Trinidad and Tobago: The Awesome Caribbean Islands
Trinidad and Tobago is a Caribbean island nation that offers tourists many opportunities for fun in the sun. The country has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, which are perfect for those looking to relax on their vacations.
It has an incredible variety of landscapes, from rainforests, to mountains, to beaches and a diverse range of wildlife unique to the country.
There’s plenty to explore in this country that is rich in natural beauty.
Table of Contents
Geography
Trinidad Beach
Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelago in the southern-most part of the Caribbean, sharing maritime boundaries with Venezuela, Grenada and Barbados.
The country’s capital city is Port of Spain which once hosted the Fifth Summit of the Americas in 2009, whose guests included the former United States President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Port of Spain’s skyline is full of imposing skyscrapers which are actually some of the tallest in the Caribbean.
Port-of-Spain Buildings
Area: Trinidad is the larger of the two islands with an area of 4,828 square kilometers (1,864 square miles).
Tobago has an area of roughly 300 square kilometres (116 square miles).
Together both Trinidad and Tobago have a total area of 5,128 square kilometers (1,980 square miles)
Climate: Trinidad and Tobago has a tropical climate with warm temperatures and a relatively high humidity.
There are only two seasons: the dry season, from January to May and the wet season which lasts from June to December.
Economy
Currency: The currency used in Trinidad and Tobago is the Trinidadian dollar (TT$).
Trinidad and Tobago is the wealthiest country of all the Caribbean islands.
Unlike most of the other Caribbean islands, Trinidad’s main source of revenue is not tourism.
Instead, the economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas production from its large natural reserves.
Even with this, Trinidad is still a major tourism destination for those seeking out beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine, and rich cultural experiences.
Digital Transformation
Trinidad and Tobago’s digital transformation has been a long time coming.
The country, despite being one of the richest in the Caribbean, has fallen behind other countries like Jamaica in terms of technology.
But for Trinidad and Tobago, the digital transformation could be a game changer.
The pandemic has helped to accelerate the adoption of online services in the country including online applications for government services.
And with lowering costs for businesses to get a website in Trinidad, many have been quickly building up their online presence to stay profitable during periods of government imposed lockdowns.
Population
Trinidad and Tobago Passport
Trinidad and Tobago has a population of roughly 1.4 million people.
The country’s population density is 273 per square km.
Port of Spain is the most dense area of the twin islands at 4,086 persons per sq. km. as at 2000.
People from Trinidad and Tobago are known as ‘Trinbagonians’ or more commonly ‘Trinis‘.
Trinis share a multicultural society, home to people of many different nationalities, ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Language and Religion
English is the official language in Trinidad and Tobago.
But Trini’s don’t just speak plain English, they possess one of the top sexiest accents in the world according to a CNN poll.
You may not understand everything you hear, but you’ll enjoy hearing it anyway.
Lately with the influx of Venezuelan migrants, Spanish is slowly becoming more prominent as a spoken language in Trinidad.
Christianity is the major religion with Catholicism being practiced by most Trinidadians.
Other religions include Hinduism, Islam and other Christian denominations (such as Presbyterian).
History and Culture
The earliest known inhabitants of Trinidad was the Arawak Indians who were killed by early European settlers
After colonization by the Spanish in 1592, the island remained under Spanish rule until it was captured by the British in 1797.
Eventually Trinidad hoisted its own flag when it was given its independence on the 31th of August 1962.
Trinidad’s culture is influenced by music like calypso and soca, as well as steel pan (the latter being exported to many other countries).
Carnival – The Greatest Show on Earth
Trinidadians and Tobagonians also have a lot of pride for their Carnival celebrations which are one part entertainment but another part an expression of cultural beliefs with folk traditions dating back hundreds of years.
Trinidad’s Carnival is the largest and most significant festival in Trinidad.
Street celebrations are held during a 2-day period on Monday and Tuesday leading up to Ash Wednesday.
Trinidad and Tobago Cuisine
Trinbagonians enjoy a wide range of dishes, with cuisine from all over the world.
The Trinidadian cuisine is a blend of French Creole cooking with its African, Indian and East Asian influences.
Local dishes include roti, callaloo (a type of soup), doubles (a type of street food), curried goat and many others.
Food in T&T is sometimes seasoned with chadon beni among other herbs found all over the island.
Awesome Facts about Trinidad and Tobago
- The world’s largest roundabout is at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Trinidad’s capital, Port-of-Spain.
- Trinidad’s Pitch Lake is the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world.
- Trinidad and Tobago is the first country in the world to declare a public holiday to commemorate the end of Slavery from the British Empire on the 1st of August, 1985.
- Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Janelle Penny Commissiong in 1977 became the first black woman ever to win the Miss Universe Competition.
- Tobago is home to the world’s largest brain coral measuring 10ft (3m) high and 16ft (5.3m) across.
- The popular limbo dance was created in Trinidad.
About the Author: Jian Brant
