depending on package.
Banking
Retail banking services are provided by First Caribbean International Bank (an Associated Company
of Barclays Bank PLC and CIBC), TCI Bank and Bank of Nova Scotia.
The opening of a new account at one of the retail banks requires evidence of the identity of each signatory, which will usually be in the form of a copy of the relevant pages of his or her passport, as well as a suitable reference from another bank.
There is no restriction on the movement of funds into or out of TCI, and the fact that TCI's currency is the US dollar further facilitates money transfers. Foreign cheques and bank drafts may be deposited at banks in TCI, although clearance takes from three to six weeks.
Recreation
All forms of water-sports are available (but note that
spearguns and Hawaiian slings are prohibited). There are
several tennis courts and an 18-hole championship golf
course on Providenciales. Membership of the Provo Golf Club
costs US$3,600 per annum (plus US$440 cart fees), green
fees are US$130 per
round (including cart). Touch rugby is played twice a week and both men's
and ladies soccer is played on weekdays and at weekends. There are several restaurants, bars, and
nightclubs. Generally there is a good social atmosphere among the
resident professional community.
Travel
Travel to and from TCI is principally by air. There are
international airports on Providenciales and Grand Turk, and domestic
airports on each of the other inhabited islands. The
principal gateway to TCI is Miami, with American Airlines
providing regular 90-minute jet service to Providenciales.
Delta Air Lines flies to Providenciales from Atlanta once a day,
US Air flies to Providenciales once a day from Charlotte,
Spirit Airlines flies to Providenciales once a day from
Fort Lauderdale, and British Airways flies to
Providenciales through Nassau, Bahamas on Sundays only.
Domestic airlines offer scheduled services to the Bahamas,
Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico. Several
air charter companies also provide both international and
domestic services. Regular air and sea freight services
operate out of south Florida.
Immigration
Immigration is governed by the Immigration Ordinance, which
recognises "Belonger" status and "Permanent Resident"
status, both of which involve freedom from restriction on
period of residence and the requirement for a work permit.
Persons having "Belonger" status include those who are born
in TCI having a parent who is a Belonger, or born outside
TCI having a parent and a grandparent who are Belongers,
and those who receive such status by grant from the
Governor or through marriage to a Belonger. The status of
Permanent Resident may be granted to persons of substance
who have lived in TCI for several years or who make a
significant investment in a project approved by Government
as being of benefit to the islands.
Freight
G & G Shipping
750 NE 7th Avenue
Dania, FL 33004
Tel: +1 954 920 9292
Fax: +1 954 922 8316
Turks Island Shipping Line (TISL)
1580 SE 26th Street
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: +1 954 767 9990
Fax: +1 954 767 9991
Turks Air
6111 NW 72nd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33166
Phone: (305) 593-8847
Fax: (305) 871-1622
Tropical Shipping
Cargo Express Service
Limited
South Dock Road
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands
Phone: 649 941-5006
Fax: 649 941-5062
Email:
csimmons@tropical.com
Other Sources of Information
See, amongst others on
the 'Links' page,
May 2008