Interesting Facts about Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago are the two largest islands in the group of islands that is formally known as the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. This country is located in the southern Caribbean sea , just 11 km (6.8 mi) off the north eastern coast of Venezuela. Trinidad is the larger of the two islands with a total land area of 4,748 km2 (1,833.2 sq mi), whilst Tobago is only 300 km2 (116 sq mi) in size. Combined they have a total population of approximately 1,350,000 people. Tobago is located to the north of Trinidad and southeast of Grenada.
Interesting Facts about Trinidad and Tobago
- The island of Trinidad was given its name by the explorer Christopher Columbus who named the island “La Isla de la Trinidad” (“The Island of the Trinity”) upon its discovery in 1498.
- The island of Trinidad was a Spanish island, but many French immigrants settled there. Tobago was owned by the British, French, and Dutch and eventually became a British island.
- In 1889 the two islands became a single crown colony and in 1962 became independent from the British Empire.
- The economy of Trinidad and Tobago relies mostly on natural gas and it is one of the leading natural gas exporters in the world.
- The motto of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is “Together we aspire, together we achieve.”
- Calypso, limbo, soca and chutney all originate from Trinidad and Tobago
- Carnival also originated in Trinidad and was copied by other Caribbean countries.
- The highest point in the country is El Cerro del Aripo which is 940 metres (3,080 ft) above sea level and located on the island of Trinidad.
- The islands have a tropical climate with the highest temperature ever recorded at 39 °C(100.4 °F) and the lowest 12 °C.
- This country is one of the wealthiest Caribbean countries prompting their removal from the “developing countries” list in 2011.
- Students in Trinidad and Tobago are expected to have basic reading and writing skills before they start formal schooling at the age of 5. Most children start preschool at two and a half years of age.
- Trinidad and Tobago recently won an Olympic gold medal in Javelin in 2012.
- The most popular sports in the country are cricket, football, netball, rugby union and basketball.
More facts about the island of Tobago
- Tobago is approximately 42 km (26 mi) long and 10 km (6.2 mi) wide.
- The capital city of Tobago is Scarborough, which is located on the south western side of the island.
- Most of the population of Tobago is of African descent.
- Tobago is a hilly island with the highest point being Pigeon Peak rising to 550 metre (1804 ft).
- Tobago experiences a wet season and a dry season. The wet season runs between July and November and a dry season between December and June.
- The official languages of Tobago are English and Tobago Creole.
More facts about the island of Trinidad
- Trinidad is a diverse island with many different nationalities represented. It is estimated that 20% of the population is East Indian, 40% African, 37.5% mixed, 0.6% white, and 1.2% Chinese and other.
- The steel pan, a well known Caribbean instrument, originated in Trinidad. It is the country’s national instrument.
- The Red Brocket Deer, Collared Peccary, Red Howler Monkey, and Ocelot are animals which are native to Trinidad. The Trinidad Piping Guan is native to Trinidad alone.
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