2011 Edition

Background

First colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in the early 19th century. The islands' sugar industry was hurt by the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. Manpower was replaced with the importation of contract laborers from India between 1845 and 1917, which boosted sugar production as well as the cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export. Independence was attained in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. The government is coping with a rise in violent crime.

Area

5,128 sq km 5,128 sq km 0 sq km

total

5,128 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Delaware

Climate

tropical; rainy season (June to December)

Coastline

362 km

Elevation extremes

Caribbean Sea 0 m El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

highest point

El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.31 cu km/yr (68%/26%/6%) 237 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

237 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.31 cu km/yr (68%/26%/6%)

Geographic coordinates

11 00 N, 61 00 W

Geography - note

Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt

Irrigated land

70 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

14.62% 9.16% 76.22% (2005)

arable land

14.62%

other

76.22% (2005)

permanent crops

9.16%

Location

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, asphalt

Terrain

mostly plains with some hills and low mountains

Total renewable water resources

3.8 cu km (2000)

Age structure

19.5% (male 122,044/female 116,859) 72.1% (male 455,148/female 429,990) 8.4% (male 44,439/female 59,025) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

19.5% (male 122,044/female 116,859)

15-64 years

72.1% (male 455,148/female 429,990)

65 years and over

8.4% (male 44,439/female 59,025) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

14.35 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4.4% (2000)

Death rate

8.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 98% of population rural: 93% of population total: 34% of population urban: 2% of population rural: 7% of population total: 6% of population (2008)

rural

7% of population

total

6% of population (2008)

urban

2% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Indian (South Asian) 40%, African 37.5%, mixed 20.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2000 census)

Health expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.5% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

15,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.5 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

27.69 deaths/1,000 live births 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births 26.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

26.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

27.69 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese

Life expectancy at birth

71.37 years 68.51 years 74.3 years (2011 est.)

female

74.3 years (2011 est.)

total population

71.37 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 98.6% 99.1% 98% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98% (2003 est.)

male

99.1%

total population

98.6%

Major cities - population

PORT-OF-SPAIN (capital) 57,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

55 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

33.1 years 32.6 years 33.6 years (2011 est.)

female

33.6 years (2011 est.)

male

32.6 years

total

33.1 years

Nationality

Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) Trinidadian, Tobagonian

adjective

Trinidadian, Tobagonian

noun

Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)

Net migration rate

-6.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

People - note

in 2007, the government of Trinidad and Tobago estimated the population to be 1.3 million

Physicians density

1.175 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

1,227,505 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.087% (2011 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 25.8% (Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4%), Hindu 22.5%, Muslim 5.8%, other Christian 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9% (2000 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 92% of population rural: 92% of population total: 92% of population urban: 8% of population rural: 8% of population total: 8% of population (2008)

rural

8% of population

total

8% of population (2008)

urban

8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 11 years 12 years (2007)

female

12 years (2007)

male

11 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.028 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.75 male(s)/female

at birth

1.028 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.72 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

10.5% 8.8% 12.9% (2008)

female

12.9% (2008)

total

10.5%

Urbanization

14% of total population (2010) 3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

14% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

9 regional corporations, 2 city corporations, 3 borough corporations, 1 ward Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco Port of Spain, San Fernando Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortin Tobago

borough corporations

Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortin

city corporations

Port of Spain, San Fernando

regional corporations

Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco

ward

Tobago

Capital

Port of Spain 10 39 N, 61 31 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

