A visit to Trinidad today would reveal a multicultural melting pot stirred by the descendants of settlers from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East. But in 1498, when explorer Christopher Columbus set foot on Trinidad,
things were very different.
Arawak and Carib Indians prospered here on the island the Amerindians called Ieri, land of the Humming Bird, until Columbus spotted the island he named for the Holy Trinity. When the Spaniards discovered no precious metals on Trinidad, the Amerindians were enslaved and shipped off to work on other Caribbean settlements.
Nearly a century would pass before Spain established Trinidad's first European community, San Jose de Oruna (St Joseph), which was sacked and burnt by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595. Sir Walter Raleigh was also said to have discovered the Pitch Lake, from which he used material to caulk his leaking ship.
Trinidad remained a Spanish possession from the 15th Century and the Cedula of Population in 1783, allowed French planters and their slaves to emigrate from the French colonies to the island. The British would capture Trinidad in 1797 and negotiate an amicable treaty of rule with the Spanish.
In the following years, enslaved Africans were brought in to work on sugar plantations and in 1802, the island became a British colony. After slavery was abolished by Britain, landowners imported thousands of indentured labourers from India, China and the Middle East.
In 1889, Britain joined the smaller Tobago to Trinidad as an administrative ward. The islands achieved independence from England in 1962 and became the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 1976.
WHY VISIT TRINIDAD
ADVENTURE
There is an adventure for every day of the week, from hiking through rain forests on the trail of hidden waterfalls and exploring deep caves, to cycling through verdant countryside, turtle watching and kayaking past wildlife filled forests.
BIODIVERSITY
For eco enthusiasts, Trinidad has more than 450 bird species, 108 types of mammals, 55 reptiles, 25 amphibians and 620 types of butterflies; ranking the island as one of the richest outposts of biodiversity in the Caribbean. It's South America in a Caribbean Island.
BIRD WATCHING
Trinidad is home to some of the most diverse and spectacular bird life in the Caribbean. This variety can be attributed to the island's location on the tip of South America. Home to the Asa Wright Nature Centre, a world renowned centre for bird watching, Trinidad's size and accessibility to popular sites, ensures many species can be seen without long drives or treks.
BUSINESS
Robust energy and manufacturing sectors have contributed to Trinidad's reputation as a hub of economic activity, investment and leisure in the Caribbean. Though small, the island has hosted several high profile international events, including the 2007 Cricket World Cup. In addition more than 150 international companies, including British Gas, Citibank and Unilever had established bases of operation on our shores.
CARNIVAL
Many countries in the world boast of Carnival celebrations, but none quite so stunning and all embracing as Trinidad's national festival. Whether you decide to be a spectator on the sidelines, douse yourself in chocolate and join the J'Ouvert revelry or don a fabulous costume and dance the day away, our Carnival is an unforgettable experience.
CULTURE
The diversity of our people is also reflected in the islands' numerous festivals. Each individual culture is celebrated by the collective peoples that inhabit these islands. In Trinidad and Tobago, we celebrate the Hindu festival of Divali, the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr and numerous Christian festivals, including Christmas.
FISHING
With an abundance of game fish, Trinidad is a sport angler's dream.
Fed by the rich outflow of the Orinoco River, Trinidad's waters attract big game fish. Species such as Tarpon, Tuna and Shark are plentiful year round with Sailfish, Marlin, Wahoo and Dolphin making seasonal appearances. Trinidad also plays host to several exciting international fishing tournaments, including the Kingfish Tournament in June, Tarpon Bash in August and Wahoo Tournament in early March.
SHOPPING
Bargains abound in Trinidad. You can shop just about anywhere on the island, from towns boasting hundreds of small variety shops and family-run businesses to large multi-level shopping malls. Trinidad's capital, Port of Spain, is also known for its fabric merchants and their vast inventory of textiles for all occasions.
MEETINGS, CONVENTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS
Host nation for the upcoming Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference in May 2008, Trinidad has a successful track record for hosting regional and international meetings and conferences. As a destination for meetings, Trinidad will add an additional 47,000 square ft to available function space when the 428 room Hyatt Regency Trinidad Hotel and Conference Centre opens in January 2008.
RESTAURANT AND BAR HOPPING
Our reputation for sumptuous, mouth-watering culinary fare is a legacy of Trinidad's cultural and ethnic diversity. The flavours of the India, Africa, China, Syria and Europe have combined to create a distinct taste that is all our own. Restaurants and bars, from white linen service to street stalls, are found in every corner of Trinidad and food festivals are growing in popularity.
STEELPAN
The steelpan is Trinidad and Tobago's national instrument. During the Carnival season, music lovers crowd the "yards" of their favourite bands as they practice in preparation for Panorama, the annual competition for steel pan bands. These sessions are free, open to the public, and can stretch into the wee hours of the morning. Outside of the Carnival season, music lovers can look forward to the Laventille Steelband Festival, a street parade, and Pan Yard Sensations, a series of steelpan concerts hosted by the Tourism Development Company Limited.
