Central America and the Caribbean > Turks and Caicos Islands > Government

View full size

Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK)
Capital city Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	21 28 N, 71 08 W
Constitution Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006 (effective 9 August 2006)
Executive branch > Cabinet Cabinet consists of the governor, the premier, six ministers appointed by the governor from among the members of the House of Assembly, and the attorney general
Executive branch > Chief of state Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 5 August 2008)
Executive branch > Elections the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor
Executive branch > Head of government Premier Michael Eugene MISICK (chief minister since 15 August 2003, sworn in as premier on 9 August 2006); note - the office of premier was created in the 2006 constitution
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Judicial branch Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Legal system based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas
Legislative branch unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats of which 15 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms)
Legislative branch > Elections last held 9 February 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
National holiday Constitution Day, 30 August
Political parties and leaders People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Floyd SEYMOUR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK]
Status dependent democracy
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder

Related links:

• Forum discussion > Government
• Looking for Stats on the American Government? Check out StateMaster
• Stay updated with current stat feeds! Subscribe to the Government RSS / Atom feeds
•  Subscribe to our popular Government factoids RSS / Atom feeds
• Save this page on  del.icio.us / furl / your bookmarks

More facts and figures on Turks and Caicos Islands