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Description Trinidad and Tobago by rbd.me
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First colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in the early 19th century. The islands' sugar industry was hurt by the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. Manpower was replaced with the importation of contract laborers from India between 1845 and 1917, which boosted sugar production as well as the cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export. Independence was attained in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. The government is coping with a rise in violent crime.
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Location
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Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
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Area - comparative
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slightly smaller than Delaware
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Natural resources Trinidad and Tobago
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tropical; rainy season (June to December)
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Population Trinidad and Tobago
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water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion
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Religions Trinidad and Tobago
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1,900 (2003 est.)
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Languages
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Indian (South Asian) 40%, African 37.5%, mixed 20.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2000 census)
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Education Trinidad and Tobago expenditures
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Roman Catholic 26%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Muslim 5.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, other Christian 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9% (2000 census)
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Government Trinidad and Tobago type
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English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese
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Independence
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in 2007, the government of Trinidad and Tobago estimated the population to be 1.3 million
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Trinidad and Tobago Economy - overview
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Jamaat-al Muslimeen [Yasin BAKR]
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Investment Trinidad and Tobago
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7.5% (2009 est.)
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Industries Trinidad and Tobago
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$3.423 billion (31 December 2008)
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Airports Trinidad and Tobago
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AM 2, FM 28, shortwave 0 (2008)
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