Why forests are disappearing in Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad Island: origin of the name, where it is located. Trinidad Island: Geography

In the legendary Caribbean Sea there is an island state, 80% of which is occupied by the island of Trinidad - a concentration of nature reserves, clean beaches, virgin nature and modern, colorful cities.

The location of the island of Trinidad on the map is the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - a small archipelago between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The country consists of two large islands, Trinidad and, as well as numerous small islands: Chacachacare, Monos, Huevos, Gaspar Grande, St. Giles Islands.

The capital of the country, the city, is located on the island.

Mud volcanoes stretch along the southern shores of the island. Half of Trinidad's territory is filled with tropical forests.

You will also encounter a very diverse ethnic composition here. 60% of the population are descendants of slaves who worked for the colonialists, 20% are Trinidadians, descendants of Arabs, Chinese and Europeans.

Climatic features

There is no difference between the seasons on the island. The average annual air temperature ranges from +25 to +28 degrees above zero. And even during the rainy season, the weather in Trinidad is very sunny. It rains from May to September. And, from October to April, the island experiences sunny weather with high humidity. Therefore, during this period it is recommended to transfer the heat to the coast of the island rather than in its depths.

Due to the unique location of the state, there are never hurricanes or tsunamis. And the best time to travel to the island of Trinidad is from November to April.

Nature

The nature on the island is unique and diverse. Unlike its neighboring island, the terrain on Trinidad is predominantly flat. On the slopes of the Northern Range you will encounter tropical rainforests. Here you will enjoy the wonderful view of fifty valuable trees. The central part of the main island is dominated by evergreen forests, which have undergone significant anthropogenic changes.

On the northern coast of the island you can have a good rest on the incomparable beaches with gentle sun and soft sand. Ecotourism lovers will enjoy the island with its colorful nature reserves with numerous exotic animals, birds and reptiles.

You can often hear another name for Trinidad - the Island of Birds, and it is not surprising, because it is here that the symbol of the country, the scarlet ibis, and 157 other species of rare birds live. Observation platforms were built especially for tourists.

Island attractions

You can visit many of the sights of Trinidad on your own, but it is better to use the help of guides, as there are such natural places, which an ordinary tourist is unlikely to be able to find without outside help.

Bitumen lake in Trinidad. In the southwest of the island there is a lake, which is eighty meters deep and contains more than six million tons of asphalt. Therefore, it is often also called an asphalt lake.
Reserve. The scarlet ibis, the symbol bird of Trinidad, lives here. There are also some species of local herons here. If you love long walks in nature, go on a two-hour boat ride, just be sure to bring binoculars.
Shakashakari Island. This uninhabited island is full of secrets and mysteries. There was once a cotton-growing settlement here. Then the settlement turned into a haven for whalers, and then completely became a gloomy leper colony. Today, only a lighthouse operates here, which is looked after by caring staff.
is the most famous mud volcano in Trinidad. This is the most picturesque nature education, which suits the taste of any tourist.
Maracas Bay. This beach is the longest on the island of Trinidad. Here tourists are offered all sorts of entertainment centers, recreation centers and attractions.
. It is located in the capital of the state. All the city's energy is concentrated here, the best shops and local culture are concentrated here.
Nature Center is the oldest nature reserve in the Caribbean. It is home to a myriad of birds, animals, butterflies and reptiles.
Brian Lara Boulevard. It can be found in . Here, residents and tourists of the island can stroll leisurely, looking at the most beautiful part of the city. Free concert performances are often held here.

Which cities to visit?

In the capital of the state you will find many museums that have absorbed the history of the island, starting from the time of settlement by Indian tribes. Here, look at interesting cultural and architectural monuments, take a closer look at the Royal Museum, the Museum of History, the Ginderbrad House residence,.

Also visit the old European city of St. Joseph, which was once the first capital of the country of Trinidad and Tobago. Here you will discover characteristic colonial architecture. The grandiose Mohammid Al-Jinnah Mosque causes great delight among tourists.

The fastest growing city in the country, after the largest cities of San Juan and, can rightfully be called. This town has a wonderful flavor and originality; shopping lovers will find something to their liking here. And near the city of Chaguanas you can visit, which is the most visited Hindu temple in the Caribbean.

Where to stay in Trinidad?

If you are looking for a hotel with excellent service and environmental friendliness, you should check out Coco Reef Resort&Spa and Blue Haven Resort. But the most best hotels located in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain. There are only eleven of them, and eight of them are three-star. If you are looking for a thrill, then you should definitely stay at a hotel located on a rock above a cliff. You can only enter it through the roof.

What to do for fun?

The island nation is a popular ecotourism destination. Holidays in Trinidad will suit every tourist's taste, as here you can engage in water and beach sports, diving, sailing, fishing, tennis, golf, football and cricket.

From February 26 to March 7, a grand carnival is held on the island. From the very first minutes of the celebration, the dancers drag spectators onto chariots, offer rum and persuade them to dance.

Various souvenir shops offer vacationers to buy folk art products. These include paintings by local artists, dolls, various bamboo crafts, and CDs of local ensembles. The only thing to remember is that shopping time in Trinidad is limited, as all stores close early. On weekdays, stores are open from eight in the morning to four in the evening, on Saturday from eight in the morning to one in the afternoon.

How to get to the island?

Get ready for the fact that the road to the island state will involve transfers in cities in Europe or America. If transit takes a long time, you will need to obtain transit visa the state in which you will be transferring.

Most often, tourists stop in London with a further transfer to a British Airways plane. If you choose Frankfurt as your disembarkation point, then you will need to use the services of Lufthansa. When disembarking in Amsterdam, you should give preference to KLM aircraft, which will take you directly to the capital of the island.

In addition, you can use the Moscow-USA-Trinidad and Tobago or Moscow-Canada-Trinidad and Tobago routes. Here you will need a US or Canadian transit visa.

general information

The original inhabitants of Trinidad were the Arawak Indians, who called their homeland “the land of the hummingbird.” The Indians were later almost completely exterminated, and black slaves were brought to the islands to work on sugar plantations. In the 19th century, workers from South-East Asia. As a result, the country's population has a rather variegated ethnic composition: blacks and mulattoes make up about 60%, Indians - 37%, Chinese - 1%, Europeans - 1%.

Trinidad is separated from the South American mainland by narrow bays. The mountains and hills of the island are covered with evergreen tropical rainforests with a huge variety of tree species. The climate of the country is humid and tropical. During the dry season, from January to May, the heat is moderated by the trade winds. During the rainy season, tropical rainfall hits the islands (up to 3800 mm of precipitation falls per year in the northeast of the island of Trinidad).

The most populated area is West Coast overlooking the Gulf of Paria. The capital and main ports are located here. The country's economy is based on oil production and refining. IN agriculture Sugar cane production predominates. Residents of Tobago claim that their homeland is Robinson Crusoe Island, which helps attract tourists from the United States and Europe.

Culture

In Trinidad and Tobago there is no racial discrimination and cultures of different nations coexist peacefully. Thus, in Port of Spain there are Christian churches, Hindu temples and Muslim mosques, oriental music is played and characteristic West Indian noise orchestras (steelband groups) perform on metal cans and fuel barrels. Originated in Trinidad and Tabago the new kind folk music - calypso. These are short, witty songs on the topic of the day, performed in African rhythms and rich in dialect vocabulary. Trinidad hosts Muslim and Hindu festivals, and before Lent there are world-famous carnivals, not inferior in scale and beauty to the famous carnivals in Rio de Janeiro.

