Trinidad And Tobago

Trinidad And Tobago Background

The islands came under British control in the 19th century; independence was granted in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing.

Trinidad And Tobago Information

• Population: 1,096,585 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian
• Location:: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
• Religions:: Roman Catholic 29.4%, Hindu 23.8%, Anglican 10.9%, Muslim 5.8%, Presbyterian 3.4%, other 26.7%
• Ethnic Groups:: East Indian (a local term - primarily immigrants from northern India) 40.3%, black 39.5%, mixed 18.4%, white 0.6%, Chinese and other 1.2%
• Land Boundaries:: 0 km
• Area: total: 5,128 sq km land: 5,128 sq km water: 0 sq km
• Coast Line: 362 km
• Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December)
• Terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains
• Maritime Claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin contiguous zone: 24 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
• Land Use: arable land: 14.62% permanent crops: 9.16% other: 76.22% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion
• Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt
• Highways: total: 8,320 km paved: 4,252 km unpaved: 4,068 km (1999 est.)
• Railways:
• Ports & Harbours: Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora
• Airports: 6 (2003 est.)