| Also known as: |
Land of the Humming Bird |
Motto: |
Together we Aspire,
Together we Achieve |
Location: |
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. |
History: |
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.
|
Elections: |
Last elections
2010. Next elections due 2015 |
Ruling Party: |
United National
Congress (UNC) - People's Partnership |
Major Political Parties: |
United National
Congress (UNC), People's National Movement (PNM),
Congress of the People (COP) |
Head of State: |
H.E. George Maxwell Richards,
TC, CMT, PhD - President |
Head of Government: |
Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Prime Minister
Date of Birth: 22 April 1952
Marital Status: Married
Education:
1974: B.A. (Hons.) - Norwood Technical College,
England and later UWI, Jamaica
1976: Diploma in Education
1985: Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) & Legal
Education Certification (LEC), Hugh Wooding Law School,
Trinidad and Tobago
2006: EMBA, Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, TrinidadProfessional/Political Career:
|
... |
High School Teacher in Jamaica
and Trinidad and Tobago |
|
... |
Social Worker, Church of England
Children's Society, London |
|
... |
Lecturer, Department of Language
and Linguistics, UWI |
| 1987-1991: |
Alderman, St. Patrick County
Council |
| 1994-1995: |
Appointed United
National Congress (UNC) Senator |
| 1995: |
Elected UNC Member of Parliament
& Deputy Leader UNC |
| 1995: |
Sworn in as Attorney General |
| 1996-1999: |
Minister of Legal Affairs |
| 1991-2001: |
Minister of Education |
| 2000: |
Re-elected Deputy Leader UNC |
| 2000: |
Acted as Prime
Minister |
|
2001-2002: |
Re-elected Deputy
Leader UNC |
| 2010: |
Elected Leader of
the United National Congress
UNC |
| 2010: |
Appointed Leader of
the Opposition |
| 2010:
|
Elected Prime
Minister |
|
Economic Summary: |
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.
|
Airports: |
Piarco International
(Trinidad)
Crown
Point International (T0bago)
|
Status: |
Independence - 31 August 1962
Republic - 1 March 1976
|
Capital: |
Port-of-Spain |
Area: |
5,128 km2 (1,980
miles2) |
Population: |
1,290,646 (2004) |
| Currency: |
Trinidad and Tobago Dollar |
| GDP: |
EC$33,103.6 million (2004) |
| GDP Per Capita |
EC$25,649 (2004)
|
| Total Exports: |
EC$17,943.0 million (2004)
|
| Total Imports: |
EC$1.3,437.6 (million (2004) |
| Intra-Regional Exports: |
EC$2,355.6 million (2004) |
| Intra-Regional Imports: |
EC$247.3 million (2004)
|
| Business Hours: |
Commercial: 8:00-16:30hrs
Monday to Friday
Government: 8:00-12:00 hrs, 13:00-16:30 hrs Monday to
Friday
|
| 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.
|
Date of CARICOM Membership: |
1 August 1973 |
National Anthem: |
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)
|
Highest National Award: |
Trinity Cross |
Favourite Dish: |
Callaloo; Pelau; Roti and Curry |
| Government website: |
http://www.gov.tt |
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National
Flag |
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