A person's belonging to a certain social group determined by his material wealth. The main social problem is poverty, which is widespread in the country despite the fact that the national annual per capita income in 2000 was $9,500 (one of the highest in the Caribbean). In the early 1970s, the country's government began introducing a public insurance system that provided old-age, disability, and survivors' pensions, as well as sickness, maternity, and newborn benefits. Medical care in state medical institutions is free.

Primary and secondary education is also free, and primary six-year schooling is compulsory. In school programs great place is devoted to the study of culture, history, geography and social life of the countries of the Caribbean Community and vocational and technical training for secondary school students. Many public primary and secondary schools are run by religious communities but funded by the government. There are a large number of private secondary schools in the country. In Port of Spain there are the agricultural and technical faculties and the College of Sciences and Arts of the Trinidad branch of the University of the West Indies, in San Fernando - the Technical Institute and the Polytechnic Institute.

Nature

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are located on the continental shelf South America. The island of Trinidad is separated from the mainland by the Gulf of Paria and two narrow straits. The low, strongly dissected Northern Range of this island, with the highest point of the country, Mount Aripo (940 m), is a continuation of the Coastal Range of Venezuela and is composed of metamorphic shales. In the central and southern parts of the island, two lower ridges of sublatitudinal strike, composed of sedimentary rocks, stand out. Alluvial plains are located between the ridges. Numerous streams and rivers flow down from the mountains. The coastal lowlands in the east are heavily swamped. A chain of mud volcanoes stretches along the southern coast. Main Ridge Tobago Island, stretching across the axial part of the island from southwest to northeast, is a continuation of the Northern Ridge, has a maximum height of approx. 600 m above sea level and cut through narrow valleys of mountain rivers.

The climate of the islands is subequatorial, hot and humid, trade wind, with mild seasonal differences. The average temperature in February is 24° C, in September (the hottest month) - 27° C. The islands are located in the area of trade wind circulation of air masses, where northeast winds predominate. The amount of precipitation depends largely on the nature of the terrain. More than 3,600 mm of precipitation falls annually on the windward eastern slopes of the Northern Range, up to 3,800 mm on the slopes of the Sierra Tobago, and less than 1,500 mm on the leeward western slopes. The relatively dry season is from January to May, and the relatively wet season is from June to December. Hurricanes sometimes hit the islands between June and December. Strong storm winds often blow, accompanied by tropical downpours of destructive force.

On the plains and lower parts of mountain slopes, red-yellow and red ferrallitic soils are common, characterized by high fertility. The flora of Trinidad and Tobago is characterized by great species diversity and includes both South American species and specific species of the Antilles. Most of Tobago Island and ca. 40% of the area of Trinidad is covered with forest. Wet rainforests preserved in the north of Trinidad, mainly on the slopes of the Northern Ridge. More than 50 species of valuable tree species grow there, incl. zestrela, swishing ( trademark both types - mahogany), high mora, balsa wood, etc. central regions Trinidad has drier evergreen forests that have undergone significant anthropogenic changes. Dry forests with sandalwood, fustic and cypress are found in the west of Trinidad. On the plains and foothills in the central and western regions of the island, cleared forests were replaced by savannas or plantations of export crops. Mangroves are common in many areas of the coast within the swampy lowlands at river mouths.

The fauna of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago is diverse and has similarities to the fauna of South America. There are capuchin and howler monkeys, badgers, peccaries, opossum (from the family of marsupials), agouti (from the family of rodents), ocelot (from predatory mammals), large anteater, the bats. The fauna of reptiles is rich (turtles, lizards, snakes, including spear-headed snake and boas, alligators). Birds are especially numerous, characterized, as a rule, by bright plumage. There are more than 40 species of hummingbirds on the island of Trinidad. Coastal waters abound with fish. The country pays great attention to the protection wildlife. 6 complex, 11 faunal reserves and more than 40 forest reserves with a total area of 153 thousand hectares have been created. There is a marine reserve at the southwestern tip of Tobago Island.

In the depths of Trinidad there are a number of minerals. In the south of the island and on the shelf there are reserves of heavy oil and associated gas, in the southwest, in the vicinity of La Brea, there is a unique deposit of natural high-quality asphalt Pitch Lake, in the Sangre Grande region there are deposits of brown coal and lignite. In the north of Trinidad there is a deposit of high-quality iron ore, and within the Northern Range there are deposits of gypsum and limestone. Deposits of sulfur and diorite have been explored in Trinidad.

Attractions

The main attractions of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are the incomparable beaches with gentle sun and soft sand. The most famous of them are Tairiko Bay and Maracas Bay, which occupy almost all north coast Trinidad.

For lovers of ecotourism, significant places are the Asa Wright Nature Center and National Park Caroni. These are nature reserves where numerous species of exotic birds, animals and reptiles are protected. It is here that one of the rarest birds on the planet lives - the scarlet ibis, which is the symbol of the country. Many experts call Trinidad the Island of Birds, since local reserves are home to more than 157 species of rare birds, as well as insects, snakes and fish. On swampy soil there is a large number of observation platforms, which provide a unique opportunity to observe the life of the most beautiful representatives of avifauna.

The islands of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are famous for the cascading waterfalls of Sombasson and La Laja, as well as breathtaking gorges. Guanapo is considered the most famous. A large number of tourists come to Trinidad and Tobago to see natural objects that captivate the human imagination.

The capital of the state, Port of Spain, is famous for its museums, which tell visitors the history of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, from Indian settlement to modern times. The art gallery contains a large number of works by famous artists. Near the city of Chaguanas is located famous temple Waterloo, which is considered one of the most visited Hindu temples in the Caribbean.

On the island of Tobago, the mighty Fort King George, which rises more than 45 meters above the city of Scarborough, the administrative center of the island, is of great interest to foreigners. The fort was built by the British in the late 18th century and its stone walls are still lined with old cannons facing the channel between the islands of Tobago and Trinidad.

The most visited tourist settlement in Tobago is the small fishing town of Charlotteville. Near this settlement are the most popular tourist resorts and beautiful sandy beaches.

Kitchen

In Trinidad and Tobago, you can find many different street restaurants and cafes offering delicious treats to visitors. Interestingly, each locality in this country specializes in a certain type of cuisine. The peculiarity of this unique catering arrangement is its simplicity, extraordinary taste, high quality cooking, and most importantly, the availability of products.

The national cuisine of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is based on Indian, Creole, European and Chinese traditions. Creole cuisine is represented by the famous:

“callaloo” - a soup made from taro, coconut and caviar;
"pigeon pi" - spicy soup,
“palkhun” - pancakes with crushed nuts.

A feature of Trinidadian cuisine is the abundance of seafood on the table. The main treat in any local restaurant is the famous baked shark with spicy curry sauce.

Cooks in Trinidad and Tobago, when preparing meat dishes, prefer recipes that are unusual for tourists, which use agouti, armadillo and possum meat. Rarely, rabbit and lizard are baked. Usually to anyone meat dish A delicious sauce with the addition of coconut milk is served.

The most popular non-alcoholic drink in Trinidad and Tobago is considered to be “kuentshare” - this is a fortified coconut or mineral water. Locals They prefer the rather unusual drink “Maubi”. This is the name of an infusion of anise, cloves and the bark of some trees. Hibiscus is also popular among the island's residents.

Tourists coming to Trinidad and Tobago do not miss the opportunity to try the famous Black Label rum, brewed according to a special recipe available only to residents of this country. The male half of the local population loves to spend evenings in the company of friends over a bottle of excellent, fresh Mackeson and Carib beer.

