Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

People

• Population (1991 est.): 1,285,000.
• Age distribution (%)
  • 0-14: 32.9;
  • 15-59: 58.7;
  • 60+: 8.4.i
• Pop. density: 648 per sq. mi.
• Ethnic groups:
  • Africans 43%,
  • East Indians 40%,
  • mixed 14%.
• Languages: English (official).
• Religions:
  • Roman Catholic 32%,
  • Protestant 29%,
  • Hindu 25%,
  • Moslem 6%.

Geography

• Area: 1,980 sq. mi., the size of Delaware.
• Location: Off eastern coast of Venezuela.
• Neighbors: Nearest is Venezuela on SW.
• Topography: Three low mountain ranges cross Trinidad E-W, with a well-watered plain between N and Central Ranges. Parts of E and W coasts are swamps. Tobago, 116 sq. mi., lies 20 mi. NE.
• Capital: Port-of-Spain.
• Cities (1990 met. est.)
  • Port-of-Spain 300,000
  • San Fernando 50,000.

Government

• Type: Parliamentary democracy.
• Head of state: Pres. Noor Hassanali
  • In office: Mar. 19, 1987.
• Head of government: Prime Min. Patrick Manning
  • In office: Dec. 17, 1991.
• Local divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipilities.

Economy

• Industries:
  • Oil products,
  • rum,
  • cement,
  • tourism.
• Chief crops:
  • Sugar,
  • cocoa,
  • coffee,
  • citrus fruits,
  • bananas.
• Minerals:
  • Asphalt,
  • oil
• Arable land: 14%.
• Electricity prod. (1990): 3.3 bln. kWh.
• Labor force:
  • 18% construction-utilities,
  • 14% manuf.,
  • mining,
  • commerce, 47%
  • services. Finance: Monetary unit: Dollar (Mar. 1992: 4.25 = $1 US). Gross domestic product (1989): $4.0 bln. Per capita GDP: $3,363. Imports (1990): $1.3 bln.; partners: U.S. 51%, UK 8%. Exports (1990): $1.7 bln.; partners: U.S. 53%. Tourists (1989): $89 mln. receipts. National budget (1991): $1.7 bln. expenditures. International reserves less gold (Mar. 1992): $338 mln. Gold: 54,000 oz t. Consumer prices (change in 1991): 3.9%. Transport: Motor vehicles: in use (1989): 269,000 passenger cars, 68,000 comm. vehicles. Civil aviation: (1989): 2.6 bln. passenger-km; 2 airports. Chief ports: Port-of-Spain. Communications: Television sets: 1 per 3.6 persons. Radios: 1 per 3.1 persons. Telephones: 1 per 6.2 persons. Daily newspaper circ. (1990): 140 per 1,000 pop. Health: Life expectancy at birth (1991): 68 male; 72 female. Births (per 1,000 pop. 1991): 21. Deaths (per 1,000 pop. 1991): 6. Natural increase: 1.5%. Hospital beds: 1 per 270 persons. Physicians: 1 per 1,213 persons. Infant mortality (per 1,000 pop. 1991): 18. Education (1988): Literacy: 97%. Years compulsory: 8. Major International Organizations: UN (GATT, IMF, WHO), Commonwealth of Nations, OAS. Embassy: 1708 Massachusetts Ave. NW 20036; 467-6490. Columbus sighted Trinidad in 1498. A British possession since 1802, Trinidad and Tobago won independence Aug. 31, 1962. It became a republic in 1976. The People's National Movement party has held control of the government since 1956. The nation is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean. Oil production has increased with offshore finds. Middle Eastern oil is refined and exported, mostly to the U.S. In July 1990, some 120 Moslem extremists captured the parliament building and TV station and took about 50 hostages including Prime Minister Arthur Robinson, who was beaten, shot in the legs, and tied to explosives. After a 6-day siege, the rebels surrendered.