Trinidad and Tobago - History, Politics, Geography, Economy, Demographics, Religion, Human rights, Culture, Sports, Holidays

Official name Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Local name Trinidad and Tobago Timezone GMT -4 Area 5128 km²/1979 sq mi population total (2002e) 1 304 000 Status Independent republic within the Commonwealth Date of independence 1962 Capital Port of Spain Languages English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish Ethnic groups African (43%), East Indian (40%), mixed (14%), Chinese (1%) Religions Christian (Roman Catholic 34%, Protestant 29%), Hindu (25%), Muslim (6%) Physical features Southernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles, SE Caribbean; Trinidad, area 4828 km²/1864 sq mi, traversed by three mountain ranges (N, C and S), rising to 940 m/3084 ft at El Cerro del Aripo; drained by Caroni, Ortoire and Oropuche rivers; Tobago, area 300 km²/116 sq mi, Main Ridge extends along most of island, rising to 576 m/1890 ft. Climate Tropical, hot and humid; average annual temperature 29°C; dry season (Jan–May); wet season (Jun–Dec); average annual rainfall 1270 mm/50 in (SW Trinidad), 2540 mm/100 in (Tobago mountains). Currency 1 Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD) = 100 cents Economy Oil and gas (main industries); industrial complex, W coast of Trinidad; cement, oil refining, petrochemicals; cocoa, coffee, fruit; tourism. GDP (2002e) $11·07 bn, per capita $10 000 Human Development Index (2002) 0·805 History Trinidad visited by Columbus in 1498; settled by Spain in 16th-c, and acquired by Britain in 1797; Tobago captured by French, 1781, and acquired by Britain, 1802; Tobago became a British colony, 1814; Trinidad and Tobago united as British Crown Colony, 1899; independent member of the Commonwealth, 1962; republic, 1976, governed by a President and bicameral Parliament, comprising a Senate and House of Representatives; also a 15-member Tobago House of Assembly; in 2005 government announced Spanish to become an official language by 2020.

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto: Together we aspire, together we achieve
Anthem: Forged From The Love of Liberty
Capital	Port of Spain 10°40′N 61°31′W
Largest town	Chaguanas
Official language	English
Government
President Prime Minister	George Maxwell Richards Patrick Manning
Area
- Total	5,128 km² (172nd) 1,979 sq mi
- Water (%)	Negligible
Population
- July 2005 estimate	1,305,000 (152nd)
- Density	207.8/km² (47th) 538.6/sq mi
GDP (PPP)	2005 estimate
- Total	18.352 Billion (113th)
- Per capita	$14,258 (48th)
HDI  (2003)	0.801 (high) (57th)
Currency	Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)
Time zone	(UTC-4)
- Summer (DST)	(UTC n/a)
Internet TLD	.tt
Calling code	+1-868

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying northeast of the South American nation of Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles.

Originally settled by Amerindians of South American origin at least 7,000 years ago, Trinidad and Tobago was occupied by Arawakan- and Cariban-speaking peoples at the time of European contact in 1498. Trinidad and Tobago became independent nation in 1962 and a republic in 1976.

Officially Trinidadians or Tobagonians, people from Trinidad and Tobago the people are often informally referred to as Trinbagonians or Trinis. Unlike most of the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago is a primarily industrialised country whose economy is based on petroleum and petrochemicals. Trinidad and Tobago is famous for its pre-Lenten Carnival and as the birthplace of steelpan, calypso and limbo.

History

Both Trinidad and Tobago were originally settled by Amerindians of South American origin. Trinidad was first settled by pre-agricultural Archaic people at least 7,000 years ago, making it the earliest-settled part of the Caribbean. At the time of European contact Trinidad was occupied by various Arawakan- and Cariban-speaking tribes including the Nepoya, Suppoya and Yao, while Tobago was occupied by the Island Caribs and Galibi.

The Spanish established a presence in Trinidad, but due to a lack of settlers, eventually allowed any Roman Catholic European to settle on the island, leading to substantial immigration from France and elsewhere. Britain consolidated its hold on both islands during the Napoleonic Wars, and they were combined into the colony of Trinidad and Tobago in 1899.

The presence of American military bases in Chaguaramas and Cumuto in Trinidad during World War II profoundly changed the character of society. The Federation dissolved after the withdrawal of Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago elected for independence in 1962.

In 1990, 114 members of the Jamaat al Muslimeen, led by Yasin Abu Bakr, stormed the Red House (the seat of Parliament), and Trinidad and Tobago Television, the only television station in the country at the time, and held the country's government hostage for six days before surrendering (see Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt). Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most prosperous nations in the Caribbean, although less so than it was during the "oil boom" between 1973 and 1983.

