trinidad and tobago notes

8/6/2019 Trinidad and Tobago Notes

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Leatherback Turtle Nesting1st March, 2011 - 31st August, 2011

Endangered leatherback turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. These fascinatingcreatures can be observed during the months of March - August as they lay their eggsand their hatchlings emerge.

Capital: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Population: Trinidad and Tobago's population stands at 1, 297, 944. People of Africanand Indian descent comprise the majority of the population, with people of mixed race,European, Chinese and Middle Eastern ancestry adding diversity to our ethnic mix.

Currency: The local currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar. US dollars are widelyaccepted at an approximate rate of TT $6 to US $1 and you can find rate information atlocal banks, or the daily newspapers. Euro's and the Pound Sterling (GBP) are not aswidely accepted as US dollars.Traveller's cheques and international credit cards areaccepted at most hotels, restaurants and malls.ATM machines are located at theairport, banks, malls, cities and towns.

Language: The official language of Trinidad and Tobago is English, but Spanish and toa lesser extent French patois, Hindi and Chinese is spoken by some segments of thepopulation through culture and heritage.

Political Status: Independent nation and Republic within the Commonwealth

Area: Trinidad is approximately 185 square miles (4,800 sq km) and Tobago 116 squaremiles (300 sq km)

Location: Trinidad and Tobago are the most southern islands in the Caribbean, locateda mere seven miles off Venezuela's north eastern coast. The islands are a 3 hour and 19minute flight from Miami, 4 1/2 hours from New York and 58 minutes from Caracas.

Climate & Weather: Trinidad and Tobago has a warm, sunny climate year round. Theaverage daytime temperature is about 28 degrees Celsius.Our islands have two mainseasons, the Dry Season, from January to May and the Rainy Season, from June toDecember. In the Rainy Season, mornings are usually sunny, followed by rainyafternoons and fair nights. During this time, our general rainfall pattern is interrupted bydays of brilliant sunshine.

Religion: Freedom of religion is enshrined in Trinidad and Tobago's Constitution, andCatholics, Hindus, Anglicans, Baptist, Pentecostal, Muslim, Seventh Day Adventist areall represented in our islands.

Banking & Business: Banks are open on Monday to Thursday, 8am-2pm and Friday,9am-12noon and 3-5pm. Banks located in shopping plazas and malls are the exceptionto this rule with business hours from 10am to 6pm.

The principal banks are Citibank, First Citizens Bank, Intercommercial Bank, RepublicBank, RBTT and Scotiabank.

As a rule, the day starts at 8am and ends at 4pm, from Monday to Friday at mostGovernment Departments and private business. Shops open from 8 am to 5 pm from


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Monday to Saturday - except for stores in malls, which are open from 10am to7pm.Most malls and shops are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Taxes

Hotel TaxThis tax of 10% is standard to all hotels and guesthouses in T&T. In

addition, hotels may add on their own service and utility fees or security deposits- but this depends on the provider. The best way to find out about these fees isfrom your hotel or guesthouse.

Value Added TaxValue Added Tax, or VAT, is a 15% tax added to goods andservices. The prices displayed in stores usually include this tax, unless otherwisestated. Companies registered to charge VAT, must prominently display theirCertificate of Registration. Information booklets on VAT are available at the VAT

Administration Centre, 20 St. Vincent Street, Port of Spain, or any VAT RegionalOffice. Call 623-4735 or 4737 for more information.

Electricity: 110/220 volts. If this voltage is different from your home country, somehotels offer adapters to their guests or adaptors can be purchased from local hardwareand electrical stores.

Telecommunications: The international dialling code for Trinidad and Tobago is 1-868followed by seven digits. On the islands, use the seven digits alone.

Cellular ServiceWith two cellular phone service providers in Trinidad and Tobago -Digicel and the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) -it's easy to stay connected.Cellular service covers both islands and TSTTprovides state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure that features digitaltechnology and fiber optic systems capable of supporting a wide range ofservices, including wireless. Both companies also provide roaming facilities.Phones or sim cards can be purchased from licensed B Mobile (TSTT) andDigicel dealers in most villages and towns.

InternetEven if you decide to leave your laptop at home, sending and receiving e-mail, chatting online or surfing the World Wide Web is simple andcheap.Internet cafes are very popular in T&T and rates start at US .80 centsper hour (there may be an extra charge for the use of webcams, printers andother accessories). Internet access is free at all public libraries.

