Also known as: |
Land of the Humming Bird
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Motto:
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Together we Aspire, Together we
Achieve
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Location:
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Southernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles.
Separated from Venezuela by the 11 km (7
miles) strait of the Gulf of Paria.
Trinidad, the larger of the two islands, is
30km (19 miles) from Tobago.
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History:
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Both islands were settled by Amerindians.
Trinidad became a Spanish outpost from the
late 16th century. French and British
settlers; African slaves, indentured
labourers came during the 18th century. The
two islands became one state in 1888 and
gained independence in 1962. In 1976 the
twin-island State became a Republic within
the Commonwealth with the President as Head
of State.
Executive power lies with the Prime Minister
and the Cabinet. The Legislature consists
of an elected House of Representatives and
an appointed Senate.
Tobago has a separate House of Assembly
which is responsible for some of the
island's domestic affairs.
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Elections:
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Last elections 2007. Next elections due
2012
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Ruling Party:
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People's National Movement
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Major Political Parties:
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People's National Movement (PNM), United
National Congress-Alliance (UNC-A),
Congress of the People (COP)
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Head of State:
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H.E. George Maxwell Richards, President
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Head of Government:
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Hon. Patrick A.M.
Manning
Prime Minister
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Economic Summary:
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The petroleum sector is by far the most
important sector with petrochemicals and
natural gas enjoying prime economic focus.
This shift in emphasis away from crude oil
production was to cash in on the abundant
natural gas supplies which are used as a
feedstock in the domestic production of
methanol and ammonia for export. Trinidad
and Tobago is one of the world's largest
producers of both commodities. In 1999 a
huge Atlantic Liquefied Natural Gas project
came on stream, catering for export
production of the gas as a fuel.
The energy sector has been boosting some
sub-sectors, namely distribution,
transportation and construction, earning a
total share of over one-third of GDP.
Local manufacture (excluding oil refining
and petrochemical industries) continues to
grow. The agriculture sector also
contributes to an overall sound economy.
Tourism is an important growth sector. A
good blend of cultural diversity and special
interest areas are among the features
supporting this sector. The famous annual
carnival and the jazz festival, which is
held in Tobago, offers much potential for
boosting this sector.
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Airports:
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Piarco International (Trinidad)
Crown Point International (T0bago)
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Status:
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Independence - 31 August 1962
Republic - 1 March 1976
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Capital:
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Port-of-Spain
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Area:
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5,128 km2 (1,980 miles2)
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Population:
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1,290,646 (2004)
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Currency: |
Trinidad and Tobago Dollar |
GDP: |
EC$33,103.6 million (2004) |
GDP Per Capita |
EC$25,649 (2004)
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Total Exports: |
EC$17,943.0 million (2004)
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Total Imports: |
EC$1.3,437.6 (million (2004)
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Intra-Regional Exports: |
EC$2,355.6 million (2004)
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Intra-Regional Imports: |
EC$247.3 million (2004)
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Business
Hours: |
Commercial: 8:00-16:30hrs Monday to Friday
Government: 8:00-12:00 hrs, 13:00-16:30
hrs Monday to Friday
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National
Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January); Ash Wednesday;
Good Friday; Easter Monday; Id-Ul-Fitr (as
decreed); Spiritual Shouter Baptist
Liberation Day (March 30); Corpus Christi;
Indian Arrival Day (May 30); Labour Day
(June 19); Emancipation Day (August
01);Independence Day (August 31); Republic
Day (24 September); Diwali (as decreed);
Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day (26
December)
Carnival Monday and Tuesday are not Public
Holidays. Holidays that fall on a Sunday
are observed on the Monday following
immediately. When two holidays fall on the
same date the following day is given as a
public holiday.
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Date of CARICOM Membership:
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1 August 1973
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National Anthem:
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Forged from the love of liberty.
In the fires of Hope and Prayer,
With boundless faith in our Destiny,
We solemnly declare,
Side by side we stand,
Islands of the blue Caribbean Sea,
This our Native Land,
We pledge our lives to Thee,
Here every creed and race find an equal
place,
And may God bless our Nation.
Together we aspire, together we achieve
(Words and Music by Patrick S. Castagne)
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Highest National Award:
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Trinity Cross
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Favourite Dish:
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Callaloo; Pelau; Roti and Curry
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Government
website: |
http://www.gov.tt |