Flag of the Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands flag is a Blue Ensign with the Union Jack in the corner and the territory's shield in the fly. The shield shows a conch shell, a spiny lobster and a Turk's head cactus, which stand for the islands' sea life and plants.
What the flag of the Turks and Caicos Islands looks like
The flag has a dark blue field in a 1:2 ratio, and a Union Jack in the upper hoist corner. In the fly is the coat of arms, shown as a yellow shield.
Three emblems are painted on the shield. A conch shell is at the top left, a spiny lobster at the top right, and a Turk's head cactus in the lower half. These are the three symbols most often meant when people ask about the three symbols on the flag.
Turks & Caicos Islands flag colors
Color codes measured from the official design. Use HEX for the web and CMYK for print.
HEX
#002868RGB
0, 40, 104CMYK
100, 62, 0, 59 HEX
#CE1126RGB
206, 17, 38CMYK
0, 92, 82, 19 HEX
#FFFFFFRGB
255, 255, 255CMYK
0, 0, 0, 0 HEX
#FCD116RGB
252, 209, 22CMYK
0, 17, 91, 1 Turks and Caicos Islands flag meaning and symbolism
The three emblems are chosen from the islands' economy and nature. The conch and the lobster are the two main products of the local fishing industry, and are also important in Caribbean cooking. The cactus gave the Turks Islands their name, since its red cap looks like a Turkish fez. The yellow of the shield is often said to stand for the sun and the sand.
The Blue Ensign and the Union Jack show the link with the United Kingdom, because the islands are a British Overseas Territory. Older badges referred to the salt industry, which was the main source of income for the islands in the 18th and 19th centuries.
History of the Turks and Caicos Islands flag
The islands were first settled by Bermudian salt rakers in the 17th century and were later governed from the Bahamas and then Jamaica. When Jamaica became independent in 1962, the Turks and Caicos became a separate British colony and got their own governor.
The present flag was adopted on 7 November 1968. It follows the usual colonial pattern, with the badge approved for the territory. The shield was updated when a new coat of arms was granted, but the design of the flag has stayed otherwise the same. The territory remains a British Overseas Territory with its own premier and parliament. The nearby flag of the Bahamas looks quite different, as the Bahamas became independent in 1973.
Turks & Caicos Islands flag facts
| Country | Turks and Caicos Islands |
|---|---|
| Flag adopted | November 7, 1968 |
| Proportions | 1:2 |
| Colors | #002868, #CE1126, #FFFFFF, #FCD116 |
| Symbols | field, Coat of arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Union Jack |
| Flag emoji | 🇹🇨 |
| Country code | TC, TCA (ISO 3166) |
| Capital | Cockburn Town |
| Continent | North America |
| Population | 44,542 |
| Area | 417 km² |
| Currency | United States dollar |
| National anthem | God Save the King |
Turks & Caicos Islands flag: frequently asked questions
What are the three symbols on the Turks and Caicos flag?
They are a conch shell, a spiny lobster and a Turk's head cactus. They are shown on a yellow shield on the right side of the flag.
Which country do Turks and Caicos belong to?
The islands are a British Overseas Territory. They have their own government, and the United Kingdom is responsible for defense and foreign affairs.
What nationality are you if you're from Turks and Caicos?
People from the islands are called Turks and Caicos Islanders. Many hold British Overseas Territories citizenship, and most can also apply for full British citizenship.
What language do Turks and Caicos speak?
English is the official language. Some residents also speak Haitian Creole or Spanish.
When was the Turks and Caicos flag adopted?
The flag was adopted on 7 November 1968, when the islands were a separate British colony.