Laws: Illegal drugs are not allowed into Trinidad and Tobago. Travelers found to be inpossession of illegal drugs such as cocaine and marijuana (even a small amount) faceserious penalties and jail sentences.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTSBusiness travellers and tourists must produce passportsvalid for three months longer than the intended stay and a return ticket, for entry intoTrinidad and Tobago. For tourism and business related visits of up to 90 days, visas arenot required for citizens of the United States, Caricom (except Haiti),

European Union and British Commonwealth with the exception of the followingcountries:European Union * Czech Republic * Estonia * Hungary *Latvia * Lithuania * Poland * Slovakia * Slovenia

British Commonwealth Countries * Australia * Cameroon * India *Mozambique * New Zealand * Nigeria * Papua New Guinea * South

Africa * Sri Lanka * Tanzania * Uganda Travellers from countries outsidethe United States and European Union must hold a passport valid for six months past


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their travel date, a return ticket and valid visa for entry into Trinidad and Tobago.Applications for entry visas must be submitted to a Trinidad and Tobago Mission abroador where there is no office, to a British Embassy or Consulate in a non-Commonwealthcountry.

The Immigration Division of Trinidad and Tobago can provide further information on visa

requirements.Please noteVisitors arriving in Trinidad and Tobago within five daysof leaving an area with yellow fever must present a vaccination certificate to ImmigrationOfficials.Travellers are also cautioned against wearing military or camouflageclothing, as it is illegal in Trinidad and Tobago. Persons dressed in camouflage riskbeing detained by Customs officials and having the garments confiscated.New traveldocument requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requirespersons from the United States and North America who wish to re-enter or visit theUnited States to present a valid passport.Click here for more information.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL FACILITIESNo special vaccines or precautions arerequired before your trip to Trinidad and Tobago, however you should pack allprescription medication required for the trip. You will also need sunscreen, sunglasses,

insect repellent and a hat, even during the Rainy Season.Tap water is safe to drink,and bottled water is widely available at supermarkets, bars, neighbourhood shops andfood stalls.Trinidad and Tobago has several modern private hospitals and a networkof public hospitals, district health centres and community clinics. For divers, Tobago hasa recompression facility based at the Roxborough Medical Clinic on the island'snortheast coast.Treatment is free to non residents at all public health facilities. Walk-ins are welcome, but priority is given to emergency cases.Below is a listing ofTrinidad and Tobago's major public hospitals

Port of Spain General Hospital160 Charlotte StreetPort of SpainTel: (868) 623-2951

Eric Williams Medical Sciences ComplexUriah Butler HighwayChamp FleursTel:(868) 645-HOPE(Referrals, Accident & Emergency only)Opening Hours: 24 hours

San Fernando General HospitalIndependence AvenueSanFernandoTrinidadTel: (868) 652-3581-6Opening Hours: 24 hours

Arima Health FacilityQueen Mary AvenueArimaTrinidadTel: (868) 667-1766(Accident & Emergency), (868) 667-3503Opening Hours: 24 hours

Chaguanas Health FacilityMain Road Chaguanas (opposite RBTTBank)TrinidadTel: (868) 671-0041 (Accident & Emergency), (868) 665-9297Opening Hours: 24 hours

Sangre Grande Regional HospitalOjoe RoadSangre GrandeTrinidadTel: (868)668-2273, (868) 668-2221Opening Hours: 24 hours

Scarborough Regional HospitalFort StreetScarboroughTobagoTel: (868) 639-2551-6Opening Hours: 24 hoursIn the case of a medical emergency your hotel canrecommend doctors, dentists or the nearest hospital.For minor complaints, commonover the counter medicines can be purchased at local pharmacies. In the capital andmajor towns, pharmacies are usually open from 8am until 9 or 10pm - except onSundays and Public Holidays.


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HISTORY AND CULTURE OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGOIn the Caribbean nation ofTrinidad & Tobago you'll find more than swaying palms and sun-kissed beaches. Whenyou visit these historic islands you'll enjoy a multicultural feast prepared by descendantsof settlers from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East.Arawak andCarib Indians prospered here at the southeastern end of the Caribbean chain until 1498,when Columbus spotted the island he named for the Holy Trinity.Nearly a century

