|
Trinidad
More Caribbean Islands Travel Guide - Hotels - Rental Cars and
Resort vacations
Find a premier Hotel & Resort at
Hilton Hotels.
or book Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trinidad (Spanish, "Trinity") is the
largest of the 23 islands which make up the
country of Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad is the
southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies
just 11 km (7 miles) off the northeastern coast
of Venezuela. Trinidad has an area of 4,769 km²
(1,864 sq. mi.) and is located between 10°3′N
60°55′W and 10°50′N 61°55′W.
History
Main articles: History of Trinidad and Tobago,
Trinidad was originally settled by Amerindians
of South American origins. It was rediscovered
by Christopher Columbus on his third voyage in
1498. Trinidad remained in Spanish hands until
1797 (when it was ceded to the British), but it
was largely settled by the French and their
African Slaves. After the Abolition of the Slave
Trade in the British Empire in 1834 several
Immigrant Indentured Laborer groups, including
Portuguese, Chinese and East Indians, were
employed to fill the labour void created when
the liberated Africans left the plantations. In
1888 it was united with Tobago into a single
crown colony. The united entity, Trinidad and
Tobago, obtained its independence from the
British Empire in 1962 and became a republic in
1976.
Today
See the entry on Trinidad and Tobago for more
detailed information.
Today Trinidad is a colourful and lively island,
the result of a fusion of many different
cultures and beautiful natural features. It
hosts an annual pre-Lenten Carnival (Monday and
Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday) that is
considered by many to be the most spectacular in
the world and draws tourists from many places
across the globe. This party atmosphere is
present not just at carnival time but throughout
the year as Trinidadians or 'Trinis' enjoy a
culture laced with music and dancing. Styles of
popular music include calypso, soca and reggae;
whilst at Christmas time a Latino style of music
known as 'parang' is played and listened to.
Parang itself is a remnant of the Spanish
influence on Trinidad's culture. Trinis are
proud of their national identity and flavour.
Indian traditions have also become an important
part of the island's culture. Divali, the annual
Hindu festival of lights is celebrated
nationally. A week before Divali night there is
a week long festival of Indian song, dance and
shows called the Divali Nagar which is held at
the Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas.
Areas of natural beauty include: a variety of
beautiful beaches (e.g. Maracas, Las Cuevas,
Mayaro and Grande Riviere), swamps (Nariva and
Caroni), areas of seasonal tropical forests and
the hills of the Northern Range. Trinidad is
also the home of such animals as the
leopard-like ocelot, the manatee, caimans and
the Scarlet Ibis (see List of birds of Trinidad
and Tobago).
Trinidad is also an industrial island with a
diversified economy, based to a large extent on
oil and natural gas,industry and agriculture. It
is one of the leading gas-based export centres
in the world, being the leading exporter of
ammonia and methanol and among the top five
exporters of liquefied natural gas. This has
allowed Trinidad to capitalise on the large
mineral reserves within its territories. It has
good transport links and infrastructure,
although some roads in more rural areas are in
disrepair.
The largest religious groups on the island are
Roman Catholics and Hindus. There are also
substantial Anglican, Presbyterian, Muslim,
Methodist, Spiritual Baptist, Orisha and
independent fundamentalist/evangelical Christian
groups.
The capital of Trinidad is Port-of-Spain,
located in the northwest of the island. The
largest municipality is Chaguanas, an important
shopping area, and central to the once vibrant
sugar industry.
Culture
The Chaconia (Warszewiczia coccinea) flower is
the national flower of Trinidad and Tobago.Main
article: Culture of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago is famous for its pre-Lenten
Carnival. It is also the birthplace of calypso
music and the steelpan, which is widely claimed
to be the only acoustic musical instrument
invented during the 20th century. The diverse
cultural and religious background allows for
many festivities and ceremonies throughout the
year. Other indigenous art forms include soca (a
derivate of calypso), Parang
(Venezuelan-influenced Christmas music),
chutney, and pichakaree (musical forms which
blend the music of the Caribbean and India) and
the famous Limbo dance.
The artistic scene is vibrant. Trinidad and
Tobago claims two Noble Prize-winning author, V.
S. Naipaul and St. Lucian-born Derek Walcott.
Mas' designer Peter Minshall is renowned not
only for his carnival costumes, but also for his
role in opening ceremonies of the Barcelona
Olympics, the 1994 Football World Cup, the 1996
Summer Olympics and the 2002 Winter Olympics,
for which he won an Emmy Award. |
|
|
Background:
|
The
islands came under British control in the 19th
century; independence was granted in 1962. The
country is one of the most prosperous in the
Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural
gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in
Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing.
|
|
Location:
|
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
|
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
11 00
N, 61 00 W
|
|
Map references:
|
Central America and the Caribbean |
|
Area:
|
total: 5,128 sq km
land: 5,128 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
|
Area - comparative:
|
slightly smaller than Delaware |
|
Climate:
|
tropical; rainy season (June to December) |
|
Terrain:
|
ostly
plains with some hills and low mountains |
|
Nationality:
|
noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)
adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian
|
|
Ethnic groups:
|
black
39.5%, East Indian (a local term - primarily
immigrants from northern India) 40.3%, mixed 18.4%,
white 0.6%, Chinese and other 1.2% |
|
Religions:
|
Roman
Catholic 29.4%, Hindu 23.8%, Anglican 10.9%, Muslim
5.8%, Presbyterian 3.4%, other 26.7%
|
|
Languages:
|
English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese
|
|
Currency:
|
Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD) |
|
Currency code:
|
TTD
|
|
Exchange rates:
|
Trinidad and Tobago dollars per US dollar - 6.2466
(January 2002), 6.2332 (2001), 6.2998 (2000), 6.2989
(1999), 6.2983 (1998), 6.2517 (1997) |
|
|
|
|
|