10 39 N, 61 31 W

name

Port of Spain

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

1 August 1976

Country name

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago

conventional long form

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

conventional short form

Trinidad and Tobago

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Beatrice W. WELTERS 15 Queen's Park West, Port of Spain P. O. Box 752, Port of Spain [1] (868) 622-6371 through 6376 [1] (868) 822-5905

chief of mission

Ambassador Beatrice W. WELTERS

embassy

15 Queen's Park West, Port of Spain

FAX

[1] (868) 822-5905

mailing address

P. O. Box 752, Port of Spain

telephone

[1] (868) 622-6371 through 6376

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Neil PARSAN 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 467-6490 [1] (202) 785-3130 Miami, New York

chancery

1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Neil PARSAN

consulate(s) general

Miami, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 785-3130

telephone

[1] (202) 467-6490

Executive branch

President George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003) Prime Minister Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR (since 26 May 2010) Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 February 2008 (next to be held by February 2013); the president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives George Maxwell RICHARDS reelected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA

cabinet

Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament

chief of state

President George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003)

election results

George Maxwell RICHARDS reelected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA

elections

president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 February 2008 (next to be held by February 2013); the president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives

head of government

Prime Minister Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR (since 26 May 2010)

Flag description

red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side to the lower fly side; the colors represent the elements of earth, water, and fire; black stands for the wealth of the land and the dedication of the people; white symbolizes the sea surrounding the islands, the purity of the country's aspirations, and equality; red symbolizes the warmth and energy of the sun, the vitality of the land, and the courage and friendliness of its people

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

31 August 1962 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission); the highest court of appeal is the Privy Council in London; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

Legal system

English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; 16 members appointed by the ruling party, 9 by the President, 6 by the opposition party to serve a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) House of Representatives - last held on 24 May 2010 (next to be held in 2015) House of Representatives - percent of vote - NA; seats by party - UNC 21, PNM 12, COP 6, TOP 2 Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly with 12 members serving four-year terms; last election held in January 2005; seats by party - PNM 11, DAC 1

election results

House of Representatives - percent of vote - NA; seats by party - UNC 21, PNM 12, COP 6, TOP 2

elections

House of Representatives - last held on 24 May 2010 (next to be held in 2015)

National anthem

"Forged From the Love of Liberty" Patrick Stanislaus CASTAGNE adopted 1962; the song was originally created to serve as an anthem for the West Indies Federation; it was adopted by Trinidad and Tobago following the Federation's dissolution in 1962

lyrics/music

Patrick Stanislaus CASTAGNE

name

"Forged From the Love of Liberty"

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1962)

National symbol(s)

scarlet ibis (bird of Trinidad); cocrico (bird of Tobago)

Political parties and leaders

Congress of the People or COP [Winston DOOKERAN]; Democratic Action Congress or DAC [Hochoy CHARLES] (only active in Tobago); Democratic National Alliance or DNA [Gerald YETMING] (coalition of NAR, DDPT, MND); Movement for National Development or MND [Garvin NICHOLAS]; National Alliance for Reconstruction or NAR [Dr. Carson CHARLES]; People's National Movement or PNM [Patrick MANNING]; Tobago Organization of the People or TOP [Ashworth JACK]; United National Congress or UNC [Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Jamaat-al Muslimeen [Yasin ABU BAKR]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cocoa, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry

Budget

$6.6 billion $7.199 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$7.199 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$6.6 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2010 est.) 7.25% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.3% (31 December 2010 est.) 11.9% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

$3.944 billion (2010 est.) $1.614 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$4.289 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.857 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Economy - overview

Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses and has one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes in Latin America. Economic growth between 2000 and 2007 averaged slightly over 8%, significantly above the regional average of about 3.7% for that same period; however, GDP has slowed down since then and contracted about 3.5% in 2009, before rising more than 2% in 2010. Growth has been fueled by investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, and steel. Additional petrochemical, aluminum, and plastics projects are in various stages of planning. Trinidad and Tobago is the leading Caribbean producer of oil and gas, and its economy is heavily dependent upon these resources but it also supplies manufactured goods, notably food products and beverages, as well as cement to the Caribbean region. Oil and gas account for about 40% of GDP and 80% of exports, but only 5% of employment. The country is also a regional financial center, and tourism is a growing sector, although it is not as important domestically as it is to many other Caribbean islands. The economy benefits from a growing trade surplus. The previous MANNING administration benefited from fiscal surpluses fueled by the dynamic export sector; however, declines in oil and gas prices have reduced government revenues which will challenge the new government's commitment to maintaining high levels of public investment.