would pass before Spain established Trinidad's first European community, San Jose deOruna (St. Joseph) just east of the modern capital of Port of Spain. But Spain's lack ofcommitment to develop the area made it easy prey for England's Sir Walter Raleigh, whosacked the town in 1595.No attempts were made to colonize Tobago, but in the 17thcentury English, French, Dutch and even Courlanders (Latvians) fought to control thestrategic island, along with pirates who used it as a base for raiding other Indiesoutposts.Britain gained control of Trinidad and Tobago in 1797. During the next 20years, English overseers brought in 10,000 Africans to work sugar, cotton and indigoplantations. Descendants of those slaves today comprise the largest segment ofTobago's population.After Britain abolished slavery in 1830, landowners importedthousands of indentured workers from India, China and the Middle East. Theirdescendants have given Trinidad its multi-ethnic charm and cosmopolitan flavor.The

distinction between the islands is all the more apparent when you consider that theyexisted separately for centuries. Tobago at one time maintained its own legislature. Buteconomic downturns resulting from the collapse of the sugar market in the late 19thcentury prompted Britain to make Tobago a governmental ward of largerTrinidad.The joined islands gained independence in 1962 and the new nation ofTrinidad and Tobago became a republic in 1976.Although it lacks the precious metalsSpain coveted, Trinidad nonetheless is rich in natural resources. Oil and natural gasproduction generates huge revenues and now visitors from around the world flock to theislands each year to enjoy spectacular reefs, abundant wildlife and unique patchwork offestivals celebrating a variety of religious and secular traditions.

Asa Wright Nature CentreThe Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge is a nature resort and scientific research station

in theArima Valley of the Northern Range in Trinidad and Tobago. The Centre is one of the

top birdwatching spots in the Caribbean; a total of 159 species ofbirds have been recorded

there. The Centre is owned by a non-profit trust.

The major properties are the Spring Hill Estate and the adjacent William Beebe Tropical

Research Station (also known as Simla), which was established by William Beebe as a

tropical research station for the New York Zoological Society. Beebe bought the 'VerdantVale' estate in 1949 and named it afterSimla in India, which he had visited in 1910.[1] Both

properties had previously been cacao estates but contained large stands of original

rainforest. The owners of the Spring Hill Estate, Newcombe andAsa Wright, hosted many

visiting scientists in the 1950s and '60s, including the noted ornithologistsDavid Snow and

Barbara Snow, who made detailed studies of the Oilbirds and the very complex courtship


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dances of the White-bearded Manakin and the Golden-headed Manakin.

The Wrights' home became internationally renowned for its easy access to wildlife

(especially the Oilbird colonies in the nearby Dunston Cave, and large numbers of

hummingbirds). After the death of Newcombe Wright in 1967, the Spring Hill Estate wasacquired by a non-profit trust.[2] Asa Wright continued to live at the Centre until her death in

1971. In 1974, the New York Zoological Society donated Simla to the trust.[3]

The Nature Centre in 2001 acquired the Rapsey Estate, known as 'El Naranjo' in theAripoValley, just west of the Arima Valley forTT$3,3 million. The total Nature Centre holdingsare now over 1,300 acres (526 hectares), but this still makes up less than 5% of the valley.

Pointe--Pierre Wild Fowl TrustFounded in 1966, the Pointe--Pierre Wild Fowl Trust is a not for profitenvironmentalnon-

government organisation dedicated to environmental education and the conservation ofwetlands and waterfowl. Located in Pointe--Pierre, Trinidad and Tobago, the Trustcontains 2 lakes and about 25 hectares within the Petrotrinoil refinery.

Economy of Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for

international businesses and has one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes in

Latin America. Recent growth has been fueled by investments in liquefied natural gas

(LNG), petrochemicals, and steel. Additional petrochemical, aluminum, and plasticsprojects are in various stages of planning. Trinidad and Tobago is the leading Caribbean

producer of oil and gas, and its economy is heavily dependent upon these resources but it

also supplies manufactured goods, notably food and beverages, as well as cement to the

Caribbean region. Oil and gas account for about 40% of GDP and 80% of exports, but only

5% of employment.

The country is also a regional financial center, and tourism is a growing sector, although it

is not proportionately as important as in many other Caribbean islands. The economy

benefits from a growing trade surplus. Economic growth reached 12.6% in 2006 and 5.5%

in 2007 as prices for oil, petrochemicals, and LNG remained high, and as foreign direct

investment continued to grow to support expanded capacity in the energy sector.

Trinidad and Tobago's infrastructure is adequate by regional standards. A major expansion

of the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad, the country's main airport, was completed in


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2001. There is an extensive network of paved roads, and utilities are fairly reliable in the

cities. Some areas, however, especially rural districts, still suffer from water shortages. The

government is addressing this problem with the construction of additional desalinization

plants. Infrastructure improvement, especially rural roads and telephone service, drainage

and sewerage, are among the government's budget priorities.

