T&T People & Brief History

PEOPLE AND HISTORY
Columbus landed on and named Trinidad in 1498, and Spaniards settled the island a century later. Spanish colonizers largely wiped out the original inhabitants--Arawak and Carib Indians--and the survivors were gradually assimilated.

Although it attracted French, free black, and other non-Spanish settlers, Trinidad remained under Spanish rule until the British captured it in 1797.

During the colonial period, Trinidad's economy relied on large sugar and cocoa plantations. Tobago's development was similar to other plantation islands in the Lesser Antilles and quite different from Trinidad.

During the colonial period, French, Dutch, and British forces fought over possession of Tobago, and the island changed hands 22 times--more often than any other West Indies island. Britain took final possession of Tobago in 1803. The two islands of Trinidad and Tobago were incorporated into a single colony in 1888.

Trinidad and Tobago achieved full independence in 1962 and joined the British Commonwealth.

Trinidad and Tobago became a republic in 1976.

The people of Trinidad and Tobago are mainly of African or East Indian descent. Virtually all speak English. Small percentages also speak Hindi, French patois, and several other dialects.

Trinidad has two major folk traditions: Creole and East Indian. Creole is a mixture of African elements with Spanish, French, and English colonial culture.

Trinidad's East Indian culture came to the island beginning May 30, 1845 with the arrival of indentured servants brought to fill a labor shortage created by the emancipation of the African slaves in 1838.

Most remained on the land, and they still dominate the agricultural sector, but many have become prominent in business and the professions. East Indians have retained much of their own way of life, including Hindu and Muslim religious festivals and practices.

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).