Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago, officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost archipelagic country in the Caribbean. It consists of two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, along with several smaller islets. The capital city is Port of Spain, and the largest area is Tunapuna/Piarco.

The country is located just off the coast of Venezuela, making it very close to South America. Indigenous peoples lived there long before Christopher Columbus arrived in 1498. Later, the islands were ruled by Spain and then Britain before gaining independence in 1962 and becoming a republic in 1976.

Trinidad and Tobago is special because of its rich mix of African and Indian cultures. Famous events like the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, Diwali, and celebrations such as Hosay show this blend. The country is also the home of the steelpan, limbo, and music styles like calypso and soca.

Unlike many other Caribbean places that depend on tourism, Trinidad and Tobago has a strong economy based on oil and gas. Because it is farther south, the islands experience fewer hurricanes than other parts of the Caribbean.

Toponymy

The name "Trinidad" might have come from an old word meaning "Land of the Hummingbird," although some people think this is not correct. Explorer Christopher Columbus called it "La Isla de la Trinidad," or "The Island of the Trinity," because of a promise he made before his journey. The island of Tobago may have been named after the shape of cigars or the tobacco used by people living there long ago. Indo-Trinidadians sometimes called it "Chinidat," meaning "land of sugar," because of the sugar farms there.

History

Geological history

The islands that make up modern-day Trinidad and Tobago lie at the southern end of the Lesser Antilles group. The islands lie close to the continent of South America, separated by the Gulf of Paria.

Indigenous peoples

Trinidad and Tobago were originally settled by Indigenous peoples migrating from South America. The earliest known settlement is at Banwari Trace in southwestern Trinidad, dating back to approximately 5000 BCE, making it the oldest pre-Columbian archaeological site in the Caribbean. The site has yielded artifacts and the remains of "Banwari Man," the oldest human skeleton found in the region.

At the time of European contact, Trinidad was inhabited by various Indigenous groups, including Arawakan-speaking peoples such as the Nepoya and Shebaya, and Cariban-speaking groups like the Yao. Tobago was primarily occupied by the Island Caribs.

European colonisation

Christopher Columbus was the first European to see Trinidad, on his third voyage to the Americas in 1498. He also reported seeing Tobago on the distant horizon, naming it Bellaforma, but did not land on the island.

In the 1530s Antonio de Sedeño, a Spanish soldier intent on conquering the island of Trinidad, landed on its southwest coast with a small army of men, intending to subdue the Indigenous population of the island. Sedeño and his men fought the native peoples on many occasions, and subsequently built a fort. The next few decades were generally spent in warfare with the native peoples, until in 1592, the "Cacique" (native chief) Wannawanare (also known as Guanaguanare) granted the area around modern Saint Joseph to Domingo de Vera e Ibargüen, and withdrew to another part of the island. The settlement of San José de Oruña was later established by Antonio de Berrío on this land in 1592. Shortly thereafter the English pirate Walter Raleigh arrived in Trinidad on 22 March 1595 in search of the long-rumoured "El Dorado" ("City of Gold") supposedly located in South America. He attacked San José, captured and interrogated Antonio de Berrío, and obtained much information from him and from the Cacique Topiawari; Raleigh then went on his way, and Spanish authority was restored.

Meanwhile, there were numerous attempts by European powers to settle Tobago during the 1620–40s, with the Dutch, English and Couronians (people from the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, now part of Latvia) all attempting to colonise the island with little success. From 1654 the Dutch and Courlanders managed to gain a more secure foothold, later joined by several hundred French settlers. A plantation economy developed based on the production of sugar, indigo and rum, worked by large numbers of African slaves who soon came to vastly outnumber the European colonists. Large numbers of forts were constructed as Tobago became a source of contention between France, Netherlands and Britain, with the island changing hands some 31 times prior to 1814, a situation exacerbated by widespread piracy. The British managed to hold Tobago from 1762 to 1781, whereupon it was captured by the French, who ruled until 1793 when Britain re-captured the island.

The 17th century on Trinidad passed largely without major incident, but sustained attempts by the Spaniards to control and rule over the Indigenous population was often fiercely resisted. In 1687 the Catholic Catalan Capuchin friars were given responsibility for the conversions of the indigenous people of Trinidad and the Guianas. They founded several missions in Trinidad, supported and richly funded by the state, which also granted encomienda right to them over the native peoples, in which the native peoples were forced to provide labour for the Spanish. One such mission was Santa Rosa de Arima, established in 1689, when Indigenous people from the former encomiendas of Tacarigua and Arauca (Arouca) were relocated further west. Escalating tensions between the Spaniards and Indigenous people culminated in violence in 1699, when Indigenous people in the San Rafael encomienda rebelled and killed several priests, attacked a church, and killed the Spanish governor José de León y Echales. Among those killed in the governor's party was Juan Mazien de Sotomayor, missionary priest to the Nepuyo villages of Caura, Tacarigua and Arauca. The Spanish retaliated severely, slaughtering hundreds of native peoples in an event that became known as the Arena massacre. As a result of continuing Spanish slave-raiding, and the devastating impact of introduced disease to which they had no immunity, the native population was virtually wiped out by the end of the following century.