It is worth noting that food in Trinidad and Tobago is quite expensive. This is explained by the fact that almost all of them are imported into the country from abroad - mainly from Venezuela. Only a few types of fruits and vegetables grow on the island. So, lunch for two people in a middle-class restaurant will cost about $30. In street cafeterias you can eat much cheaper - for no more than $20.

Accommodation

Trinidad and Tobago has a large number of hotels and inns of various levels. Here you can easily find both expensive apartments and more budget options in small family boarding houses. Local hotels do not have a strict classification, but almost all of them meet international requirements. Most hotels offer tourists clean swimming pools, playgrounds with various attractions, and tennis courts. As a rule, large hotels have their own beaches (although umbrellas and sun loungers are provided to clients only for an additional fee).

In Trinidad and Tobago you can find small family hotels, which are analogues of European Bed & Breakfast hotels. Typically, such hotels are located quite far from the beaches, so the cost of living in them is much lower than in other hotels.

In the administrative centers of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago you can find hotels of such hotel brands as Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Hyatt and other global companies.

The average cost of living across the country ranges from $80 to $150 per night. The final price depends on the star rating of the hotel, the services it provides to visitors and the location of the island’s relatively large beaches.

Entertainment and relaxation

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are known primarily for their magnificent festive events. The main one is considered to be the most popular and noisiest Carnival in the Caribbean, which is held at the end of February. In honor of other religious holidays, local residents also organize numerous festive events.

The main holiday of Tobago is the Tobago Heritage Festival, which lasts for two whole weeks. During Easter week, the island hosts traditional boat races and fishing tournaments, which attract participants from all over the country.

Trinidad and Tobago offers most interesting excursions for natural attractions - national parks, which are famous for the numerous species of unique birds and animals that live there. And waterfalls and cascades enchant everyone who finds themselves in close proximity.

Many foreign tourists come to the islands of Trinidad and Tobago for new experiences extreme recreation. Here you can try almost all types of activities. water sports eg water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, paragliding. Magnificent underwater landscapes near the islands attract diving enthusiasts to this country. You won’t see such beauty of coral reefs even in the Red Sea. In addition, Trinidad has excellent golf courses, tennis courts, and stadiums, which allows absolutely all tourists who come to this country to find something to do.

The island of Tobago is famous for its goat racing. This completely unusual event is one of the main attractions during the Easter weekend. For an unprepared spectator, these races can cause a real shock: the owners of the goats run ahead of their animals, urging them on with special cries. Such amazing competitions will not leave anyone indifferent.

But, of course, most tourists come to this exotic country to pamper yourself sandy beaches under the gentle tropical sun. The magnificent beaches of Trinidad are considered the best in the entire Caribbean. The most famous of them are Maracas Bay, Las Cuelvas and Tairico Bay.

Shopping

Trinidad and Tobago is called the most inexpensive place in the Caribbean. This is facilitated by huge foreign exchange earnings from oil refining.

You can buy various souvenirs for your family and friends in special stores and shops that can be found at almost every turn in major cities of the country.

Various products made from tortoise shell are very popular among foreigners. Local residents usually make beads, bracelets, combs, rosaries and brooches from this unusual material. At the Indian Museum you can purchase amazing ceramic products with images of a scarlet ibis and beautiful waterfall in the country - Sombasson.

Stores in Trinidad and Tobago are open from 8:00 to 16:00. On weekends - from 8:00 to 13:00. In large cities you can find supermarkets open every day from 8:00 to 18:00. In local shops it is customary to pay in Trinidad and Tobago dollars, but American currency is also freely accepted as a means of payment. In particularly large establishments in the country, you can pay for purchases or services by bank transfer.

Transport

Despite the small size of Trinidad and Tobago, the transport infrastructure is well developed. Length highways The islands are just over 8,300 kilometers long. Exactly half of them have an asphalt surface. The country's urban transport is represented by buses and minibuses. To travel around the city you must purchase a special ticket, which can be found at any stopping point. Bus drivers, unfortunately, do not have the right to accept payment for travel, as is done in many countries around the world. The price of a bus ticket is approximately $0.5 per trip. Route taxis, called here “maxis”, like buses, run along a specific route.

It is worth noting that all buses of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago have a rather attractive appearance, and the service will pleasantly surprise you: the transport has air conditioning and even TVs.

For an individual trip around the cities, you can use the services of a private taxi. The trip is paid strictly according to the meter. The cost of one kilometer of travel will cost you approximately $0.6.

The road situation in the country is relatively calm. Local residents are considered careful drivers. The quality of roads throughout much of Trinidad and Tobago is excellent. However, in some mountainous areas you can also find ordinary dirt roads.

There is a small system in the republic railways near San Fernando. Its main purpose is transportation in agriculture. The rest of the country's rail services were discontinued in 1968.

Trinidad and Tobago has excellent shipping.

The main seaport of the country is the capital of the state - Port of Spain. There is an excellent ferry service between the islands. There are two types of ferries - high-speed and regular. The first ferry will cost a little more than usual, about $16 each way. To travel on a regular ferry you only need to pay $12. Tickets for this type of transport can be purchased directly at the ferry terminal, travel agency or any post office.

Not far from the capital of the state is located international Airport Piarco, adapted to serve intercontinental airliners. Trinidad and Tobago is connected by air to the neighboring West Indies island states. There are only six airports throughout the country. Air travel across the state will cost a tourist about $100.

Connection

Communications in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are provided by a telecommunications corporation that provides the population with a wide range of services. In almost all populated areas There are numerous payphones on the streets of the country, with the help of which you can make calls abroad. Such public machines operate on a 25-cent coin for long-distance calls, and to make a call to another country you need to purchase a separate card, sold at corporate post offices, large supermarkets, gas stations, and street kiosks. On the island of Tobago, the easiest way to make an international call is from the TSTT corporation office itself.

The small country of Trinidad and Tobago has several mobile operators that successfully support roaming services for numerous global mobile phone companies. In this state, cellular communications cover almost the entire territory of the islands, with the exception of some mountainous areas. Interestingly, the phones of most European mobile operators may not work in Trinidad and Tobago without first registering the numbers with the official office of the TSTT Corporation. Easiest way to talk cellular communication rent a mobile phone from a local operator. Renting such a device for a week will cost about $30. Additionally, you need to pay for the connection time.

Network technologies in Trinidad and Tobago are developing quite rapidly. Almost all cities and towns have small Internet cafes, most of them have their own websites. Many hotels also provide their clients with Internet access. They often use a wireless connection, which is characterized by high speed and excellent data transfer quality. For one hour of Internet use you will have to pay about $3.

Safety

Trinidad and Tobago has a good reputation for the safety of foreign tourists. However, when moving around the country, do not forget about basic precautions. Although serious crimes are extremely rare on the country's islands, the number of cases of fraud and petty theft is steadily increasing every year. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful when you are in crowded places.

The sanitary situation in the country is relatively good. On the streets major cities You can try all the food products sold there without fear. However, it is worth remembering that when purchasing vegetables or fruits at local markets, you must rinse them thoroughly with running water and only then eat them. Tap water in Trinidad can be drunk without additional treatment, but to be sure, it is still better to boil it.

Business

The main sector of the economy of Trinidad and Tobago is the extraction and processing of petroleum products and natural gas. Many foreign investors invest their money in this business, which is the most profitable in the country. State authorities are taking various additional measures to attract investment into their economy. Such measures include: simplification of taxation of foreign enterprises, amendments to legislation controlling this area of the economy and other methods.