Electricity - consumption

7.246 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

7.419 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TTD) per US dollar - 6.3337 (2010) 6.3099 (2009) 6.2896 (2008) 6.3275 (2007) 6.3107 (2006)

Exports

$12.72 billion (2010 est.) $9.175 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia, urea, steel products, beverages, cereal and cereal products, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus fruit, vegetables, flowers

Exports - partners

US 44.2%, Spain 6.1%, Jamaica 5.1% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

0.4% 58.8% 40.8% (2010 est.)

agriculture

0.4%

industry

58.8%

services

40.8% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$21,200 (2010 est.) $21,200 (2009 est.) $22,000 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0% (2010 est.) -3.5% (2009 est.) 2.4% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$20.59 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$26.1 billion (2010 est.) $26.09 billion (2009 est.) $27.05 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$8.187 billion (2010 est.) $6.973 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

mineral fuels, lubricants, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals, live animals

Imports - partners

US 27.8%, Russia 11.5%, Brazil 7.8%, Colombia 6.9%, Gabon 4.3%, China 4.2%, Canada 4.2% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

2.5% (2010 est.)

Industries

petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia, urea, steel products, beverages, food processing, cement, cotton textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10.5% (2010 est.) 7% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

11.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

634,300 (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3.8% 12.8% 20.4% 62.9% (2007 est.)

agriculture

3.8%

construction and utilities

20.4%

manufacturing, mining, and quarrying

12.8%

services

62.9% (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$12.16 billion (31 December 2010) $11.15 billion (31 December 2009) $12.16 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

21.97 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

20.41 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

42.38 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

408.2 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

41,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

242,600 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

95,240 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

144,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

728.3 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

17% (2007 est.)

Public debt

29.8% of GDP (2010 est.) 26.2% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$9.659 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $9.246 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$13.94 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $12.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$3.829 billion (2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$102 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $12.44 billion (2007)

Stock of domestic credit

$5.75 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.557 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.577 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.182 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

32.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.4% (2010 est.) 5.8% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

5 TV networks each broadcasting on multiple stations; one of the networks is state-owned; multiple cable TV subscription service providers; multiple radio networks, one state-owned, broadcast over about 35 stations (2007)

Internet country code

.tt

Internet hosts

168,876 (2010)

Internet users

593,000 (2009)

Telephone system

excellent international service; good local service mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 185 telephones per 100 persons country code - 1-868; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to US and parts of the Caribbean and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana

domestic

mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 185 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

excellent international service; good local service

international

country code - 1-868; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to US and parts of the Caribbean and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana

Telephones - main lines in use

293,300 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.894 million (2010)

Airports

6 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2010)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

over 3,047 m

1

total

3

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

3

under 914 m

2 (2010)

Merchant marine

passenger 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1 2 (Bahamas 1, unknown 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

2 (Bahamas 1, unknown 1) (2010)

total

6

Pipelines

gas 671 km; oil 334 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port of Spain, Scarborough Galeota Point terminal

oil terminals

Galeota Point terminal

Roadways

8,320 km 4,252 km 4,068 km (2001)

total

8,320 km

unpaved

4,068 km (2001)

Manpower available for military service

341,764 317,899 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

317,899 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

341,764

Manpower fit for military service

269,824 261,735 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

261,735 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

269,824

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

8,164 7,503 (2010 est.)

female

7,503 (2010 est.)

male

8,164

Military branches

Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF): Trinidad and Tobago Army, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (2010)

Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF)

Trinidad and Tobago Army, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (2010)

Military expenditures

0.3% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (16 years of age with parental consent); no conscription (2010)

Disputes - international

Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone; in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to compulsory international arbitration under UNCLOS challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's and Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into Barbadian waters; Guyana has also expressed its intention to include itself in the arbitration as the Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela maritime boundary may extend into its waters as well

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis