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Ato Jabari Boldon | Brian Charles Lara | Trinbago Carnival 1999
ABOUT TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
| GEOGRAPHY The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are the southernmost islands in the Caribbean chain, only 10 km (7 miles) from the Venezuelan coast and geologically part of South America. The two islands are 33 km (21 miles) apart. TRINIDAD has a total land area of 4,828 sq. km and is half forested, with a range of low mountains running along the north coast. There is a flat central plain, with rolling hills in the south. TOBAGO has a total land area of 303 sq. km and possesses a central spine of hills, with flatter land in the south. The national capital is Port-of-Spain (pop. 350 000); Tobago’s capital is Scarborough. Other major urban areas are San Fernando in the south, Chaguanas (central) and Arima (east). There is major industrial development in capital-intensive energy sector projects along the South-Western Coast especially in Point Lisas, Pointe-a-Pierre and Point Fortin. Of the collective land area of 5,131 sq. km or 512,843 hectares, 35% is allocated to agriculture while more than half the total area or 280,000 hectares is covered by forest including long-term tree crops. CLIMATE Average temperature : 29oC (83oF). with a maximum daily temperature in the low to mid 30s. June to December are the wettest months, with rainfall mostly in short sharp bursts; Tobago is often slightly cooler and less humid than Trinidad. POPULATION 1.3 million (Tobago : 50 000) tracing their roots back to Africa (40%), India (40%), Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and China. Most major religions are represented, including Christianity (Roman Catholic 29%, Anglican 11%, Presbyterian, Methodist and Evangelical faiths), Hinduism (24%), Islam (6%) and traditional African faiths. Trinidad and Tobago is the second most populous country in the English-speaking Caribbean (Jamaica is first). 50% of the population are males and 50% are females. LANGUAGE The official language is English; the old French-based patois has almost died out, Latin American Spanish is used in the Christmas "parang" art-form, and some Hindi is used in the East Indian community. LABOUR FORCE The labour force in June 1997 stood at 540,000 persons compared with 530,000 persons in 1996. Unemployment decreased to 14.2% in 1997 from 16.1% in 1996. This declining trend is expected to continue to the year 2000. For the period January to June 1997, the Non-Oil sector provided 76% of the available jobs as it did for the corresponding period in 1996. According to the Central Statistical Office (CSO), 14,000 additional jobs were created over the 6-month period compared to 11,250 in the similar period for 1996. The largest increase in employment was recorded in Sugar (19.9%), followed by Construction (16.9%), Storage and Communication (8.5%) and Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Business Services (5%), in that order. Working conditions are good, and the norm is a 5-day, 40-hour work week. ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE Trinidad and Tobago has a good network of roads totalling some 1,300 km. Main roads constitute 800 km and the remainder is comprised of local and private roads. The Uriah Butler and Solomon Hochoy Highways connect the two cities - Port of Spain in the north and San Fernando in the south, while the Beetham and Churchill Roosevelt Highways connect Port of Spain to Arima, the major town in the east. A vigorous road network expansion and rehabilitation programme is ongoing presently. PUBLIC TRANSPORT Road transport is effected mainly through buses and thousands of shared route taxis (cars and minibuses, popularly known as "maxi taxis"). The buses are operated by the State-run Public Transport Service Corporation. A well-paved route spanning approximately 28 km from Port of Spain to Arima and following a path of the abandoned railway (renamed the Priority Bus Route) is used almost exclusively for buses and hundreds of permitted maxi taxis and thus facilitates the swift movement of passengers along the East-West "Corridor". AIR AND SEA TRANSPORT Two ports, Port of Spain in the north and Point Lisas in central Trinidad, form the nucleus of the shipping operations. The harbour at Point Lisas was developed in the 1970s to facilitate growing industrial activities in central and south Trinidad. In the late 1980s to early 1990s, the Port of Spain and Scarborough (Tobago) ports were modified for use as Cruise Ship Terminals, given that cruise ship arrivals were expected to emerge as a significant element of Tourism development in the 1990s. A twice daily inter-island ferry service is in operation between the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Two international airports, Piarco in Trinidad, and Crown Point in Tobago, currently serve the needs of the country. The Piarco airport is currently undergoing major redevelopment in response to the rapid increase in Trinidad and Tobago's passenger traffic.
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ECONOMYTrinidad and
Tobago is without a doubt the most industrialized nation in the English-speaking
Caribbean. The country's prosperity is based, for the most part, on the commercial
extraction and processing of its rich natural energy resources. Consequently, Trinidad and
Tobago is a major Western Hemisphere exporter of oil, natural gas, ammonia, methanol and
other petrochemicals. Cash crops such as sugar, cocoa and coffee are also exported,
although not to the same extent as in the past.
There is a relatively small, but
quickly developing non-oil manufacturing sector which exports mainly to the regional
market in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and to the larger West Indian Diaspora in
North America and Europe. The products exported are as diverse as they are fundamental,
and they include carbonated beverages, juices, alcohol, confectioneries, breads, biscuits
and pastries, processed condiments, clothing, electrical equipment and so on.
The country has also been
nurturing a moderate tourism-based industry centred, in Trinidad, primarily around the
pre-Lenten Carnival festival which is often dubbed, "The Greatest Show on
Earth". In Tobago, several white sand, unspoilt beaches, resort-style hotels/spas,
and cosy guest houses/bed-and-breakfast facilities cater for a largely European tourist
market. The quiet, lazy idyllic lifestyle of Tobago draws the type of visitor who desires
a relaxing vacation, often lying on the beach, or on a hammock set up between the coconut
trees on the heavily palm-fringed beaches. Event-type tourism has also become common, with
the success of the two-day Carnival festival. Tobago is in the process of expanding its
market into non-traditional tourism periods with summer events such as the Tobago Heritage
Festival and Tobago Fest, along with the long-standing events such as the Angostura
Sailing Week. Trinidad has recently launched its indents (Independence Feast) in late
August, with other events such as Too Season, and Point Fortin Borough Day being supported
by the State tourism sector.
The Eco-tourism sector has
expanded dramatically, with Trinidad and Tobago's South American-related geography
complete with rain-forests, waterfalls, and rugged hiking trails drawing on the rapidly
developing "adventure tourist" market. A thriving industry has developed around
the visitor who seeks vacations which incorporate diverse elements such as bird-watching, sailing, deep-sea scuba-diving among coral reefs and manta rays, fresh-water
kayaking, canoeing, and hiking along with the traditional sun, sand and sea (both of which
the islands possess in abundance).
A relatively new form of tourism
has also been well supported by Trinidad (especially) - the yachting industry. Trinidad's
geographical position, well away from the traditional path of hurricanes and severe
tropical weather enables it to provide a safe haven for "yachties" who are
travelling through the Caribbean region by way of the Gulf of Paria. A well-developed
dry-docking and yacht maintenance industry has been recently supported by the
establishment of full-scale luxury marinas, complete with restaurants, supermarkets,
banking and hotel-type facilities. Chaguaramas, on Trinidad's North-West peninsula has
been the focus of this development which is expanding even further as you read this.
More recently, there has been the
emergence of what are sometimes termed "cultural exports" with the thriving
Carnival industry providing both the Caribbean region and the wider Diaspora with a wealth
of human resources that are tapped on a year-round basis by the numerous Carnival-type
festivals springing up throughout the Caribbean, North America and Europe. Carnival
Bandleaders, Costume Designers, Craftsmen, Artisans and Musicians are providing their
services continuously to these new markets, and at the same time opening up the Trinidad
and Tobago market even further to cultural tourism through a classic form of cultural
exchange. Visit InvestTnT.com for more information
EXPORTS For the period January to July 1997, exports amounted to US$ 9.924 billion compared with US$ 8.495 billion for the corresponding period in 1996. The USA remained the largest market for this country's goods and services, while the UK, CARICOM, and in recent years, Latin America, are important markets. IMPORTS For the period January to July 1997, imports amounted to US$ 9.421 billion compared with US$ 7.252 billion for the corresponding period in 1996. The United States remained the country's major source of imports, while the European Community and Latin America are other important sources. NATIONAL INCOME Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current market prices was estimated at TT$ 36.3 billion in 1997, compared with $33.9 billion in 1996. Real Gross Domestic Product (inflation discounted) increased by 3.2% in 1997, following an increase of 3.5% in 1996. The Non-Oil sector contributed 72% to GDP compared with 70% in 1996. Manufacturing (excluding Petroleum and Petro-Chemicals) 8% as it did in 1996 and Agriculture 2% (same as in 1996). |
"There are two sides to every story - and Trinidad and Tobago is no exception. On one side there’s TRINIDAD : energetic, exciting; a melting pot of races, cultures and ideas. This, for the most part, is a place of stimulus and excitement rather than relaxation. It demands participation: in a sport, a festival, a journey of discovery. A place that gives back what is put into it.