During this period Trinidad was an island province belonging the Audiencia of Santo Domingo of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, together with Central America, present-day Mexico and what would later become the southwestern United States. In 1757 the capital was moved from San José de Oruña to Puerto de España (modern Port of Spain) following several pirate attacks. However the Spanish never made any concerted effort to colonise the islands; Trinidad in this period was still mostly forest, populated by a few Spaniards with a handful of slaves and a few thousand Indigenous people. Indeed, the population in 1777 was only 1,400, and Spanish colonisation in Trinidad remained tenuous.

The Captaincy General of Venezuela was created on 8 September 1777, through the Royal Decree of Graces of Charles III, to provide more autonomy for the provinces of Venezuela (include Trinidad) previously under the jurisdiction of the Viceroyalty of New Granada and the Audiencia of Santo Domingo. The crown established a unified government in political (governorship), military (captaincy general), fiscal (intendancy) and judicial (audiencia) affairs. Its creation was part of the Bourbon Reforms and laid the groundwork for the future nation of Venezuela, in particular by orienting the province of Maracaibo towards the province of Caracas.

Influx of French settlers

In 1777, the captain general of Venezuela Luis de Unzaga 'le Conciliateur', married to a French Creole, allowed free trade in Trinidad, attracting French settlers and its economy improved notably. Since Trinidad was considered underpopulated, Roume de St. Laurent, a Frenchman living in Grenada, was able to obtain a Cédula de Población from the Spanish king Charles III on 4 November 1783. A Cédula de Población had previously been granted in 1776 by the king, but had not shown results, and therefore the new Cédula was more generous. It granted free land and tax exemption for 10 years to Roman Catholic foreign settlers who were willing to swear allegiance to the King of Spain. The land grant was 30 fanegas (13 hectares/32 acres) for each free man, woman and child and half of that for each slave that they brought with them. The Spanish sent a new governor, José María Chacón, to implement the terms of the new cédula.

The Cédula was issued only a few years before the French Revolution. During that period of upheaval, French planters with their slaves, free coloureds and mulattos from the neighbouring islands of Martinique, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Guadeloupe and Dominica migrated to Trinidad, where they established an agriculture-based economy (sugar and cocoa). These new immigrants established local communities in Blanchisseuse, Champs Fleurs, Paramin, Cascade, Carenage and Laventille.

As a result, Trinidad's population jumped to over 15,000 by the end of 1789, and by 1797 the population of Port of Spain had increased from under 3,000 to 10,422 in just five years, with a varied population of mixed race individuals, Spaniards, Africans, French republican soldiers, retired pirates and French nobility. The total population of Trinidad was 17,718, of which 2,151 were of European ancestry, 4,476 were "free blacks and people of colour", 10,009 were enslaved people and 1,082 Indigenous people. The sparse settlement and slow rate of population-increase during Spanish rule (and even later during British rule) made Trinidad one of the less populated colonies of the West Indies, with the least developed plantation infrastructure.

British rule

The British had begun to take a keen interest in Trinidad, and in 1797 a British force led by General Sir Ralph Abercromby launched an invasion of Trinidad. His squadron sailed through the Bocas and anchored off the coast of Chaguaramas. Seriously outnumbered, Chacón decided to capitulate to the British without fighting. Trinidad thus became a British crown colony, with a largely French-speaking population and Spanish laws. British rule was later formalised under the Treaty of Amiens (1802). The colony's first British governor was Thomas Picton, however his heavy-handed approach to enforcing British authority, including the use of torture and arbitrary arrest, led to his being recalled.

British rule led to an influx of settlers from the United Kingdom and the British colonies of the Eastern Caribbean. English, Scots, Irish, German and Italian families arrived, as well as some free blacks known as "Merikins" who had fought for Britain in the War of 1812 and were granted land in southern Trinidad. Under British rule, new states were created and the importation of slaves increased, however by this time support for abolitionism had vastly increased and in England the slave trade was under attack.

Slavery was abolished in 1833, after which former slaves served an "apprenticeship" period. In 1837, Daaga, a West African slave trader who had been captured by Portuguese slavers and later rescued by the British navy, was conscripted into the local regiment. Daaga and a group of his compatriots mutinied at the barracks in St Joseph and set out eastward in an attempt to return to their homeland. The mutineers were ambushed by a militia unit just outside the town of Arima. The revolt was crushed at the cost of some 40 dead, and Daaga and two others were later executed at St Joseph. The apprenticeship system ended on 1 August 1838 with full emancipation. An overview of the population statistics in 1838, however, clearly reveals the contrast between Trinidad and its neighbouring islands: upon emancipation of the slaves in 1838, Trinidad had only 17,439 slaves, with 80% of slave owners having enslaved fewer than 10 people each. In contrast, at twice the size of Trinidad, Jamaica had roughly 360,000 slaves.

Arrival of Indian indentured labourers

After the African slaves were emancipated many refused to continue working on the plantations, often moving out to urban areas such as Laventille and Belmont to the east of Port of Spain. As a result, a severe agricultural labour shortage emerged. The British filled this gap by instituting a system of indentureship. Various nationalities were contracted under this system, including Indians, Chinese, and Portuguese. Of these, the East Indians were imported in the largest numbers, starting from 1 May 1845, when 225 Indians were brought in the first ship to Trinidad on the Fatel Razack, a Muslim-owned vessel. Indentureship of the Indians lasted from 1845 to 1917, during which time more than 147,000 Indians came to Trinidad to work on sugarcane plantations.

Indentureship contracts were sometimes exploitative, to such an extent that historians such as Hugh Tinker were to call it "a new system of slavery". Despite these descriptions, it was not truly a new form of slavery, as workers were paid, contracts were finite, and the idea of an individual being another's property had been eliminated when slavery was abolished. In addition, employers of indentured labour had no legal right to flog or whip their workers; the main legal sanction for the enforcement of the indenture laws was prosecution in the courts, followed by fines or (more likely) jail sentences. People were contracted for a period of five years, with a daily wage as low as 25 cents in the early 20th century, and they were guaranteed return passage to India at the end of their contract period. However, coercive means were often used to retain labourers, and the indentureship contracts were soon extended to 10 years from 1854 after the planters complained that they were losing their labour too early. In lieu of the return passage, the British authorities soon began offering portions of land to encourage settlement, and by 1902, more than half of the sugar cane in Trinidad was being produced by independent cane farmers; the majority of which were Indians. Despite the trying conditions experienced under the indenture system, about 90% of the Indian immigrants chose, at the end of their contracted periods of indenture, to make Trinidad their permanent home. Indians entering the colony were also subject to certain crown laws which segregated them from the rest of Trinidad and Tobago's population, such as the requirement that they carry a pass with them if they left the plantations, and that if freed, they carry their "Free Papers" or certificate indicating completion of the indenture period.

Few Indians settled on Tobago however, and the descendants of African slaves continued to form the majority of the island's population. An ongoing economic slump in the middle-to-late 19th century caused widespread poverty. Discontent erupted into rioting on the Roxborough plantation in 1876, in an event known as the Belmanna Uprising after a policeman who was killed. The British eventually managed to restore control; however, as a result of the disturbances Tobago's Legislative Assembly voted to dissolve itself and the island became a Crown colony in 1877. With the sugar industry in a state of near-collapse and the island no longer profitable, the British attached Tobago to their Trinidad colony in 1889.

Early 20th century

In 1903, a protest against the introduction of new water rates in Port of Spain erupted into rioting; 18 people were shot dead, and the Red House (the government headquarters) was damaged by fire. A local elected assembly with some limited powers was introduced in 1913. Economically Trinidad and Tobago remained a predominantly agricultural colony; alongside sugarcane, the cacao (cocoa) crop also contributed greatly to economic earnings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In November 1919, the dockworkers went on strike over bad management practices, low wages compared to a higher cost of living. Strikebreakers were brought in to keep a minimum of goods moving through the ports. On 1 December 1919, the striking dockworkers rushed the harbour and chased off the strikebreakers. They then proceeded to march on the government buildings in Port of Spain. Other unions and workers, many with the same grievances, joined the dock worker's strike making it a General Strike. Violence broke out and was only put down with help from the sailors of British Naval ship HMS Calcutta. The unity brought upon by the strike was the first time of cooperation between the various ethnic groups of the time. Historian Brinsley Samaroo says that the 1919 strikes "seem to indicate that there was a growing class consciousness after the war and this transcended racial feelings at times."

However, in the 1920s, the collapse of the sugarcane industry, concomitant with the failure of the cocoa industry, resulted in widespread depression among the rural and agricultural workers in Trinidad, and encouraged the rise of a labour movement. Conditions on the islands worsened in the 1930s with the onset of the Great Depression, with an outbreak of labour riots occurring in 1937 which resulted in several deaths. The labour movement aimed to unite the urban working class and agricultural labour class; the key figures being Arthur Cipriani, who led the Trinidad Labour Party (TLP), Tubal Uriah "Buzz" Butler of the British Empire Citizens' and Workers' Home Rule Party, and Adrian Cola Rienzi, who led the Trinidad Citizens League (TCL), Oilfields Workers' Trade Union, and All Trinidad Sugar Estates and Factory Workers Union. As the movement developed calls for greater autonomy from British colonial rule became widespread; this effort was severely undermined by the British Home Office and by the British-educated Trinidadian elite, many of whom were descended from the plantocracy class.

