Trinidad and Tobago |
|
| OVERVIEW |
| |
| Background |
The islands
came under British control in the 19th century; independence
was granted 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. |
| Natural
resources |
petroleum, natural gas,
asphalt |
| Land use |
arable land: 14.62%
permanent crops: 9.16%
other: 76.22% (1998 est.) |
| Population |
1,104,209 (July 2003 est.)
|
| Ethnic groups |
black 39.5%, East Indian
(a local term - primarily immigrants from northern India)
40.3%, mixed 18.4%, white 0.6%, Chinese and other 1.2% |
| Religions |
Roman Catholic 29.4%,
Hindu 23.8%, Anglican 10.9%, Muslim 5.8%, Presbyterian 3.4%,
other 26.7% |
| Languages |
English (official), Hindi,
French, Spanish, Chinese |
| Literacy |
definition: age 15 and
over can read and write
total population: 98.6%
male: 99.1%
female: 98% (2003 est.) |
| Capital |
Port-of-Spain |
| Government
type |
parliamentary democracy
|
| Independence |
31 August 1962 (from UK)
|
| National
holiday |
Independence Day, 31 August
(1962) |
|
|
