| Motto:
|
Together
we Aspire, Together we Achieve |
|
|
|
Coat
of Arms |
National
Flower (Victoria Regia Lily)
|
Flag |
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| Location: |
Southernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles. Separated
from Venezuela by the 11 km (7 miles) strait of
the Gulf of Paria. 30 km (19 miles) separate the
two islands. |
| 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 2002. Next elections due in 2007 |
| Ruling
Party: |
People's National Movement |
| Major
Political Parties: |
People's
National Movement (PNM), United National Congress
(UNC), National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR). |
| Head
of State: |
H.E.
George Maxwell Richards, President |
| Head
of Government: |
|
| |
Hon.
Patrick A.M. Manning
Prime Minister
DATE
OF BIRTH: 17 August 1946
MARITAL
STATUS: Married
EDUCATION:
- 1966-69:
B.Sc. (Special Hons.) Geology
PROFESSIONAL/POLITICAL
CAREER:
- 1969-71:
Geologist, Texaco Trinidad Inc., Trinidad
and Tobago
- 1971-Present:
Parliamentary Representative, San Fernando
East
- 1971-78:
Parliamentary Secretary - Portfolios held:
Petroleum and Mines; Prime Minister's Office;
Planning and Development; Industry and Commerce;
Works, Transport and Communications
- 1978-79:
Minister in Ministry of Finance (Maintenance).
- 1979-81:
Minister in Ministry of Finance (Public Sector)
and Minister in Office of the Prime Minister
(Information)
- 1981:
Minister of Information; Minister of Industry
and Commerce
- 1981-86:
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
- 1987-Present:
Political Leader, People's National Movement
- 1986-90:
Leader of the Opposition
- 1991-95:
Prime Minister
- 1995-2001:
Leader of the Opposition
- 2001
(December): Appointed Prime Minister
- 2002
(October): Elected Prime Minister
|
| Economic
Summary: |
The
petroleum sector is by far the most important
sector with an average contribution to GDP of
25% over the period 1994-1998.
During the same period, petrochemicals contributed
export earnings at 23.7%, and together with
natural gas are enjoying prime economic focus.
This
shift in emphasis away from crude oil production
is 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.
In
1998 production of these products amounted to
1.9m tonnes and 2.9m tonnes respectively, making
Trinidad and Tobago one of the world's largest
producer 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. This is a significant boost
to output in the natural gas sub-sector.
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) accounted for 9% of GDP in 1998,
while Agriculture share was 2.4% for the same
period with direct employment amounting to 8.1
% of the labour force. Sugar is the major cash
crop. Others include coffee, cocoa and citrus.
Tourism
is an important growth sector. A good blend
of cultural diversity and special interest areas
are among the features supporting this sector.
Additionally, the ability to attract large-scale
international events has been proven. The famous
annual carnival offers much potential for boosting
this sector.
|
| Airport: |
Piarco International; Crown Point International |
| Status: |
Independence - 31 August 1962
Republic - 1 March 1976 |
| Capital: |
Port-of-Spain |
| Area: |
5,182 km2 (1,980 miles2) |
| Population: |
1,290,400 (mid-1999) |
| GDP
Per Capita (at current prices): |
EC$13,629
million (1999) |
| Total
Exports: |
EC$6,308.9 million (1998) |
| Total
Imports: |
EC$8,193.1 million (1998) |
| Intra-Regional
Exports: |
EC$1,988.2
million (1998) |
| Intra-Regional
Imports: |
EC$284.1 million (1998) |
| Business
Hours: |
Commercial:
8:00-16:30 hrs Monday to Friday
Government: 8:00-12:00; 13:00-16:30
hrs Monday to Friday
|
| National
Holidays: |
New
Year's Day (01 January); Carnival (Monday and
Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday); Eid-ul-Fitr
(as decreed); Good Friday; Easter Monday; Spiritual
Baptism Liberation Shouter Day (30 March); Corpus
Christi; Indian Arrival Day (30 May); Labour
Day (19 June); Emancipation Day (01 August);
Independence Day (31 August); Republic Day (24
September); Diwali (as decreed); Christmas Day
(25 December); Boxing Day (26 December)
|
| 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 |
| Date
of CARICOM Membership: |
1 August 1973 |
| Government
web page: |
http://www.gov.tt
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