Petroleum had been discovered in 1857, but became economically significant only in the 1930s and afterwards as a result of the collapse of sugarcane and cocoa, and increasing industrialisation. By the 1950s petroleum had become a staple in Trinidad's export market, and was responsible for a growing middle class among all sections of the Trinidad population. The collapse of Trinidad's major agricultural commodities, followed by the Depression, and the rise of the oil economy, led to major changes in the country's social structure.

The presence of American military bases in Chaguaramas and Cumuto in Trinidad during World War II had a profound effect on society. The Americans vastly improved the infrastructure on Trinidad and provided many locals with well-paying jobs. The Americans left in 1961.

In the post-war period the British began a process of decolonisation across the British Empire. In 1945 universal suffrage was introduced to Trinidad and Tobago. Political parties emerged on the island, however these were largely divided along racial lines: Afro–Trinidadians and Tobagonians primarily supported the People's National Movement (PNM), formed in 1956 by Eric Williams, with Indo-Trinidadians and Tobagonians mostly supporting the People's Democratic Party (PDP), formed in 1953 by Bhadase Sagan Maraj, which later merged into the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) in 1957. Britain's Caribbean colonies formed the West Indies Federation in 1958 as a vehicle for independence, however the Federation dissolved after Jamaica withdrew following a membership referendum in 1961. The government of Trinidad and Tobago subsequently chose to seek independence from the United Kingdom on its own.

Contemporary era

Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 31 August 1962. However, Elizabeth II remained head of state, represented locally by Governor-General Solomon Hochoy, until the passage of the 1976 Republican Constitution.

Eric Williams of the People's National Movement became the first prime minister, serving in that capacity uninterrupted until 1981. The dominant figure in the opposition in the early independence years was Opposition leader Rudranath Capildeo of the Democratic Labour Party. The first speaker of the House of Representatives was Clytus Arnold Thomasos and the first president of the Senate was J. Hamilton Maurice. The 1960s saw the rise of a Black Power movement, inspired in part by the civil rights movement in the United States. Protests and strikes became common, with events coming to head in April 1970 when police shot dead a protester named Basil Davis. Fearing a breakdown of law and order, Prime Minister Williams declared a state of emergency and ordered that many of the Black Power leaders be arrested. Some army leaders who were sympathetic to the Black Power movement, notably Raffique Shah and Rex Lassalle, attempted to mutiny; however, this was quashed by the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard. Williams and the PNM retained power, largely due to divisions in the opposition.

Amidst the backdrop of the rising Black Power movement in 1960s Trinidad and Tobago, and following protests, strikes, and a mutiny attempt in April 1970, a more radical opposition emerged in the form of the National Union of Freedom Fighters (NUFF). Dissatisfied with the perceived slow progress of change, and inspired by guerrilla warfare tactics, NUFF members launched attacks on banks, police stations, and other infrastructure, aiming to ignite a full-scale revolution against Prime Minister Eric Williams' government. However, the group faced increasing pressure from police and security forces, leading to the deaths of many members and the eventual suppression of the insurgency by 1974.

In 1963 Tobago was struck by Hurricane Flora, which killed 30 people and resulted in enormous destruction across the island. Partly as a result of this, tourism came to replace agriculture as the island's primary source of income in the subsequent decades. On 1 May 1968, Trinidad and Tobago joined the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), which provided a continued economic, rather than political, linkage between the former British West Indies English-speaking countries after the West Indies Federation failed. On 1 August 1973, the country became a founding member state of CARIFTA's successor, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which is a political and economic union between several Caribbean countries and territories.

Between 1972 and 1983, the country profited greatly from the rising price of oil and the discovery of vast new oil deposits in its territorial waters, resulting in an economic boom that substantially increased living standards. In 1976 the country became a republic within the Commonwealth, though it retained the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as its final appellate court. The position of governor-general was replaced with that of President; Ellis Clarke was the first to hold this largely ceremonial role. Tobago was granted limited self-rule with the creation of the Tobago House of Assembly in 1980.