Thanks to its unique natural beauty, Trinidad and Tobago is becoming increasingly popular among tourists, especially among environmentalists. Some businessmen prefer to invest large sums of money in travel business, which in this country has one peculiarity - such investments pay off quite quickly. To attract foreign tourists, the state authorities have significantly simplified the visa regime, which allows more people to visit this stunning exotic country.

Real estate

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are the southernmost in the entire Caribbean. Proximity to the continent (only 10 kilometers from the coast of Venezuela), mild climate, picturesque landscapes make buying real estate in this country very, very attractive. In addition, the recently implemented tax reform has had a positive effect on the dynamics of demand for real estate from foreign investment companies.

The cost of apartments and houses in this small state is quite high. So, for an apartment of 100 square meters you need to pay a little more than $130,000. And this apartment will be located in a small settlement. For housing in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago you will have to pay a larger sum. Before purchasing a private cottage in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, it is necessary, first of all, to familiarize yourself with the rules for the formation of taxes, which depend not only on the type of housing purchased, but also on its location.

If it is impossible to buy a home in this country, you can rent an apartment. For a month's stay, the owners will ask about $1,100.

Exchange currency only in government exchange offices and avoid all kinds of transactions with strangers on the streets. When buying jewelry, carefully consider their choice so as not to give huge sums of money for a worthless fake.

Visa information

If you decide to go to unforgettable journey If you are visiting the beautiful country of Trinidad and Tobago, then you should take care in advance of purchasing a special visa, which is issued at the British Embassy, which represents the interests of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. In this case, it is worth preparing the necessary documents: a foreign passport, which is valid for more than six months from the end of the trip; old passports (if available); copies of passport pages with the applicant’s personal data; one color photograph. You must also provide a certificate from work with the indicated income, a copy of the marriage certificate and birth certificates of children, completed in English language visa application form.

All of the above documents are submitted to the consular section of the British Embassy in Moscow, which is located at: 121099, Moscow, st. Smolenskaya embankment, 10.

Story

The island of Trinidad was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1498. Since then, it has remained a possession of Spain for three centuries. In the 16th century French corsairs, English privateers and other adventurers landed on the island to replenish supplies of food, water and fuel. At the end of the 16th century. English navigator Walter Raleigh used Trinidad as a base from which his troops set off to explore the Guiana coast of South America. In the 17th century Spanish governors tried to establish settlements on the island, but ships from the metropolis visited Trinidad about once every 20 years, and the population of the island was decimated by epidemics of smallpox, malaria and yellow fever. At the end of the 17th century. There were only 15 small Indian settlements in Trinidad; the Spanish population remained small.

In the 18th century On the islands of the British West Indies, sugar cane began to be cultivated, bringing great profits. The energetic governor of Trinidad, Jose Maria Chacon, decided to follow this example. Foreign planters, mainly French, were invited to the island. In 1797, Trinidad was occupied by the British under the pretext that the island allegedly served as a refuge for human traders who raided neighboring British colonies in order to capture slaves. English control over the island was secured by the Treaty of Amiens in 1802.

Having received Trinidad, Britain gained a colony with rich deposits of natural asphalt, which was used to impregnate the hulls of wooden ships. In addition, Port of Spain had a magnificent harbor, and the island had fertile soils that had not been depleted by centuries of agriculture. However, the development of new agricultural areas was hampered by a lack of labor. Some British governors (such as Ralph Woodford, 1813–1829) encouraged trade, the construction of roads, the creation of new estates, and the founding of new settlements. However, attempts to attract soldiers demobilized after the Napoleonic wars to the island were unsuccessful. After the abolition of slavery in the 1830s, the labor situation in Trinidad became critical as slaves left the plantations, occupied free land, or moved to the cities. Beginning in 1845, sugar cane and coffee planters began importing hired workers from India. A terrible famine that broke out in Madeira in 1846 forced many Portuguese peasants to go to America in search of fortune, and many of them settled in Trinidad. However, the Portuguese settlers, at the first opportunity, sought to change their occupation from agriculture to work as servants on rich estates. In the 1850s, Chinese immigrants began arriving on the island.

The island of Tobago was discovered by Columbus at the same time as Trinidad, but was not part of the Spanish colonies. In 1608, the English King James I claimed rights to the island, but in 1632 the Dutch settled on the island. For a long time, Tobago remained a bone of contention between England, the Netherlands and France, until in 1814 it became an English colony. In 1889, the colonies of Trinidad and Tobago were united.

During the global economic crisis of the 1930s, unrest began in the West Indies. A British Royal Commission was created to study the situation, the report of which contained recommendations on the need for financial and constitutional reforms. The Second World War and the oil development that began in Trinidad led to noticeable changes in the life of the colony. In 1941 large land plot in the Chaguaramas area (in the north-west of Trinidad) was leased to the United States for a period of 99 years for the construction of a naval base, which largely resolved the problem of employment.

After World War II, even more significant political changes occurred. In 1946, universal suffrage was introduced in Trinidad and Tobago, and in 1956 the colony received limited internal self-government. From 1958–1962 it was part of the West Indies Federation. In 1960, a bilateral agreement was concluded, according to which the United States committed to abandon the leased area by 1977 and withdraw the naval base from there. After Jamaica's decision to secede from the West Indies Federation (1961), Trinidad and Tobago also decided to take an independent path of development. In 1961, they were granted full self-government, and on August 31, 1962, the independent state of Trinidad and Tobago was proclaimed as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain.

Economy

In the 18th–19th centuries. Trinidad's economy was entirely dependent on the export of sugar and other tropical food crops, but by the mid-20th century. Oil production and refining have come to the fore, although this industry employs relatively few workers. On the island of Tobago, agriculture remains the main industry. Tourism is also developing.

The government program to promote industrial development included the creation of the Industrial Development Corporation in 1959, as well as the allocation of sites for the construction of industrial enterprises in the immediate vicinity of the cities of Port of Spain, San Fernando and Arima. These plots were offered to producers on favorable terms along with financial incentives such as tax exemption for several years. To coordinate the development of the country's economy, several five-year plans were adopted, the implementation of the first of which began in 1964.

Currently, Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most developed countries in the Caribbean region. Thanks to successful economic reforms carried out in 1995, the state has become an attractive region for foreign investment. There was a revival of foreign trade. Investment in industry and expansion of construction contributed to significant economic growth.

In 2000, GDP was estimated at $11.2 billion, and its real growth was 5%. As of 1998, the structure of GDP was as follows: the share of agriculture - 2%, industry - 44%, service sector - 54%. Labor resources are estimated at approximately 558.7 thousand people, of which approx. 13% do not have a permanent job. To solve the problem of unemployment, the government stimulated the creation of new industrial enterprises.

The main industry of the economy of Trinidad and Tobago is oil production and refining. Although Trinidad and Tobago is not a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the country benefited significantly from the rise in oil prices in 1973–1974.

Oil production is carried out in the south and east of Trinidad Island and on the shelf. Oil reserves are estimated at 200 million tons. In 1980, oil production amounted to 11 million tons; at the end of the 1990s, approx. 8 million tons. Crude oil, including imported oil, is processed at Trinidad's enterprises, in particular at one of the world's largest oil refineries in Pointe-a-Pierre, as well as in Point Fortin and Brighton. The oil industry is the source of a significant part of state revenues, coming in the form of taxes, rent for the right to develop subsoil and customs duties.

Natural gas is produced offshore west and east of southern Trinidad. Its reserves are estimated at 300 billion cubic meters. m. This important energy carrier is used to produce electricity at thermal power plants and as fuel at oil refineries. It also serves as a raw material for the chemical industry.

Not far from La Brea, in the southwest of Trinidad, a large deposit of natural asphalt is being developed (reserves of 9 million tons), but recently difficulties have arisen with its marketing due to increased competition from manufacturers of artificial asphalt.

The industrial development of the country can be judged by the growth in electricity production: in 1959 less than 430 million kWh were generated, in 1987 - approx. 3.3 billion kW/h, in 1999 – 4.9 billion kW/h.

The country has a developed chemical industry, in particular petrochemicals, production of nitrogen fertilizers (for export), and rubber (production of tires for the domestic market). The metallurgical, metalworking, woodworking, printing, electrical (assembly of household appliances), cement, textile, clothing, footwear, tobacco, food industries, production of construction materials and alcoholic beverages are also developing.

Cultivated lands occupy approximately a quarter of the country's area. The main crop, sugar cane, is grown mainly in the western regions of Tobago. IN last years its collections dropped significantly and in the late 1990s amounted to approx. 100 thousand tons (in 1970 – 216 thousand tons). Most of the raw sugar is produced on large plantations, the rest - on small peasant farms. Labor on plantations is mechanized. The next most important export crop, cocoa, is cultivated in the central and northern regions of Tobago. In addition, export crops such as coffee, citrus fruits (mainly grapefruits and oranges), and coconut palm (on the east, northeast and southwest coasts of Tobago) occupy a significant place in agricultural production. Bananas, rice (in the south of Trinidad), vegetables and other food crops are grown for the domestic market.

Livestock farming is poorly developed. They raise cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry. Fishing products, which are of secondary importance in the country's economy, are sent exclusively to the domestic market. Agriculture is not able to fully provide food for the country's population.

For a long time, the country had a trade deficit, until in 1974, thanks to rising world oil prices, the value of exports exceeded the value of imports. In 1981, these figures were respectively 3.7 and 3.1 billion US dollars, in 1997 – 2.9 billion and 2 billion US dollars, in 1999 – 3.2 and 3 billion US dollars. Main income from exports accounted for by oil and petrochemical products.

Trinidad exports gas, rolled metal, natural bitumen, raw sugar, cocoa beans, coffee and other agricultural products. The main import items are oil (for the oil refining industry), food, consumer goods, machinery and equipment. The main trading partners are the USA, Venezuela, the countries of the Caribbean Community, Mexico, the UK and other countries of the European Community.

An important source of foreign exchange earnings is foreign tourism.

The currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar. The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, founded in 1964, issues money.

Policy

According to the constitution adopted on August 1, 1976, the state of Trinidad and Tobago is a republic within the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. The head of state is the president, who is elected by an electoral college from among members of parliament for a term of 5 years. Legislative power belongs to a bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The composition of the Senate (31 members) is approved by the president (16 members - on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, 6 - on the recommendation of the leader of the opposition and 9 - at the discretion of the president, taking into account the need for representation of prominent government, public and religious figures in parliament. The House of Representatives consists of 36 deputies elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term (at least 2 deputies represent Tobago) All citizens over 18 years of age have the right to vote.

Executive power is exercised by the government, headed by the prime minister - usually the leader of the party that constitutes the majority in parliament. The Cabinet of Ministers is appointed from among the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The government is responsible to parliament. Administratively, the country is divided into 9 counties and 4 self-governing cities. The island of Tobago has a special status, having its own House of Assembly consisting of 18 members (15 of them are elected by universal suffrage, 3 are appointed on the proposal of the majority party) with a 4-year term of office.

Legal and judicial system Trinidad and Tobago are based on the principles of English law. The highest body of the judiciary is Supreme Court. Its chairman is appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, and the remaining judges are appointed on the recommendation of the judicial and legal committee. Subordinate authorities are the High Court, Court of Appeal and Magistrates.

The leading political party in Trinidad and Tobago since 1956 has been the People's National Movement (PNM), which relies mainly on the support of people of African descent. Eric Williams, who had been the party's leader since the founding of the party, became the country's first prime minister. After the 1966 elections, the PNM retained a majority in the House of Representatives. The 1971 elections were boycotted by opposition parties in protest against the Williams government's suppression of civil unrest in 1970. As a result, the NRM won all 36 seats in the House of Representatives. As a result of the 1976 and 1981 elections, the PNM continued to maintain an overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives. Since 1989, the leading opposition party has been the United Labor Front (RUF, founded in 1975), which adheres to the left. Since 1995, a coalition of the United National Congress and the National Union for Reconstruction has been in power. The main opposition party is the NND.

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are located on the continental shelf of South America. The island of Trinidad is separated from the mainland by the Gulf of Paria and two narrow straits. The low, strongly dissected Northern Range of this island, with the highest point of the country, Mount Aripo (940 m), is a continuation of the Coastal Range of Venezuela and is composed of metamorphic shales. In the central and southern parts of the island, two lower ridges of sublatitudinal strike, composed of sedimentary rocks, stand out. Alluvial plains are located between the ridges. Numerous streams and rivers flow down from the mountains. The coastal lowlands in the east are heavily swamped. A chain of mud volcanoes stretches along the southern coast. The main ridge of Tobago Island, stretching across the axial part of the island from southwest to northeast, is a continuation of the Northern Ridge, and has a maximum height of approx. 600 m above sea level and cut through narrow valleys of mountain rivers.

On the plains and lower parts of mountain slopes, red-yellow and red ferrallitic soils are common, characterized by high fertility. The flora of Trinidad and Tobago is characterized by great species diversity and includes both South American species and specific species of the Antilles. Most of Tobago Island and ca. 40% of the area of Trinidad is covered with forest. Tropical rainforests remain in northern Trinidad, mainly on the slopes of the Northern Range. More than 50 species of valuable tree species grow there, incl. tsedrela, swietenia (trademark of both species is mahogany), high mora, balsa tree, etc. In the central regions of Trinidad, drier evergreen forests are common, which have undergone significant anthropogenic changes. Dry forests with sandalwood, fustic and cypress are found in the west of Trinidad. On the plains and foothills in the central and western regions of the island, cleared forests were replaced by savannas or plantations of export crops. Mangroves are common in many areas of the coast within the swampy lowlands at river mouths.

The fauna of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago is diverse and has similarities to the fauna of South America. There are capuchin and howler monkeys, badgers, peccaries, possums (from the marsupial family), agouti (from the rodent family), ocelot (from predatory mammals), large anteater, and bats. The fauna of reptiles is rich (turtles, lizards, snakes, including spear-headed snake and boas, alligators). Birds are especially numerous, characterized, as a rule, by bright plumage. There are more than 40 species of hummingbirds on the island of Trinidad. Coastal waters abound with fish. The country pays great attention to wildlife conservation. 6 complex, 11 faunal reserves and more than 40 forest reserves with a total area of 153 thousand hectares have been created. There is a marine reserve at the southwestern tip of Tobago Island.

Population.

In 2004, the country's population was estimated at 1,096 thousand people, with 96% of them concentrated on the island of Trinidad. Age structure population: group under 15 years old – 24%, from 15 to 65 years old – 69%, over 65 years old – 7%. The birth rate was estimated at 13.84 per 1000 people, mortality - 8.84 per 1000, emigration - 9.92 per 1000. Population decline in 2000 was 0.49% (in 1999 - 1.35%), infant mortality - 25, 76 per 1000 births.

The country is heterogeneous ethnic composition. The share of African Americans in the population is approx. 39%, mulattoes - 18%, Indians (mainly descendants of people from Northern India) - 40%, among the national minorities are the British, French, Venezuelans, Portuguese, Syrians, and Chinese. The Carib Indians who originally inhabited the islands were expelled or assimilated by Europeans during the colonial period. Although Trinidad belonged to Spain from 1498 to 1797, few Spaniards settled there. In 1783, the population of the colony did not exceed 2.8 thousand people (only 126 Europeans). From 1783 to 1797, Spain pursued a liberal immigration policy and allowed Catholics, regardless of their nationality, to acquire land on preferential terms. During this period, many French planters moved to Trinidad from the French colonies of the West Indies, along with thousands of slaves. When the island came under British rule in 1797, almost 20 thousand people already lived on it, including approx. 2 thousand Europeans. In the 1830s, after the abolition of slavery, there was a shortage of workers on the plantations of all the British colonies. For this purpose, thousands of indentured laborers had to be imported from British India. In addition, many Syrians and Chinese from British colonies in Asia, Portuguese peasants from Madeira Island and Jewish refugees from Europe moved to Trinidad.

The official language is English. In some rural areas of Trinidad, Spanish, Hindi, Patois and Chinese are spoken.

The religious composition of the country's population is very heterogeneous. Catholics (mostly French and Spaniards), Anglicans and Presbyterians live peacefully here ( for the most part descendants of English planters), Hindus and Muslims (immigrants from India) and evangelicals (who belong mainly to African Americans).

The population distribution in Trinidad is very uneven. The western half of the island is the most densely populated, especially the coastal strip between the cities of Port of Spain (with a population of about 50 thousand people) and San Fernando. Due to industrialization, the population of these cities, as well as the city of Arima in the north in the central part of the island, grew greatly. People of African and mixed descent tend to live in larger cities than Indians, who are concentrated in the agricultural areas of western Trinidad. On the island of Tobago, where industry is almost undeveloped, most of the population is concentrated in the administrative center of Scarborough.

State structure.

The legal and judicial systems of Trinidad and Tobago are based on the principles of English law. The highest body of judicial power is the Supreme Court. Its chairman is appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, and the remaining judges are appointed on the recommendation of the judicial and legal committee. Subordinate authorities are the High Court, Court of Appeal and Magistrates.

Economy.

Industry.

Oil production is carried out in the south and east of Trinidad Island and on the shelf. Oil reserves are estimated at 200 million tons. In 1980, oil production amounted to 11 million tons; at the end of the 1990s, approx. 8 million tons. Crude oil, including imported oil, is processed at Trinidad's enterprises, in particular at one of the world's largest oil refineries in Pointe-a-Pierre, as well as in Point Fortin and Brighton. The oil industry is the source of a significant part of the state's income, coming in the form of taxes, rent for the right to develop subsoil and customs duties.

The industrial development of the country can be judged by the growth in electricity production: in 1959 less than 430 million kWh were generated, in 1987 - approx. 3.3 billion kWh, in 1999 – 4.9 billion kWh.

Agriculture.

Cultivated lands occupy approximately a quarter of the country's area. The main crop, sugar cane, is grown mainly in the western regions of Tobago. In recent years, its collections have decreased significantly and in the late 1990s amounted to approx. 100 thousand tons (in 1970 – 216 thousand tons). Most of the raw sugar is produced on large plantations, the rest - in small peasant farms. Labor on plantations is mechanized. The next most important export crop, cocoa, is cultivated in the central and northern regions of Tobago. In addition, export crops such as coffee, citrus fruits (mainly grapefruits and oranges), and coconut palm (on the east, northeast and southwest coasts of Tobago) occupy a significant place in agricultural production. Bananas, rice (in the south of Trinidad), vegetables and other food crops are grown for the domestic market.

International trade.

An important source of foreign exchange earnings is foreign tourism.

Transport.

The length of highways is 8,320 km, of which approximately half is paved. Coastal shipping is developed. Main sea port– Port of Spain, minor – Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Chaguaramas, Tembladora in Trinidad and Scarborough in Tobago. Located near Port of Spain, Piarco Airport is equipped to accommodate intercontinental jet airliners and serves international traffic to neighboring countries. island states West Indies. There are 6 airports in total in the country. Oil field areas are connected by an oil pipeline (1030 km long) with oil refining centers and seaports. A gas pipeline (900 km) stretches through the southern regions of Trinidad, through which gas is supplied to thermal power plants, to the capital and to other industrial centers.

Currency unit – Trinidad and Tobago dollar. The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, founded in 1964, issues money.

Society and culture.

In Trinidad and Tobago there is no racial discrimination and cultures of different nations coexist peacefully. Thus, in Port of Spain there are Christian churches, Hindu temples and Muslim mosques, oriental music is played and characteristic West Indian noise orchestras (steelband groups) perform on metal cans and fuel barrels. A new type of folk music, calypso, emerged in Trinidad and Tabago. These are short, witty songs on the topic of the day, performed in African rhythms and rich in dialect vocabulary. Trinidad hosts Muslim and Hindu festivals, and before Lent there are world-famous carnivals, not inferior in scale and beauty to the famous carnivals in Rio de Janeiro.

A person’s belonging to a certain social group is determined by his material wealth. The main social problem is poverty, which is widespread in the country despite the fact that the national annual per capita income in 2000 was $9,500 (one of the highest in the Caribbean). In the early 1970s, the country's government began introducing a public insurance system that provided old-age, disability, and survivors' pensions, as well as sickness, maternity, and newborn benefits. Medical care in state medical institutions is free.

Primary and secondary education is also free, and primary six-year schooling is compulsory. In school curricula, a large place is devoted to the study of culture, history, geography and social life of the countries of the Caribbean Community and vocational and technical training for secondary school students. Many public primary and secondary schools are run by religious communities but funded by the government. There are a large number of private secondary schools in the country. In Port of Spain there are the agricultural and technical faculties and the College of Sciences and Arts of the Trinidad branch of the University of the West Indies, in San Fernando - the Technical Institute and the Polytechnic Institute.

Story.

Period of British rule.

During the global economic crisis of the 1930s, unrest began in the West Indies. A British Royal Commission was created to study the situation, the report of which contained recommendations on the need for financial and constitutional reforms. The Second World War and the oil development that began in Trinidad led to noticeable changes in the life of the colony. In 1941, a large plot of land in the Chaguaramas area (in the northwest of Trinidad) was leased to the United States for a period of 99 years for the construction of a naval base, which largely resolved the employment problem.

Period of independence.

The government, led by Prime Minister Eric Williams, sought to develop the country's economy and strengthen economic ties with neighboring states. In 1968, the country became a member of the Caribbean Free Trade Area, and in 1973 - a member of the Caribbean Community that replaced it. However, the government was unable to solve the problem of unemployment, and unrest began in the country. In 1970, there were anti-government protests by the military, to which Williams responded by declaring a state of emergency. In 1971, regular parliamentary elections were held. However, in protest against the emergency measures taken by the Williams government, opposition parties called for a boycott of the election campaign, and only 32% of voters took part in it. As a result, the ruling People's National Movement (PNM) party won all 36 seats in the House of Representatives.

The unstable political environment in the early 1970s was accompanied by a sharp economic downturn. However, in 1973–1974, the economic situation in Trinidad and Tobago improved markedly due to a fourfold increase in world oil prices. Soaring revenues from oil exports allowed the government to cut taxes and increase social benefits, subsidize the prices of consumer goods and increase investment in industry.

The state of Trinidad and Tobago acquired the status of a republic on August 1, 1976. As a result of the parliamentary elections held the following month, the PNM party received two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives, the majority of the remaining seats were taken by deputies from the United Labor Front (RUF), created on the basis of an alliance of a number of left-wing trade unions . In 1980, Tabago received internal self-government.

Trinidad and Tobago at the end of the 20th - early 21st centuries

In 1995, a coalition of the United National Congress and the National Union for Reconstruction came to power. The first of these parties focuses on the Indo-Trinidadian electorate (40% of the country's population), the second on the Afro-Trinidadian electorate (40% of the population). The leader of the PMC, B. Pandey, became the prime minister, and A. N. R. Robinson became the president from 1997. The same alignment of political forces in parliament and government remained after the parliamentary elections in December 2000. The president of the republic and the prime minister remained in their places.

In Trinidad and Tobago, daily newspapers (Trinidad and Tobago Express - 55 thousand copies, Trinidad Guardian - 52.6 thousand copies, Newsday) and weekly publications (Sunday Express - 60 thousand) are published in large quantities. thousand copies, Sunday Guardian - 43.5 thousand copies). There are also less popular publications: the government weekly Trinidad and Tobago Gazette (3.3 thousand copies), the Catholic weekly Catholic News (15.6 thousand copies), etc.

The country has a government radio broadcasting service and a commercial television service.

- a state in the Caribbean Sea, located on the islands of Trinidad, Tobago and several adjacent small islands.

The name comes from the Spanish "Trinidad", which means "Trinity", since Christopher Columbus discovered the island on the feast of Whitsun, and the local word "Tobago", which later entered the languages as "tobacco".

Official name: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Capital: Port of Spain

The area of the land: 5.128 thousand sq. km

Total Population: 1.2 million people

Administrative division: The state is divided into 9 counties.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: The president.

Population composition: 69% are Africans, mulattoes and moles, 30% are Indo-Pakistanis, 1% are Chinese.

Official language: English, but the Indo-Aryan language Bhojpuri is quite widely spoken, and Spanish is also used.

Religion: 32% are Catholics, 28% are Protestants (mostly Anglicans), 24% are Hindus, 6% are Muslims.

Internet domain: .tt

Mains voltage: ~115 V, 60 Hz

Country dialing code: +1-868

Climate

The amount of precipitation depends largely on the nature of the terrain. More than 3,600 mm of precipitation falls annually on the windward eastern slopes of the Northern Range, up to 3,800 mm on the slopes of the Sierra Tobago, and less than 1,500 mm on the leeward western slopes. The relatively dry season is from January to May, and the relatively wet season is from June to December.

Hurricanes sometimes hit the islands between June and December. Strong storm winds often blow, accompanied by tropical downpours of destructive force.

Geography

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is located on the islands of the same name in the southern part Caribbean Sea, near the northeastern coast of Venezuela, opposite the Orinoco Delta (the most South part group of the Lesser Antilles). The southern coast of Trinidad lies just 10 km from the coast of Venezuela, and the island of Tobago is located 20 km northeast of Trinidad. total area islands 5.128 thousand sq. km (Trinidad - 4,828 sq. km, Tobago - 300 sq. km).

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

The vegetation of Trinidad and Tobago is very diverse compared to neighboring islands, which is explained by its continental origin. Evergreen forests predominate; in the center of the island of Trinidad and on the leeward northwestern slopes there is secondary savanna and woodlands. Plants are represented by both South American species and those specific to the Antilles.

The forests contain more than 50 species of valuable tree species, including zedrela, balsa (harewood), sandalwood, cypress, and vanilla pompona (V. pompona Schiede). Large areas are occupied by plantations of cocoa and other cultivated plants. Tobago is included in the habitat of Melocactus broadwayi, and other species of Melocactus are also common on the islands. Trinidad is also home to the rare butterfly orchid (Oncidium papilio Ldl.), which is declining due to commercial collection.

Animal world

The animals are similar to the fauna of South America. In Trinidad and Tobago you can find the red ibis (Eudocimus ruber), which is the national bird of the republic; caimans, ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), agoutis, iguanas, opossums, capuchins, as well as more than 40 species of hummingbirds (hummingbirds are also depicted on the coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago).

Many bird species nest in Tobago, such as the Caribbean swallow and the white-tailed nightjar. There is a wide variety of bats, including representatives of the families Furipteridae (smoky bats), Natalidae (Funnel-eared bats), Phyllostomidae (leaf-nosed bats), Mormoopidae (chin-leaved bats).

Endemic to Trinidad is the lizard Proctoporus shrevei, the only reptile with the property of bioluminescence. Northern mountain range The islands of Trinidad are the only place in the world where this species is found.

Banks and currency

Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD or TT$), equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 100, 20, 10, 5 and 1 dollars, as well as coins in denominations of 1 dollar, 50, 25, 10, 5 cents.

US dollars also have free circulation.

From Monday to Thursday, banks are usually open from 08.00-9.30 to 14.00-17.00, on Fridays - from 09.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00. Some large banks are open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Most large bank offices on the main streets of the capital of Trinidad open and close slightly later than others (usually from 9.00 to 19.00) and work without interruption.

Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks and some hotels, as well as in cambios or bureaus de change currency exchange offices (open daily from 9.00 to 18.00, except Sundays), on weekends, currency can be exchanged at the airport (exchange office open from 6.00 to 22.00) and in some establishments in tourist areas (hotels, shops, restaurants, etc.). The exchange rate at exchange offices is usually slightly worse than at banks in Port of Spain, but conditions vary from place to place. Changing currency on the street is not recommended.

Credit cards of major payment systems (Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard, American Express, etc.) are accepted for payment in almost all hotels, large restaurants and most shops. Many retail outlets charge an additional 5% of the amount when servicing credit cards. ATM machines (usually marked with the TIDCO banner) that accept debit and credit cards can be found everywhere (in Tobago, only in Scarborough).

Travel checks can be cashed almost everywhere - in bank offices, in hotels and large stores (many banks charge a certain percentage for servicing checks, which varies for each institution). To avoid additional conversion costs, it is recommended to use traveler's checks in US dollars or pounds sterling.

Useful information for tourists

Active tourism is quite well developed on the islands - windsurfing, horse riding are offered on any of the magnificent beaches of the coast. water skiing and sailing boats, paragliding, snorkeling and “serious” diving, golf and tennis on numerous grounds of hotels and small private guesthouses.

It is prohibited to export items of historical value, rare animals and tropical birds from the islands.

There are many beautiful things on our Earth, amazing places. And today we will discuss one of them - a piece of paradise called the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The island of Trinidad is named after the Holy Trinity. Once upon a time, both islands were inhabited by fairly peaceful, poor tribes of Indians who were enslaved by Europeans. Today the country is independent and part of the Commonwealth of Nations. And we will tell you about it in more detail.

Where is the island of Trinidad?

Geographically, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is located in the Caribbean Sea, near South America. The archipelago includes 23 islands. All of them, except the two largest, are uninhabited. The population is concentrated in Trinadad and Tobago. In total, 1.365 million people live here. (as of 2016). Density 254 people. per square kilometer.

