Geography
The Turks and Caicos Islands, an Overseas Territory of the UK, is in the Caribbean, southeast of the Bahamas and to the north of Haiti.

Islands include Grand Turk, Salt Cay, South Caicos, East Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, West Caicos and Providenciales.

Grand Turk is the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The islands are low-lying, composed of limestone, and surrounded by coral reefs.

The climate is tropical marine, moderated by trade winds.

Environment
A system of National Parks has been set up to protect the Turks and Caicos' natural environment. There are over thirty protected areas. National Parks on the islands include Grand Turk Cays Land and Sea National Park, Conch Bar Caves National Park and West Caicos Marine National Park.

There are no large mammals on the Turks and Caicos Islands; the most common mammals, found on the Caicos Islands, are bats. There are a number of reptiles such as iguanas and geckos.

A variety birds inhabit the islands. As well as hummingbirds, bananaquits and doves, there are many water birds living in the mangrove swamps such as pelicans and flamingoes.

Big game fish are found in the surrounding sea. Other inhabitants of the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands are turtles and humpback whales.

Architecture
The Turks and Caicos National Trust aims to safeguard the natural, historical and cultural heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Legislation allows the Trust to protect any building of historic importance.

A number of examples of British Colonial architecture can be seen on Grand Turk. Some historic houses on the island were built by colonists from Burmuda who ran the salt industry on the island.

Population
The population of the Turks and Caicos Islands was estimated at 73,000 in 2018.

Languages
English is the official language in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Religion
The majority of the people in the Turks and Caicos Islands are Christians: Baptist, Anglican, Methodist and Church of God.

Food
Local food in the Turks and Caicos islands includes corn bread, [corn] grits, fried plantains and rice and peas.

Stews and soups are popular. Meat stew, bean soup and conch chowder are eaten.

Fish and shellfish are part of the diet. Conch is a particular favourite and is prepared in a variety of ways.

Fresh fruits available are coconuts, guavas, mangoes, oranges, papayas, sapodillas, sugar apples and tamarinds.

Local beer and rum are available.

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