Trinidad (Spanish: "Trinity") is the larger and more populated of the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just 11 km (7 miles) off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. Trinidad has an area of 4,769 km² (1,864 sq. mi.), the sixth largest in the West Indies and is located between and .

History

main: History of Trinidad and Tobago

The history of Trinidad and Tobago begins with the settlements of the islands by Amerindians. Both islands were encountered by Christopher Columbus on his third voyage in 1498. The island was originally called Iere meaning the Land of the Hummingbird by the Amerindians but was renamed Trinidad by Columbus after a trio of mountains(The Three Sisters) in the Southern range which were the first things he saw upon discovering the island and also for the Holy Trinity. Trinidad remained in Spanish hands until 1797, but it was largely settled by French colonists. In 1888 the two islands were incorporated into a single crown colony. Trinidad and Tobago obtained its independence from the British Empire in 1962 and became a republic in 1976.

Contemporary Trinidad

Main: Trinidad and Tobago

Port of Spain is the capital of Trinidad.Today Trinidad is the result of a fusion of many different cultures. It hosts an annual pre-Lenten Carnival. It is the birthplace of Calypso music, the Steelpan musical instrument pie and Limbo dance. Styles of popular music include calypso, chutney music, soca and parang.

Major landforms include the hills of the Northern, Central and Southern Ranges, the Caroni, Nariva and Oropouche Swamps, and the Caroni and Naparima Plains. Major river systems include the Caroni, North and South Oropouche and Ortoire Rivers. Native mammals include the Red Brocket Deer, Collared Peccary, Red Howler Monkey and the Ocelot. Trinidad has a rich avifauna, including a single endemic species, the Trinidad Piping Guan.

Trinidad is also an industrial island with a diversified economy, based to a large extent on oil and natural gas, industry and agriculture.Fact: date=November 2007 It is one of the leading gas-based export centers in the world, being the leading exporter of ammonia and methanol and among the top five exporters of liquefied natural gas. This has allowed Trinidad to capitalize on the large mineral reserves within its territories. It has good transport links and infrastructure, although some roads in more rural areas are in disrepair.Fact: date=November 2007

External links

• Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Website