Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago An island country in the south-east corner of the Caribbean Sea, the larger island, Trinidad, lying only 11 km (7 miles) off the northern coast of South America.

Physical

Trinidad measures about 80 km (50 miles) by 60 km (37 miles). In the south-west is the great Pitch Lake, a basin of bitumen; and across the north is a range of low mountains. The densely forested hills of Tobago, to the north-east, are the ridge of an otherwise submerged mountain range.

Economy

The economy is dominated by oil. There are also large reserves of natural gas and asphalt. The industrial sector includes an oil refinery, steelworks, and chemicals. With declining oil revenues, tourism, which is comparatively undeveloped, is being encouraged.

History

The islands were originally inhabited by Arawak and Carib Indians. Trinidad was discovered by Columbus in 1498 during his third voyage. Trinidad was claimed by Spain but left to its indigenous CARIBS until 1532, when settlement was begun. As it lacked precious metals it remained largely ignored until 1595, when Sir Walter RALEIGH landed there for ship repairs and sacked the newly founded town of San José; the Dutch raided it in 1640, and the French in 1677 and 1690. Sugar and tobacco plantations were established in the 17th century, worked by imported African slaves. In 1797, during war between England and Spain, a British squadron entered the Gulf of Paria but met little resistance before the island surrendered. In 1802 it was officially ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Amiens. In 1962, the country became an independent member of the British Commonwealth and, in 1976, a republic. The first Prime Minister of the new republic was Eric Williams, founder of the People's National Movement (PNM). Trinidad's first President, Ellis Clarke, was succeeded in 1987 by Noor Mohammed Hassanali, who was in turn succeeded in 1997 by Arthur N. Robinson. In 1987 Tobago achieved full internal self-government. An attempted coup by Black Muslim militants in 1990 failed. The PNM, led by Patrick Manning, won a general election held in December 1991. General elections in 1995 produced no overall winner and Basdeo Panday became Prime Minister, leading a coalition.

Capital:	Port of Spain
Area:	5,128.4 sq km (1980.1 sq miles)
Population:	1,275,000 (1998 est)
Currency:	1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar = 100 cents
Religions:	Roman Catholic 32.2%; Hindu 24.3%; Anglican 14.4%; Muslim 5.9%; Presbyterian 3.7%; Pentecostal 3.4%
Ethnic Groups:	Black 40.8%; East Indian 40.7%; mixed 16.3%; White 0.9%; Chinese 0.5%; Lebanese 0.1%
Languages:	English (official)
International Organizations:	UN; Commonwealth; OAS; CARICOM