Trinidad & Tobago in Brief

BACKGROUND

OFFICIAL NAME:
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Geography
Area: 5,128 sq. km. (1,980 sq. mi.), about the size of Delaware. Trinidad--4,828 sq. km. (1,864 sq. mi). Tobago--300 sq. km. (116 sq. mi).

Cities: Capital--Port of Spain (metropolitan pop. 310,000). Other cities--San Fernando, Chaguanas, Arima, Scarborough (Tobago).

Terrain: Plains and low mountains.

Climate: Tropical; principal rainy season is June through December.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Trinidadian(s) and Tobagonian(s). (Note: A popular combination name for Trinidadians and Tobagonians is Trinbagonians.)

Population (2007 est.): 1,303,188.Annual growth rate: 0.4%.Ethnic groups (2000): East Indian 40.0%, African 37.5%, mixed 20.5%, European 0.6%, Chinese 0.3%, other/not stated 1.1%.Religions (2000): Roman Catholic 26.0%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Baptist 7.2%, other Christian 5.8%, Muslim 5.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9%.

Language: English.

Education: Years compulsory--8.

Literacy--98.6%.

Health: Infant mortality rate (2005 est.)--25.81/1,000. Life expectancy (2006 est.)--66 yrs. male; 68 yrs. female.

Work force (615,400 in 2007 est.): Trade and services 44.1%, construction 16.8%, government 20.1%, manufacturing 10.2%, agriculture/sugar 3.9%, oil/gas 3.8%, utilities 1.1%.

Government
Type: Parliamentary democracy.

Independence: August 31, 1962.

Present constitution: September 24, 1976.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative--bicameral parliament. Judicial--independent court system; highest court of appeal is Privy Council (London).

Subdivisions: Nine regional corporations, two city corporations, three borough corporations, one ward (Trinidad); Tobago House of Assembly.

Political parties: People's National Movement (PNM); United National Congress (UNC); Congress of the People (COP); other minor parties, including the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR).