TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Trinidad and Tobago are located in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean at 11 km. distance from Venezuela. Trinidad has an area of approximately 80 x 60 km. and Tobago is 41 x 12 km. The islands have a tropical maritime climate with a dry season from January to May and the rest of the year a rainy season. There is usually a northeast trade wind.The nature is similar to that of Venezuela. There are coral reefs, mangroves, rainforest, rivers, agricultural areas and dams with water reservoirs, secondary forest and savannah. So many different landscapes to enjoy!
Nature
Native animals include manatee, wild boar, ocelot, agouti, deer, otters, monkeys, bats, sea turtles, spectacled caiman, large and small snakes, lobsters, rays, dolphins and octopus.T & T is popular with birdwatchers, as scarlet ibises, egrets, toucans, parrots, parakeets, pelicans, vultures, hummingbirds, butterflies and many insects are native. The islands are 40% forested.
The manchineel or beech apple (manzanilla) is a poisonous shrub that grows along the beaches. All parts are poisonous, even raindrops falling from the shrub cause blisters. Natives used the sap as a deadly arrow poison in the war against the Spanish. Warning signs have been placed on the trunks.
History, economy and population
Natives crossed over to the islands from Venezuela about 7000 years ago. Around 1500, Arawaks and Caribs lived there. Columbus discovered ‘Isla de la Trinidad’ in 1498. The name Tobago is said to be derived from ‘tabaco’ (tobacco).The natives fought against Spanish colonists from 1530 to 1592. Mission Santa Rosa de Arima was founded according to the encomienda system. The land was given to the Catholic Church and the native population was obliged to work there. In 1689, the natives killed a number of priests, after which the Spanish murdered a large group of natives near Arena.
For centuries, T & T were attacked by the Dutch, French and English. Forts were built, the islands changed hands more than 30 times and were plundered by pirates.
Because the islands were sparsely populated, foreigners were allowed to settle as planters. After the French Revolution (1789), planters fled with their families and slaves from the French islands of Martinique, Santa Lucia and Guadeloupe to Trinidad, where they were safe under Spanish rule.
After the English took over (1802), English, Irish and Scottish colonists arrived. The plantations produced sugar, rum and indigo. Slavery was abolished in 1833 and full emancipation followed in 1838. Indentured labourers were brought from India, China and Portugal. Up to 1917, 147,000 indentured labourers from India came to Trinidad. After the indenture period, they were offered land to grow sugar cane.
In 1920, the prices of sugar and cocoa fell and after 1930 the oil industry was on the rise.
During the Second World War (1940-1945), there was an American army base on Trinidad. The infrastructure was improved and well-paid employment was created. In 1961 the Americans left.
In 1962, T & T became independent and since 1976 the island state has been a republic. It is an industrial state with enormous oil and gas reserves. In the seventies, tourism developed and thanks to rising oil prices, prosperity on the islands increased.
The number of inhabitants of T & T is approximately 1,210,000. The population consists of 35% descendants of contractors from India, 35% descendants of Africans, 15% is mixed. Trinidadian English or Creole is spoken, with influence from French Creole. Hindustani sometimes speak Bhojpuri, immigrants from Venezuela speak Spanish, Chinese speak Hakka.
Trinidad is the most prosperous Caribbean island. On Tobago, tourism is the main source of income. Sugar cane and cocoa are still grown here and there, but South America and Africa produce cheaper. The communication and transport sectors are well developed.
Trinidad Attractions
In the capital, Port of Spain, carnival is the highlight of the year. Hindu festivals Divali and Phagwa, Muslim festivals Id ul Fitr and Id ul Adha and Christian Easter and Christmas are national holidays. The natives celebrate the Santa Rosa Native Festival. Festivals are held throughout the year.The beaches (including Maracas) and the nightlife are the main attractions in Trinidad.
The National Museum & Art Gallery in Port of Spain displays photographs of carnival, as well as Trinidadian art. The Royal Botanic Gardens are located in Queenspark Savannah.
During a boat trip through the Caroni Swamp, south of Port of Spain, you can spot caimans, boas, crabs, herons and scarlet ibises. At sunset, hundreds of scarlet ibises fly from Venezuela to their overnight spot in the Caroni Swamp.
In the Asa Wright Nature Centre you can enjoy the vegetation and spot forest animals along the forest trails. There are several species of hummingbirds to see. In the Santa Cruz Valley there are still some cocoa plantations.
Tobago attractions
Many tourists combine a visit to Trinidad with a trip to Tobago. There are daily flights and a ferry between the islands. The capital of Tobago is Scarborough, with the King George Fort. Speyside is a fishing village in the northeast, opposite the bird island Little Tobago.Sandy beaches can be found at Englishman’s Bay and Parlatuvier. The beaches are generally quiet. The coral reef at Charlotteville is a beautiful diving spot.
At Bucco Reef, at the southwestern tip, you can take a trip with a glass bottom boat to view the coral reef. At the beach Pigeon Point you can swim and go horse riding.
In the area of Roxborough is the Argyle Waterfall where you can swim and walk. Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve is a place for a walk among bamboo, palms and heliconia. And then there is the 17th century Fort James at Plymouth.
Come and enjoy nature and tranquility on paradise Tobago!
$130,-
| Capital | Port of Spain |
|---|---|
| Population | 1.227.505 |
| Language | English |
| Currency | Trinidad & Tobago dollar (TTD) |
| Visa required | www.visum.nl |
| Vaccination(s) | yes |
| Voltage | 115 V |
| Traffic | left-hand traffic |