Telephone service is relatively modern and reliable. Mobile phone service is widespreadand has been the major area of growth for several years. Digicel and Laqtel were grantedcellular licenses in 2005, breaking TSTT's monopoly. The Internet has come intowidespread use, although service can be slow at peak times. The government has beenslow to open up this market to competition as well.

Companies of Trinidad and Tobago

Caribbean Airlines

CL Financial

Cable Company of Trinidad and Tobago

Caribbean Development Company

Columbus Communications

Eastern Caribbean Gas Pipeline Company Limited

House of Angostura

Kiss Baking Company Limited

Media and Editorial Projects Limited

National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago

Petrotrin

Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago

S.M. Jaleel and Company

Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago

Tobago Express


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GDP $28.65 billion PPP (2009 est.)

GDP growth -2.7% (2009 est.)

GDP per capita $23,300 (2009 est.)

GDP by sector agriculture: 0.5%; industry: 59.6%; services:

39.9% (2009 est.)

Inflation (CPI) 7.6% (2009 est.)

Population

below poverty

line

17% (2007 est.)

Labour force 629,000 (2009 est.)

Labour force

by occupation

agriculture: 3.8%; manufacturing, mining, and

quarrying: 12.8%; construction and utilities:20.4%; services: 62.9% (2007 est.)

Unemployment 7.5% (2009 est.)

Main industries petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food

processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles

Ease of Doing

Business Rank

97th[1]

External

Exports $10.64 billion (2009 est.)

Export goods petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied

natural gas (LNG), ethanol, ammonia, urea,

steel products, beverages, cereal and cereal

products, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus fruit,

vegetables, flowers

Main export

partners

United States 44.8%, Spain 7.8%, Jamaica

7%, Netherlands 7%, Mexico 4.9% (2008)

Imports $7.449 billion (2009 est.)

Import goods mineral fuels, lubricants, machinery,

transportation equipment, manufactured

goods, food, chemicals, live animalsMain import

partners

United States 26.1%, Brazil 8.6%, Venezuela

7.7%, Colombia 6.1%, Russia 5.3%, China

4% (2008)

Gross external

debt

$2.079 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Public finances


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Public debt 26.7% of GDP (2009 est.)

Revenues $6.176 billion (2009 est.)

Expenses $7.415 billion (2009 est.)

Foreign reserves $7.506 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Newspapers published in Trinidad and Tobago

List of newspapers in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad Guardian

Trinidad and Tobago ExpressTrinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad and Tobago blogs

The Manicou Report Now Is Wow

Keifel Agostini

Ato Boldon

Airguns Trinidad and Tobago

Modess Goddess

Tilla WillahMEP Publishers

Riots and civil unrest in Trinidad and Tobago

Black Power Revolution

Canboulay Riots

Hosay Massacre

Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attemptSocial unrest in Trinidad and Tobago

Islands of Trinidad and Tobago Islands of Trinidad and Tobago

Chacachacare

Gaspar Grande

Huevos

Little Tobago


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Monos

Nelson Island, Trinidad and Tobago

Saint Giles Island

TobagoTrinidad

Lakes of Trinidad and TobagoList of reservoirs and dams in Trinidad and Tobago

Mountains of Trinidad and Tobago

Central Range, Trinidad and Tobago

El Cerro del Aripo

El Tucuche

Northern Range

Trinity Hills

Rivers of Trinidad and Tobago

List of rivers in Trinidad and Tobago

Caroni River (Trinidad and Tobago)

Caura River

Guaracara River

Political parties in Trinidad and Tobago

List of political parties in Trinidad and Tobago

Butler Party

Citizens' Alliance

Committee for Transformation and Progress

Communist Party of Trinidad and Tobago

Democratic Action Congress

Democratic Labour Party (Trinidad and Tobago)

Democratic National Alliance

Democratic Party of Trinidad and Tobago

Movement for National Development


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Movement for National Transformation

National Alliance for Reconstruction

National Joint Action Committee

National Team Unity

National Transformation Movement

Organisation for National Reconstruction

People's Democratic Party (Trinidad and Tobago)

People's Liberation Movement

People's National Movement

Tobago Organization of the People

United Labour Front

United National CongressWorkers and Farmers Party

Trinidad and Tobago trade unionists

Tubal Uriah Butler

Arthur Andrew Cipriani

C. L. R. James

Basdeo Panday

Adrian Cola Rienzi Raffique ShahRoger Toussaint

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