Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

President: Maxwell Richards (2003)

Prime Minister: Patrick Manning (2001)

Area: Trinidad 4828 sq km (1883 sq mi); Tobago 300 sq km (117 sq mi)

Population  (2003 est.): 1,270,000 (Trinidad 1,220,000; Tobago 51,000) (growth rate: 0.4%); birth rate: 12.7/1000; density per sq km: 253

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Port-of-Spain, 263,800 (metro. area), 45,300 (city proper)

Position- Between 61 degree and 12 degree W. longitude and 10 degree and 11 degree N. latitude.

Tobago- Cocrico (brownish)

Area- Trinidad- 4828 sq km

Tobago- 300 sq km

Highest point- Trinidad-El Cerro del Aripo- 940m high

Tobago- Main Ridge- 618m high

Seasons- Dry season (Jan-May) and a Rainy Season (June-December).

Rainfall - Trinidad- average rainfall- 1869mm annually

Tobago- average rainfall- 1300mm annually

Temperature- from 28 degree Celsius on a cool day to 33 degree C on a hot day.

Coolest months in Trinidad and Tobago are from December to February.

Important Dates- 1498- Christopher Columbus re-discovers Trinidad.

1834- The abolition of slavery in Trinidad.

Aug 31, 1962- Independence of Trinidad and Tobago.

Aug 1, 1976- Trinidad and Tobago became a Republic (However September 24 was declared Republic Day to mark the historic first Republican Parliament Meeting).

Monetary unit: Trinidad and Tobago dollar

Languages: English (official), but Hindi, Creole, French, Spanish also spoken.

Ethnicity/race: black 39.5%, East Indian (a local term—primarily immigrants from northern India) 40.3%, mixed 18.4%, white 0.6%, Chinese and other (Syrian, Lebanese and Carib minorities) 1.2%

Religions: Roman Catholic 29.4%, Hindu 23.8%, Anglican 10.9%, Islam 5.8%, Presbyterian 3.4%, other 26.7%

Literacy rate: 94% (2000)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2001 est.): $10.6 billion; per capita $9,000. 

Real growth rate: 4%. Inflation: 5.6%. 

Agriculture: cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry. Labor force: 564,000 (2000); construction and utilities 12%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14%, agriculture 10%, services 64%. 

Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles. 

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt. 

Exports: $4.1 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.): petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers. Imports: $3.5 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.): machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals. 

Major trading partners: U.S., Caricom countries, Latin America, EU.

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 252,000 (1999); mobile cellular: 17,411 (1997). Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 10 (1998). Radios: 680,000 (1997).

Television broadcast stations: 4 (1997). Televisions: 425,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 17 (2000). Internet users: 120,000 (2002).

Transportation: Railways: minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando; railway service was discontinued in 1968 (2001).

Highways: total: 8,320 km; paved: 4,252 km; unpaved: 4,068 km (1996). Ports and harbors: Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora. Airports: 6 (2001).

Business: Banks are open Monday to Thursday, 8am-2pm; Friday, 9am-12noon and 3-5pm.

Shops:  open 8.30am-4pm Monday – Thursday and until 600pm Friday

Electricity: 110/220 volts

Telephone Codes:   1 -  868

Airport Departure Tax:  TT$100.00

International disputes: none.

Currency:
Trinidad & Tobago Dollar (TTD)
Exchange rates

Trinidad and Tobago Weather Forecast

The Chaconia- native to our forests and bloom during the months of August and September.