Politics

Trinidad and Tobago is a liberal democracy with a two-party system and a bicameral parliamentary system based on the Westminster System. The Head of State of Trinidad and Tobago is the President, currently Professor Emeritus George Maxwell Richards.

Trinidad and Tobago is a leading member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Geography

Trinidad and Tobago are southeasterly islands of the Antilles or West Indies, situated between 10° 2' and 11° 12' N latitude and 60° 30' and 61° 56' W longitude. Covering an area of 5,128 square kilometres (1,979 sq mi), the country consists of the two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and 21 smaller islands – including Chacachacare, Monos, Huevos, Gaspar Grande (or Gasparee), Little Tobago, and St. Giles Island. Trinidad is 4,768 square kilometres (1,841 sq mi) in area (comprising 93.0% of the country's total area) with an average length of 80 kilometres (50 mi) and an average width of 59 kilometres (37 mi). Unlike most of the other Caribbean islands, Trinidad and Tobago have frequently escaped the wrath of major devastating hurricanes including Hurricane Ivan, the most powerful storm to pass close to the islands in recent history in September 2004.

As the majority of the population live in Trinidad, this is the location of most major towns and cities.

Trinidad is made up of a variety of soil types, the majority being fine sands and heavy clays.

Although it is located just off-shore from South America, Trinidad and Tobago is often considered to be part of the North American continent by virtue of its being a Caribbean country. See Bicontinental countries.

Economy

Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. The three major banks are Republic Bank Limited, Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Limited and First Citizens Bank.

Demographics

Of the country's 1.3 million inhabitants (as of 2005), most (96%) reside on the island of Trinidad with most of the remainder (4%) on Tobago. The ethnic composition of Trinidad and Tobago reflects a history of conquest and immigration.

Emigration from Trinidad and Tobago, as with other Caribbean nations, has historically been high; Largely because of this phenomenon, as of 2006, Trinidad and Tobago has the lowest population growth rate in the world (-0.87%). The main spoken language, Trinidadian English is either classified as a dialect or variety of English or as an English Creole (Trinidadian Creole English). Trinidadian English, however, is also largely influenced by French and French Creole and by Bhojpuri/Hindi.

Due to Trinidad's location on the coast of South America, the country has been slowly redeveloping a connection with the Spanish-speaking peoples, but has been impeded by the fact that in 2004, only 1,500 inhabitants spoke Spanish.2. Venezuelans often come to Trinidad and Tobago to learn English, and many English schools have expanded to feature both English and Spanish.

Religion

Many different religions are present in Trinidad and Tobago.

Human rights

According to reports of Amnesty International, tortures and unfair trials are perpetrated in Trinidad and Tobago.

Culture

Trinidad and Tobago is famous for its pre-Lenten Carnival. Trinidad and Tobago claims two Nobel Prize-winning authors, V.

Sports

Cricket: Trinidad and Tobago plays both one day international and Test cricket as a member of the West Indies team. Double world record holder for the most runs scored in a Test and First class innings Brian Lara is from Trinidad and Tobago. Because Scotland did not qualify for the 2006 world cup, the Tartan Army supported Trinidad and Tobago and made their own song (primarily about player Jason Scotland) because they played England, Scotland's arch rival. Trinidad and Tobago was host to 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship.

Olympic Games:

Hasely Crawford won the first and only Olympic gold medal for Trinidad and Tobago in the men's 100 m dash in the 1976 Summer Olympics. Nine different athletes from Trinidad and Tobago have won twelve medals at the Olympics, beginning with a silver medal in weightlifting, won by Rodney Wilkes in 1948 , and most recently a bronze medal with by George Bovell III in 2004. Ato Boldon has won the most medals for Trinidad and Tobago with 4.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed in Trinidad and Tobago.

Date	English Name	Remarks
January 1	New Year's Day
Variable	Carnival	Monday and Tuesday immediately preceding Ash Wednesday.
Variable	Eid-ul-Fitr	End of Ramadan. It is the only public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago that recognizes Islam.
Variable	Easter	Good Friday and Easter Monday
March 30	Spiritual Baptist/Shouter Liberation Day	First country in the world to recognize the Spiritual Baptist faith with a national holiday
Variable	Corpus Christi
May 30	Indian Arrival Day	The first country in the world to recognise East-Indian Indentureship.
June 19	Labour Day	Marks the labour uprising on 19th June 1937 which is generally recognised as the start of the modern trade union movement in Trinidad and Tobago.
August 1	Emancipation Day	First country in the world to recognise emancipation from slavery.
August 31	Independence Day
September 24	Republic Day
October 12	Chinese Arrival Day
Variable	Divali	The Hindu festival of lights and the only holiday given in recognition of the Hindu faith.
December 25	Christmas
December 26	Boxing Day