History of the Republic

When Trinidad and then Tobago were discovered by Columbus in 1498, the indigenous Arawak Indian population was taken to the South American colonies. However, the island’s lands turned out to be infertile, and mineral resources were completely absent (but the island is rich in oil, as it turned out later). For the first two centuries, colonialists tried to settle on the islands. They planted tobacco and cocoa, but they did not grow on the island soil. Therefore, the Spaniards soon abandoned the island to its fate.

The French, Dutch, and British tried to get it. But their attempts came to nothing. Later it was chosen by pirates who set up camps here. It was not until 1763 that Tobago was annexed by Britain. Soon Trinidad came under her rule. African slaves were brought to the islands to work on the plantations. Also, after the abolition of slavery, hired workers from India, China and other countries arrived here. At the end of the 20th century, the archipelago gained independence and became known as the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Why Trinidad and Tobago?

The island of Trinidad is named after the Trinity. The fact is that Columbus arrived on the island on July 31, the day of the Holy Trinity (Pentecost). After all, trinidat means Trinity in Spanish.

This was facilitated by another fact: the first thing that caught the eye of the sailors who were approaching the island were 3 distinct mountain peaks in the northern part of Trinidad. Therefore, the island of Trinidad is named after the Holy Trinity.

Tobago gets its name from the Spanish word tabacco, which means tobacco. After all, the indigenous population at that time grew and smoked tobacco.

Population of Trinidad and Tobago

The population of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago today is mixed. Descendants of African slaves, Chinese, Indians, and British have lived on the island for decades. There are Trinidadians of Portuguese, French, German, and Spanish origin. They are called Creoles. The number of Creoles on the island is about 60%. Therefore, despite the fact that official language The Republic is English, Trinidadians often speak Creole, which mixes many words of the Romano-Germanic group.

Geography, flora and fauna

The islands of Trinidad (Trinity) and Tobago are of mainland origin. Their total area is 5128 square kilometers. However, the area of Tobago occupies only 300 km² of them. The capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is Port of Spain.

About 17 million years ago, both islands separated from the continent. The other islands that make up the archipelago are of volcanic origin. They are quite young compared to Trinidad and Tobago - they are only 5-6 million years old.

Trinidad's shape resembles a rectangle with a sharply defined lower right corner. Its dimensions are 80 by 59 km. The island is separated from South America by the Bocas del Dragon Strait and the Gulf of Paria, and from the Venezuelan coast by Boca de la Sierpe. Trinidad's neighbor, the island of Tobago, is separated from it by a wide strait of the same name.

Basically, the island has a slightly indented flat surface, which only in its southern part turns into several mountain ranges about 300 m above sea level. But in the north of Trinidad stretches a mountain range that is a continuation of the Venezuelan Coastal Cordillera. Its highest point (both on the island and on the entire archipelago) is Mount Aripo, reaching 940 m above sea level.

The line of the island is quite winding, forming many bays and bays. The largest of them are Coconut, Mayaro, Matura. The south of the island is decorated with mangroves, and the north is framed by coral reefs.

Fresh water is presented in Trinidad in the form of small rivers, among which three stand out: Guatuaro, Ortoire, and Coroni. The first two flow into the Atlantic Ocean, and the third into the Gulf of Paria, which is connected through straits to the Caribbean Sea. There are no large rivers on the island.

The flora and fauna of both islands are very rich, which is explained by the proximity of the continent. Trinidad is characterized by open forests and tropical savanna, while Tobago is rich in tropical evergreen forests. There are 50 species of woody plants here. The islands are also home to about 400 species of birds, 600 species of butterflies, 100 species of mammals and 50 species of reptiles.

Tobago Island

The island of Tobago is significantly smaller than its neighbor. In 2004, it received the title of “Best Caribbean Island of the Year”. The capital is Scarborough. Tobago is divided into 2 regions and 7 districts.

There are coconut and cocoa plantations here. The main ridge of the island is a continuation of the Venezuelan Coast Range. Highest point- 600 m above sea level. The territory of the island is penetrated by narrow mountain streams.

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago today

The population's activities are focused on agriculture, production and processing of petroleum products and natural gas. The country is a major exporter of sugar cane, coconuts, and citrus fruits. They are the ones who bring the main income to the population. The chemical and metallurgical industries are widely developed. Recently, eco-tourism has also begun to develop, gaining popularity all over the world.

The largest cities by population are Port of Spain (the capital), Bonas, San Fernando, Toco, St. Joseph, Redhead, Charlotteville, Princes Town, Arima, Point Fortin, Morvant, Chaguanas.

What to visit?

If you decide to relax in this paradise country, the next paragraph will certainly interest you.

Not only the flora and fauna of the islands pleasantly surprise tourists. A unique mixture of architectural styles can be found in the country's most populous towns.

Port of Spain is the capital of Trinidad, which lies in the Gulf of Paria. Its population is about 17,000 people. There are many historical monuments from the colonial period here. Bustling Caribbean bazaars, typical of the island, coexist with mirrored skyscrapers typical of developed countries. The town itself is very pleasing to the eye: neat streets, plenty of vegetation. Islamic mosques were built here (after all, part of the country’s population professes Islam), which are adjacent to Orthodox churches, as well as many interesting buildings of historical value.

Saint Fernando is another interesting island city. Population - about 49,000 people. The city is located on the Caribbean coast. In Sando, as the local population calls the city for short, the Royal Dockyards and the city's oldest building, the Caribbean House, are still preserved. Tourists have the opportunity to admire Pitch Lake, where they can observe the natural formation of asphalt. Essentially, Pitch Lake is a huge hole in which clay, water and oil are mixed. Asphalt extracted from the depths of the lake is used to build high-quality roads and is popular in many countries around the world.

This is what it looks like unique lake. It is surrounded by a beautiful park.

65 km offshore from Sando is the most popular beach in the country, Maracas Bay. Tourists have the opportunity to dive underwater and learn how to surf.

The town of Black Rock in western Tobago is the most expensive resort in the country. Everything is provided here for a carefree holiday for tourists: wonderful hotels, comfortable cafes, spas, tennis courts and much more. Prices are a bit high, but they drop in October.

Fort King George, on the island of Tobago, was built in 1777. The British began to build it, but after a few years the fort passed into the hands of the French, which was reflected in its architecture. He was always in demand for his intended purpose. But in 1856 a prison and hospital were located there. And today it is used for tourism purposes. On its territory there is a National Museum, which houses valuable exhibits of the republic. And next to the fort there is a wonderful park.

Archipelago climate

Where the islands of Trinidad and Tobago are located, a humid and hot subequatorial climate prevails. The annual temperature per year is +24...+27 °C. This figure remains virtually unchanged throughout the year. In February, which is considered the coldest month, the temperature drops to +23.

From January to May the weather is mostly dry. But from August to October the lion's share of annual precipitation falls on the island. Northeast trade winds bring heavy but short-lived rain.

There are no powerful hurricanes here.

The best time for tourists to visit the country is in February and March. During these months, the weather is comfortable, dry, suitable for people to adapt to a subequatorial climate.

If you want to spend your holiday in cozy silence, it is better to plan a visit to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the summer or early autumn. During this period there are few tourists here, and hotel prices for accommodation and food are much lower.

Finally

If you decide to visit the archipelago, you should immediately clarify: you can only get to the islands from the CIS countries by flight through London, Amsterdam or Frankfurt. The average flight duration is 20 hours. The cost of a flight (also including transfers) can vary from 80 to 300 thousand rubles. A night in a hotel is not cheap for tourists, but you can find hotels from 5,000 rubles/day. Such affordable prices are usually offered by two- and three-star hotels. However, the beauty you will see is worth the money spent.