The flip side is TOBAGO, serene, philosophical, dreaming beneath the sun and the wash of the waves. Tobago, where the sea’s blue is startling and the roads wind like snakes along the steep green hillsides, is the place of dozing on a hammock, snorkelling on a reef, sipping a rum punch at sunset. A place for rest, or romance; for regeneration. Toss a coin, take your pick; choose one island or both. Heads or tails - you win. Expect an unforgettable experience. "(from Donna Yawching - "Discover Trinidad and Tobago", Media and Editorial Projects)
The National Instrument of Trinidad and Tobago :
Check also the excellent "Pan Page" (maintained by a Swede!)
Note : AMOCO Renegades Steel Orchestra's Site is listed below.
Trinidad & Tobago
Carnival
IMAGES OF CARNIVAL 1998 IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
(Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger version of the image)
(All pictures are courtesy the Trinidad Express)
Now, join us for the last Carnival of the 20th century . . .
One Carnival you simply cannot afford to miss !
Play mas' in these carnival bands with on-line service !
POISON (Funlovers Inc.) : 1999 presentation - "GALACTICA"
PETER MINSHALL & THE CALLALOO CO. : 1999 presentation - "THE LOST TRIBE"
HARTS' CARNIVAL INC. : 1999 presentation - "LOCAL MOTION"
BARBAROSSA : 1999 presentation - "JEWEL OF THE NILE"
LEGENDS (BIG MIKE, IAN & FRIENDS) : 1999 presentation - "DYNASTY"
FUNTASIA : 1999 presentation - "RIVERLIME"
WAYNE BERKELY and MASQUERADE : 1999 presentation - "TRAPEZE"
DESERT RATS (J'ouvert and Monday Nite Mas')
* Visit the National Carnival Commission's Official Site for more info.
(Editor's Note : This site does not appears to be updated regularly - Check www.visittnt.com or www.tidco.co.tt for better and more regular "official" info, or click here to go to our Trinbago Carnival 1999 page.)
PORT-OF-SPAIN : A DIVERSE & BEAUTIFUL CAPITAL
(Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger version of the image)
TRINBAGO BEACHES
(Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger version of the image)
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
The Coat of Arms The National Flag
Trinidad and Tobago is a Republic under the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago Act of 1976 with the President as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is elected by an Electoral College compromising all members of the Senate and the House of Representatives voting by secret ballot.
The Parliament is organised according to the Westminster system and the 1976 Constitution provides for a Bicameral Legislature composed of an Upper House - the Senate, and a Lower House - the House of Representatives. The Senate consists of 31 members, 16 being appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, 6 on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and 9 at the discretion of the President (known as Independent Senators). The House of Representatives consists of 36 (34 for Trinidad and 2 for Tobago) members elected by the citizens at the General Elections and a Speaker who is elected from either with or outside the House of Representatives.
Executive power is vested in the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President, and the Cabinet. At the General Election of November 6, 1995, the United National Congress (UNC) won 17 seats, the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) 2, and the People's National Movement (PNM) 17. The UNC and the NAR formed the coalition Government with the PNM becoming the official Opposition. In 1997 two PNM MPs (Point Fortin and Arima) crossed the floor and became Independent MPs, while one MP from the NAR resigned from the party and became an Independent. She remained in the Government coalition, however as a Cabinet Minister. In 1998, the same ex-NAR MP (now Independent) resigned from the Government and the Cabinet and now sits on the side of the Opposition as an Independent. As such, the new Government configuration is UNC/NAR/Independents 20, while the Opposition PNM/Independent numbers 16. This has interesting implications for passage of any legislation that effects changes to the Trinidad and Tobago Constitution, since passage of such legislation requires a two-thirds majority vote (24 out of the total of 36).
(see The Government of Trinidad and Tobago's Official Web Site for more info)
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(Visit here to see who's who in the Government of Trinidad and Tobago)
SOME LINKS TO THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
OF
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
(This list is not exhaustive. Feel free to send
in relevant URLS. Email to anansiweb@usa.net)
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Ato Jabari Boldon | Brian Charles Lara | Trinbago Carnival 1999
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This page was last updated January 24, 1999.
