The Turks and Caicos Islands, also known as TCI, is a group of islands situated in the West Indies. The small islands have a total surface of 161 sq mi (417 km²), which makes it one of the smallest territories in the world. The Turks and Caicos Islands have a total population of 32,000, with a very small percentage living in the capital, Cockburn Town.

The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of 28 islands, with only eight of them having a surface big enough to be inhabited. The Turks Islands, where the capital is located, are the smallest of all groups. The Caicos Islands take the major part of the total surface and are home to the largest city in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Providenciales. Providenciales has a population of over 20,000, an international airport, a national museum, and major shopping stores.

The Turks and Caicos Islands gained independence from the Federation of the West Indies in 1973, although they remain a non-sovereign territory of Britain, with Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom being recognized as head of state, at least in name. The Turks and Caicos Islands have a governor and their own premier (prime minister), who oversee the political and economic needs of the territory. The official language of the island is English, and most people practice Protestantism.

The main economic boost of the Turks and Caicos Islands is tourism. Almost 1000,000 foreigners visit the islands every year, a large percentage of which come from the United States. This may be due in part to the fact that the official currency of the island is the US Dollar, which makes it easier to pair the local economy with that of the US. Offshore financial services also provide a great source of income to the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Fifty three percent of the labor force in the island is unskilled, working in the fishing or agricultural sector. The islands are also a popular destination for exotic weddings, a fact that has been well exploited by the local tourism industry. Expensive resorts dot the coastline in the major islands. Hollywood stars, millionaires, and other public figures from all over the world own mansions in the smaller islands, taking advantage of the privacy the Turks and Caicos Islands offer.