TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
A state on the northeastern coast of South America in the Caribbean Sea, located between North and South America, consisting of 2 large islands (Trinidad and Tobago) and 5 smaller ones. Total area—5.1 thousand km² (including Trinidad's territory—4.8 thousand km²). Capital - Port of Spain (over 254 thousand). Administrative-territorial division - 15 districts. Population —1.3 million (2001, estimate); primarily Trinidadians of Indo-Pakistani descent and Trinidadian Creoles; also Chinese, Europeans. 96% of the country's population lives on the island of Trinidad. Official language - English. Religion: the majority of the population are Catholics (34%); Hinduism (25%) and Islam (6%) are also practiced. Currency - Trinidad and Tobago dollar (= 100 cents).
Has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on June 6, 1974).
National holiday - August 31 - Independence Day (1962).
Trinidad and Tobago is a republic. It is part of the Commonwealth, headed by Great Britain. According to the 1976 constitution, the head of state is the president (since 2003 - D. M. Richards), elected by an electoral college from among the members of parliament for a term of 5 years. Legislative power belongs to a parliament consisting of two chambers - the Senate (31 members) and the House of Representatives (36 deputies). Deputies of the House of Representatives are elected by universal direct suffrage for a term of 5 years (the last elections were held in 2002). Senators: 9 are appointed by the president, 16 are recommended by the prime minister, 6 by the opposition leader. Executive power is exercised by the government headed by the prime minister (since 2001 - P. Manning).
The island of Tobago has self-government. The island assembly enjoys autonomy in addressing local budget issues, socio-economic development, etc.
Political parties: the ruling party - the People's National Movement (PNM) - founded in 1956, represents the interests of the small and medium bourgeoisie and enjoys support from some workers, civil servants, and intellectuals.
It is oriented towards the Afro-Trinidadian electorate (40% of the country's population). Leader - P. Manning (20 seats in the House of Representatives). The United National Congress (UNC) - established in 1989. Oriented towards the Indo-Trinidadian electorate (40% of the country's population). The leading opposition party. Leader - B. Panday (16 seats in the House of Representatives). There are also several less significant parties.
In July 1991, leaders of 32 trade union organizations in the country established the National Trade Center.
The Spanish arrived on the islands in 1498. Until the early 19th century, Trinidad and Tobago were possessions of Spain. In 1802, Trinidad, and in 1814, Tobago were ceded to Great Britain. In 1889, they were administratively united. From 1958 to 1962, Trinidad and Tobago were part of the West Indies Federation. On August 31, 1962, they gained independence within the Commonwealth, headed by Great Britain. On August 1, 1976, the islands were proclaimed a republic.
Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the UN (since 1962), OAS (since 1967), LAES (since 1975), the Caribbean Community, and participates in the Non-Aligned Movement.
Trinidad and Tobago is one of the economically developed countries in the Caribbean basin. The leading sector of the country's economy is the oil and gas industry, which accounts for over 25% of GDP. Oil production (about 8 million tons per year) and condensate. Export processing of oil from Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and other countries is carried out. The oil and gas complex provides 70% of foreign currency earnings. Trinidad and Tobago is also the largest exporter of natural asphalt and nitrogen fertilizers. It has a highly developed electrical engineering industry, shipbuilding, and automobile assembly, and is developing metallurgy and energy. The share of industry in GDP is about 47%.
The basis of agriculture is the production of sugarcane (over 100 thousand tons), cocoa, coffee, rice, citrus fruits, and coconuts. Livestock and fishing are well-developed, as well as the production of valuable timber. An important source of foreign currency earnings is foreign tourism (over 0.5 million tourists per year).
External debt - 1.4 billion USD (2003, estimate). Exports include oil and petroleum products, gas, metal products, and sugar. Imports include oil (for processing), industrial and food products, machinery, and equipment. Main trading partners: the USA, Great Britain, Caribbean Community countries, Canada, and Venezuela.
GDP per capita - about 10,500 USD (2004, estimate), unemployment - 10% of the working-age population.
The length of the road network is 8.3 thousand km. The country has 4 major seaports and 1 international airport.
Literacy rate - 96%. The University of the West Indies has a branch in Port of Spain, along with various institutes. Major daily newspapers include "Trinidad Guardian" and "Trinidad and Tobago Express" (50 thousand copies each). There are several radio stations and a television service.