TOBAGO - POINTS OF INTEREST
Named for the tobacco cultivated by the original Carib population, Tobago existed separately from Trinidad for centuries. While the explorer Christopher Columbus sighted the island in 1498, he did not land and no attempts were made to colonize Tobago.
But long before European powers expressed interest in the island's strategic harbour and fertile soil, it was the centre of battles for control between the Carib population and other Amerindian tribes.
Later, in the 17th century, English, French, Dutch and even Courlanders (Latvians) fought to control the strategic island and it changed hands more than 30 times.
During British rule in the late 1600s, sugar, cotton and indigo plantations were established and thousands of Africans were brought to Tobago as slave labour. In 1781 the French invaded, but by 1814 the island was ceded to Britain.
In 1889, during a period of economic decline, Britain annexed the smaller Tobago to Trinidad as an administrative ward. The islands achieved independence from England in 1962 and became the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 1976.
The base of Tobago's early economy was agriculture, but this was ravaged by severe hurricanes in 1847 and 1963.
Today the island is serene, yet the many forts and batteries that dot Tobago's landscape hint at a thrilling past.
Fierce slave revolts, bitter battles for control between European powers, attacks on European settlers by the Amerindian Indians who inhabited the island and pirates are all part of Tobago's rich history.
In 1629 an expedition of Dutchmen established a settlement which was annihilated by disease and the Amerindians. More settlers were sent in 1632 but an attack by the Spaniards four years later drove them out.
English Puritans also attempted to settle in Tobago, but many were killed by the Amerindians and the survivors driven out.
A PREMIERE ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION
Tobago has won several prestigious eco awards including the World Travel Awards "Best Eco Destination in the World" and the Caribbean Travel Awards Committee "#1 Eco-Destination in the Caribbean".
BIRD WATCHING
Tobago has over 200 bird species on just 116 square miles of land. The island has several great vantage points for bird watching including the Grafton Caledonia Wildlife Sanctuary, the Main Ridge Forest Reserve and Little Tobago Island, a small offshore island located just off the village of Speyside.
BIODIVERSITY
Tobago is home to over 6000 species of plants and animals, including one of the highest densities of bird species in the world, on just 116 square miles of land.
CARNIVAL IN SEPTEMBER OR TOBAGO FEST
A recent addition to Tobago's social calendar, Tobago Fest is a Carnival style celebration featuring many of the elements of the Trinidad and Tobago's world famous Carnival.
DIVE
Tobago is surrounded by rich and colourful reefs with 300 species of South Atlantic coral and more than 600 species of fish. The island is also internationally recognised for its drift dives. Tobago is also home to the Nylon Pool, a warm shallow area in the middle of the Buccoo Reef.
VILLAS
Tobago boasts a great variety of luxury rental villas to suit every taste and budget.
From traditional Caribbean gingerbread homes with delicate fretwork, to new properties built to provide every comfort and luxury, Tobago's holiday rental villas are available on every point of the island.
GOLF
Tobago's two championship 18 hole golf courses are scenic beauties that can captivate with their views while challenging your golfing ability. The Mount Irvine Golf Course has long fairways lined with coconut trees and provides glimpses of an azure sea. The Tobago Plantations Golf Course combines lakes, trees and beaches to provide golf in a setting of tranquil natural beauty. Both clubs rent equipment and offer professional coaching.
FASCINATING CULTURE
Tobago's rich culture is as diverse as the many countries that fought to control the island. The heritage of the enslaved Africans has also heavily influenced the island's culture. Many of the folktales, superstitions, art, music and traditional dances reflect the island's European and African roots. These are celebrated annually during the Tobago Heritage Festival, which runs from early July to August. Fishing, the mainstay of many of the island's inhabitants, is celebrated with parties, sports and other events on St Peter's Day.
GOAT AND CRAB RACING
The village of Buccoo, Tobago, can be described as the goat and crab racing capital of the world. During the Easter holidays this little village draws crowds of curious onlookers as specially trained goats sprint towards the finish line followed by jockeys clutching long ropes. In the crab race, jockeys have no easier task as they attempt to prod the stubborn crustaceans towards the finish line. But there is no glory for the winning crabs, just a place in a pot of spicy curry sauce.
RICH HISTORY
Fought over by the Spanish, British, Dutch, Courlanders, French and even the Americans, Tobago boasts a rich and varied history. The various forts and historical sites that dot the island are testament to the island's former colonial masters and diverse history.
THE OLDEST PROTECTED RAINFOREST IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Protected by law since 1776, Tobago's Main Ridge Forest Reserve is spread over the island's mountainous spine. Nature trails will allow you to explore the forest's diverse flora and fauna.
UNSPOILED AND SECLUDED BEACHES
Tobago has many beautiful beaches; some are very secluded others are equipped with life guards, concessionaires and modern facilities. Some beaches boast white sands, shallow bays and calm blue waters, others have shallow reefs for snorkelling and some are more exposed to ocean swells.