Williams died in 1981, being replaced by George Chambers who led the country until 1986. By this time a fall in the price of oil had resulted in a recession, causing rising inflation and unemployment. The main opposition parties united under the banner of National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) and won the 1986 Trinidad and Tobago general election, with NAR leader A. N. R. Robinson becoming the new prime minister. Robinson was unable to hold together the fragile NAR coalition, and his economic reforms, such as the implementation of an International Monetary Fund Structural Adjustment Program and devaluation of currency led to social unrest. In 1990, 114 members of the Jamaat al Muslimeen, led by Yasin Abu Bakr (formerly known as Lennox Phillip) stormed the Red House (the seat of Parliament), and Trinidad and Tobago Television, the only television station in the country at the time, holding Robinson and country's government hostage for six days before surrendering. The coup leaders were promised amnesty, but upon their surrender they were arrested, ultimately being released after protracted legal wrangling.

The PNM under Patrick Manning returned to power following the 1991 Trinidad and Tobago general election. Hoping to capitalise on an improvement in the economy, Manning called an early election in 1995, however, this resulted in a hung parliament. Two NAR representatives backed the opposition United National Congress (UNC), which had split off from the NAR in 1989, and they thus took power under Basdeo Panday, who became the country's first Indo-Trinidadian Prime Minister. After a period of political confusion caused by a series of inconclusive election results, Patrick Manning returned to power in 2001, retaining that position until 2010.

In 2003 the country entered a second oil boom, and petroleum, petrochemicals and natural gas continue to be the backbone of the economy. Tourism and the public service are the mainstay of the economy of Tobago, though authorities have attempted to diversify the island's economy. A partnership resulted in Manning's defeat by the newly formed People's Partnership (PP) coalition in 2010, with Kamla Persad-Bissessar becoming the country's first female prime minister. Under the PP, a state of emergency (SOE) was declared because of a spike in killings, and curfews were declared in so called "hotspots" around the country. The SOE lasted from 21 August 2011 to 5 December 2011. However, the PP were defeated in 2015 by the PNM under Keith Rowley. In August 2020, the governing People's National Movement won general election, earning the incumbent prime minister Keith Rowley a second term in office. During the second term of Dr. Keith Rowley there were two declarations of states of emergency (SOE). The first, which came into effect on 15 May 2021, was to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. It involved curfews and restrictions on activities and public events. The second SOE came into effect on 30 December, 2024. The PM announced that it was to "address individuals who pose a threat to public safety, particularly those involved in criminal activities and the illegal use of firearms". No curfews or restrictions on public events was announced. The SOE was expected to end in mid April 2025. A curfew imposed on 18 July 2025 remains in effect as of November 2025.

During the same period, Trinidad and Tobago hosted the seventh Commonwealth Youth Games. It was originally scheduled for 2021 but was delayed due to the COVID pandemic. The games were successfully heldt 4–11 August 2023, in Trinidad and Tobago. It is first time a Caribbean country hosted the games. On 3 January 2024, Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced his intention to leave office as Prime Minister before the 2025 Trinidad and Tobago general election. On 26 February 2025 Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced he will officially resign from office on 16 March. On 6 January 2025, Prime Minister Keith Rowley made the announcement that Minister Stuart Young was elected by the Parliamentary Caucus of the People's National Movement as Prime Minister, succeeding Rowley. In April 2025, the opposition, centrist United National Congress (UNC), won the election, meaning Kamla Persad-Bissessar became the next prime minister.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is located between latitudes 10° 2' and 11° 12' N and longitudes 60° 30' and 61° 56' W. The Caribbean Sea lies to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, and the Gulf of Paria to the west. The country is close to South America, with the island of Trinidad just 6 nautical miles off the coast of Venezuela. The two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, are separated by a twenty-nautical-mile strait and are part of the continental shelf of South America.

Trinidad is much larger, covering 4,768 square kilometres, while Tobago is about 300 square kilometres. The islands have a mix of mountains and plains. Trinidad's Northern Range includes the highest peak, El Cerro del Aripo, at 940 metres above sea level. Tobago's highest point is Pigeon Peak at 550 metres. The islands have many beaches, swamps, and reservoirs, with Pitch Lake on Trinidad being the world's largest natural asphalt reservoir. Most people live on Trinidad, with major towns including the capital, Port of Spain, San Fernando, Arima, and Chaguanas. Scarborough is the main town on Tobago.

Geology

Main article: Trinidad § Geology

The Northern Range of Trinidad is made up of ancient metamorphic rocks. The Northern Lowlands consist of younger marine sediments. The Central Range has sedimentary rocks folded by movement, and the Southern Lowlands contain sands, clays, and gravels with oil and gas deposits. Pitch Lake is a famous natural asphalt lake on Trinidad.

Climate

Trinidad and Tobago has a tropical climate with a dry season for the first five months and a rainy season for the remaining seven months. The northeast trade winds dominate. Trinidad and Tobago are usually outside the main hurricane paths, but Tobago was affected by Hurricane Flora in 1963. Temperatures range from a high of 39 °C to a low of 12 °C.

Biodiversity

Further information: Environment of Trinidad and Tobago and Biota of Trinidad and Tobago

Because Trinidad and Tobago was once connected to South America, its wildlife is more similar to that of Venezuela than other Caribbean islands. The islands have many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Notable animals include the ocelot, West Indian manatee, and various species of monkeys and bats. The islands also have many types of trees, including the poisonous manchineel tree. Conservation efforts are important to protect habitats and prevent the loss of species.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is a republic with a two-party system and a parliamentary system based on the Westminster System. The head of state is the president, a mostly ceremonial role currently held by Christine Kangaloo. The head of government is the prime minister, currently Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Trinidad and Tobago has a bicameral Parliament with a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Senate has 31 appointed members, while the House of Representatives has 41 elected members. The president appoints the prime minister, who must have the support of the majority in the House of Representatives.

Trinidad is divided into 14 regions and municipalities, with elections held every three years. Tobago has its own elections and assembly.

The two main national parties are the People's National Movement and the United National Congress. Both parties generally gain support based on ethnic lines rather than political ideas.

The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force is responsible for defending the country. It includes the Regiment, the Coast Guard, the Air Guard, and the Defence Force Reserves. The Defence Force has taken part in both local and international missions.

Trinidad and Tobago maintains close relations with its Caribbean neighbors and major trading partners in North America and Europe. It plays a leading role in the Caribbean Community and supports efforts for economic integration.

Main article: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago

The main law enforcement agency is the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Other agencies include the Coast Guard, Forensic Science Centre, and Customs and Excise Division. These agencies work to keep the country safe and enforce laws.

Trinidad and Tobago faces challenges with crime and works to address these issues through various strategies and plans. The country has measures in place to prevent and respond to potential threats.

The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service manages the country's prisons. The system includes several facilities and operates at about 82% capacity. The service works to manage and support those who are incarcerated.

Trinidad and Tobago has a disaster management system to respond to natural and man-made disasters. Local, national, and specialized agencies work together to prepare for and respond to emergencies such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and oil spills.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Trinidad and Tobago

The population of Trinidad and Tobago is estimated to be between 1.4 to 1.5 million people by the mid-2020s.

Ethnic groups

Main article: Demographics of Trinidad and Tobago § Ethnic groups

The people of Trinidad and Tobago come from many backgrounds due to the island's history of different groups living there. The two largest groups are those with roots in India and those with roots in Africa.

People with Indian roots make up about 35.4% of the population. Most of them are descendants of workers who came from India to work on sugar plantations after slaves were freed. Many keep traditions from India alive today. These people mostly live on the island of Trinidad.

People with African roots make up about 34.2% of the population. Most of them are descendants of people who were brought from Africa and forced to work on plantations many years ago. This group makes up most of the people living on the island of Tobago.

The remaining people are from mixed backgrounds, or from groups such as Indigenous people, Portuguese, European, Latin American, Chinese, and Arab.

Arima in Trinidad is a special place for Indigenous culture, including the home of the Carib Queen and the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community.

There is also a Cocoa Panyol community whose ancestors came from Venezuela to work on cocoa farms.

Languages

Main article: Demographics of Trinidad and Tobago § Language

English is the official language spoken in Trinidad and Tobago. But many people also speak other languages that reflect the island's rich history.

Most people speak Trinidadian and Tobagonian Creole, which is a mix of many languages including African, Indian, European, and Indigenous words and ways of speaking.

Other languages spoken include Trinidadian English Creole, Tobagonian English Creole, Trinidadian Hindustani, Antillean French Creole (Patois), Spanish, and Chinese.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago has many different religions. Christianity is the most common, with about 65.9% of people practicing it. Hinduism is the second most common, practiced by about 22.7% of the population, mostly among people with Indian roots. Islam is practiced by about 5.9% of people.

Other religions include Rastafari, Spiritual Baptist, and Trinidad Orisha faiths, as well as Baháʼí, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism. Some people do not follow any specific religion.

Education

Main article: Education in Trinidad and Tobago

Children usually start pre-school around age two and a half, though it is not required. They begin primary school at age five and move to secondary school after seven years.

Primary school has seven levels, and at the end, students take a test to determine which secondary school they will attend.

Secondary school lasts at least five years, ending with exams similar to British GCSEs. Students who do well may continue for two more years to take advanced exams.

Public primary and secondary education is free for everyone. There are also private and religious schools that cost money.

The government helps with tuition costs for higher education at local universities up to a bachelor's degree. There are also scholarships available for students to study elsewhere.

Women

Main article: Women in Trinidad and Tobago

Women make up about 49% of the population but account for nearly 55% of the workforce.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most developed and wealthiest countries in the Caribbean. Its economy is mainly influenced by the petroleum industry, but tourism and manufacturing also play important roles. Tourism is growing, especially on the island of Tobago, though it is still smaller than in many other Caribbean places. The country grows crops like citrus and cocoa and makes goods such as food, drinks, and cement for the Caribbean area.

Oil and gas

Trinidad and Tobago leads the Caribbean in producing oil and gas, and its economy depends heavily on these. Oil and gas make up about 40% of the country's total income from production and 80% of its exports, but they only provide jobs for 5% of the people. Recent growth has come from investing in natural gas, chemicals, and steel. The country exports natural gas, mainly to Chile and the United States.

Trinidad and Tobago changed from an economy based on oil to one based on natural gas. Natural gas production was 18.5 billion cubic meters in 2017, a small drop from 2016. Oil production has fallen over the past ten years. In 2005, a big plant started making more natural gas, increasing production by almost half.

Tourism

Trinidad and Tobago does not rely as much on tourism as many other Caribbean places. Most tourist activities happen on Tobago. The government has been working to grow this part of the economy. Visitors enjoy the island's food culture and cultural events, with Aripita Avenue in Port of Spain being a popular spot.

Agriculture

Historically, farming—especially sugar and coffee—was very important. Sugar was the biggest crop, sold mainly to the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Cocoa was the second most important crop. Sugar farming mostly stopped around 2010 because prices were low and it cost too much to make. Most farmers now grow cocoa to sell to countries that cannot grow it themselves. As other countries started growing cocoa more cheaply, Trinidad lost many customers. Farming is now a small part of the economy, making up just 0.4% and employing 3.1% of workers. Farmers grow fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, eggplant, and cassava. Fishing is also common.

Economic diversification

Trinidad and Tobago created an organization called InvesTT in 2012 to help grow parts of the economy that are not based on oil and gas. This group works with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to support new businesses.

Food and beverage industry

See also: Category:Food and drink companies of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is home to the biggest brewery in the Caribbean, Carib Brewery. The country also has food production facilities, including a Nestle plant. Because there is less land and higher incomes, many foods are imported, but local products like milk, chocolate, coconuts, and alcoholic drinks are also made. In 2022, the food, drink, and tobacco industry made almost 8 billion Trinidadian dollars.

One well-known restaurant chain is Royal Castle.

Communications infrastructure

Trinidad and Tobago has a strong communications system. In 2014, the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors made about TT$5.63 billion, which was 3.1% of the country's total income from production. Mobile phone services were the biggest part, followed by internet services, phone lines, and television. There are several companies that provide these services.

Creative industries

The government sees creative industries—like music, film, and fashion—as ways to help the economy grow. In 2015, the Trinidad and Tobago Creative Industries Company was created to support these areas and help create wealth.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago has many roads and highways on both main islands. Ferries connect Port of Spain with Scarborough and San Fernando. There are international airports on both islands. Piarco International Airport on Trinidad is the main one, with two terminals for international and domestic flights. It was named the Best Airport in the Caribbean in 2023. The island of Tobago has A.N.R. Robinson International Airport, with flights to North America and Europe. There are also regular flights between the two islands.

Trinidad used to have a railway, but it closed in 1968. There have been discussions about building a new one, but nothing has happened yet.

Energy policy and climate change

Trinidad and Tobago is a big exporter of oil and gas but imports most of the fossil fuels used by its Caribbean neighbors. This led to a regional energy policy in 2013, aiming to use more renewable energy. By 2027, member states want 47% of their electricity to come from renewable sources.

In 2014, Trinidad and Tobago was one of the top countries in the world for producing the most CO₂ per person. Each person produced about 34 metric tons of CO₂ that year, much higher than the world average of 5 tons. Recently, CO₂ emissions have gone down, but the country still produces a lot compared to others. The country is working on research and support for climate change and sustainable industries.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago has a rich and diverse culture. This comes from the many different groups of people who have lived on the islands over time, including those from Africa, India, Europe, China, and the Americas.

The islands are famous for their music, dances, and festivals. Steelpan music, the limbo dance, and the colorful Carnival celebrations are just a few examples of the lively traditions found here.

Art and design

See also: List of Trinidad and Tobago artists

Trinidadian designer Peter Minshall is well-known for his beautiful Carnival costumes. He has also helped create ceremonies for big international events like the Barcelona Olympics, the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Cuisine

Main article: Cuisine of Trinidad and Tobago

The food in Trinidad and Tobago is very varied, showing influences from many places. Popular street foods include doubles, which are two flatbreads filled with curried chickpeas. Other dishes come from African, Indian, Chinese, and European traditions. Some well-known meals are curry with crab and dumplings, roasted chicken, fried fish, and many types of rice and rice dishes. There are also sweet treats like cassavapone, a kind of sweet bread made from cassava.

Dance

The limbo dance started in Trinidad during events held at wakes. It became very popular in the 1950s. Other dances with African roots include Bélé, Bongo, and wining.

Trinidad also has many Indian dance styles, like Kathak, Odissi, and Bharatanatyam. Folk dances and dances from Bollywood movies are also enjoyed.

Festivals and holidays

Further information: Public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago

The islands are best known for their big Carnival celebrations. There are also many holidays based on different religions and cultures. For example, Hindu festivals like Diwali are celebrated, as well as Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas. People of Indian descent celebrate Indian Arrival Day, remembering when their ancestors came to the islands. People of African descent celebrate Emancipation Day, marking freedom from slavery. There are also national holidays like Independence Day.

Literature

Trinidad and Tobago has produced famous writers, including two winners of the Nobel Prize: V. S. Naipaul and Derek Walcott. Other well-known authors from the islands include Michael Anthony, Earl Lovelace, and Samuel Selvon.

Music

Main article: Music of Trinidad and Tobago

Further information: Indo-Caribbean music and Afro-Caribbean music

Trinidad and Tobago is where calypso and steelpan music began. The islands are also home to soca music, chutney music, and many other types of music.

Media and theatre

Main articles: List of newspapers in Trinidad and Tobago, Radio in Trinidad and Tobago, and Television in Trinidad and Tobago

See also: List of Trinidad and Tobago films

Geoffrey Holder and Heather Headley are two famous Trinidadian performers who have won big awards for their work in theatre and music.

Museums and gardens

Main article: List of museums in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago has many museums. These museums show many different things, from art and history to cars and animals.

Sports

Olympic sports

Hasely Crawford won the first Olympic gold medal for Trinidad and Tobago. He won in the 100-metre race at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Other athletes from Trinidad and Tobago have also won medals in events like running, swimming, and throwing.

In 2023, Trinidad and Tobago hosted the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.

In 2024, sprinter Leah Bertrand will compete in the Paris Olympics for the first time. Trinidad and Tobago sent about 17 athletes to the games, including runners, swimmers, and cyclists.

(see also Trinidad and Tobago at the 2024 Summer Olympics)

Cricket

See also: Cricket in the West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago national cricket team

Cricket is a very popular sport in Trinidad and Tobago. The country’s team plays in international competitions as part of the West Indies team. The Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain is one of the biggest cricket stadiums in the West Indies.

Football

Main article: Association football in Trinidad and Tobago

Football is also widely played in Trinidad and Tobago. The country’s national team once qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, making them one of the smaller countries to ever reach the World Cup.

Basketball

See also: Trinidad and Tobago national basketball team

Basketball is played in schools and colleges, and the national team has done well in Caribbean competitions.

Other sports

Netball used to be very popular but has become less so in recent years. Rugby and horse racing are also followed by many people. There are golf courses on the islands, and bodybuilding is growing in popularity. Dragonboat racing is a newer sport that is becoming more popular. The Trinidad and Tobago Chess Championship has been held every year since 1937.

National symbols

Main article: National symbols of Trinidad and Tobago

Flag

Main article: Flag of Trinidad and Tobago

The flag was chosen by the Independence committee in 1962. Red, black and white represent the warmth of the people, the richness of the earth and water respectively.

Coat of arms

Main article: Coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago

The coat of arms was designed by the Independence committee, and features the scarlet ibis (native to Trinidad), the cocrico (native to Tobago) and hummingbird. The shield bears the steelpan which is the National instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.

National anthem and national songs

Main article: Forged from the Love of Liberty

The national anthem of the twin-island state is "Forged from the Love of Liberty".

Other national songs include "God Bless Our Nation" and "Our Nation's Dawning".

National flower

The national flower of Trinidad and Tobago is the chaconia flower. It was chosen as the national flower because it is an indigenous flower that has witnessed the history of Trinidad and Tobago. It was also chosen as the national flower because of its red colour that resembles the red of the national flag and coat of arms and because it blooms around the Independence Day of Trinidad and Tobago.

National birds

Main articles: Scarlet ibis and Rufous-vented chachalaca

The national birds of Trinidad and Tobago are the scarlet ibis and the cocrico. The scarlet ibis is kept safe by the government by living in the Caroni Bird Sanctuary which was set up by the government for the protection of these birds. The Cocrico is more indigenous to the island of Tobago and is more likely to be seen in the forest. The hummingbird is considered another symbol of Trinidad and Tobago due to its significance to the Indigenous peoples, however, it is not a national bird.

National Instrument

The steelpan was approved by both Houses of Parliament to be the National instrument of Trinidad and Tobago on January 13 and 21, 2025. The steelpan is also featured in the Coat of Arms.