- A state in the Caribbean, located on the islands of Trinidad, Tobago and several adjacent small islands.
The name comes from the Spanish “trinidad”, which means “trinity”, since Christopher Columbus discovered the island on the day of the Trinity, and the local word “tobago”, which later came into languages \u200b\u200blike “tobacco”.
Official name: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Capital: Port of spain
The area of \u200b\u200bthe land: 5,128 thousand square meters Km
Total population: 1.2 million people
Administrative division: The state is divided into 9 counties.
Form of government: Republic.
Head of State: The president.
Composition of the population: 69% are Africans, mulattos and moles, 30% are Indo-Pakistanis, 1% are Chinese.
Official language: english, but the Indo-Aryan language Bhojpuri is quite widespread, Spanish is also used.
Religion: 32% are Catholics, 28% are Protestants (mostly Anglicans), 24% are Hindus, 6% are Muslims.
Internet domain: .tt
Mains voltage: ~ 115 V, 60 Hz
Country Phone Code: +1-868
Climate
The climate of the islands is subequatorial, hot and humid, trade wind, with weak seasonal differences. The average temperature in February is 24 ° C, September (the hottest month) - 27 ° C. The islands are located in the region of trade wind circulation of air masses, where northeast winds prevail.
The amount of precipitation largely depends on the nature of the terrain. On the windward eastern slopes of the Northern Range, more than 3,600 mm of precipitation falls annually, on the slopes of the Sierra Tobago - up to 3,800 mm, on the leeward western slopes - less than 1,500 mm. Relatively dry season occurs in January - May, relatively wet - in June - December.
From June to December, hurricanes sometimes fall on the islands. Often strong gales blow, accompanied by tropical showers of destructive force.
Geography
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is located on the islands of the same name in the southern Caribbean, near the northeastern coast of Venezuela, opposite the Orinoco Delta (the southernmost part of the Lesser Antilles group). The southern coast of Trinidad lies just 10 km from the coast of Venezuela, and the island of Tobago is located 20 km northeast of Trinidad. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe islands is 5.128 thousand square meters. km (Trinidad - 4,828 sq. km, Tobago - 300 sq. km).
Flora and fauna
Vegetable world
The vegetation of Trinidad and Tobago is very diverse compared with neighboring islands, due to its continental origin. Evergreen forests predominate, in the center of Trinidad Island and on the leeward northwestern slopes - secondary savannah and light forests. Plants are represented by both South American species and those specific to the Antilles.
More than 50 species of valuable tree species grow in the forests, including zestrel, balsa (rabbit tree), sandalwood, cypress, vanilla pompom (V. pompona Schiede). Large areas are planted with cocoa and other cultivated plants. Tobago enters the habitat of Melocactus broadwayi, other species of melanocactus are also common on the islands. A rare butterfly orchid (Oncidium papilio Ldl.) Also grows in Trinidad, which is declining due to commercial collection.
Animal world
Animals have similarities with the wildlife of South America. In Trinidad and Tobago you can find red ibis (Eudocimus ruber), which is the national bird of the republic; caimans, ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), agouti, iguanas, possums, capuchins, as well as more than 40 species of hummingbirds (hummingbirds are also depicted on the coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago).
Many species of birds nest on Tobago, such as the Caribbean swallow and the white-tailed goat. A wide variety of bats, there are representatives of the families Furipteridae (smoky bats), Natalidae (Voronkoukhi), Phyllostomidae (listonosy), Mormoopidae (podobolistnye).
Trinidad's endemic is the lizard Proctoporus shrevei, the only representative of reptiles with the property of bioluminescence. The northern mountain range of the island of Trinidad is the only place in the world where this species occurs.
Banks and Currency
Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD or TT $), equal to 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes with a face value of 100, 20, 10, 5 and 1 dollars, as well as coins with a face value of 1 dollar, 50, 25, 10, 5 cents.
US dollars also have free circulation.
From Monday to Thursday, banks are usually open from 08.00-9.30 to 14.00-17.00, on Fridays - from 09.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00. Some large banks operate on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Most of the major banking offices in the central streets of the capital of Trinidad open and close somewhat later than the rest (usually from 9.00 to 19.00) and work without interruption.
Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and some hotels, as well as at cambios or bureaus de change currency exchange points (open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Sunday), on weekends currency can be exchanged at the airport (an exchange point is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and in some institutions of tourist areas (hotels, shops, restaurants, etc.). The exchange rate at exchange offices is usually somewhat worse than at Port of Spain banks, but the conditions are different at all points. Changing currency on the street is not recommended.
Credit cards of major payment systems (Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard, American Express, etc.) are accepted for payment in almost all hotels, large restaurants and in most stores. Many retail outlets for servicing credit cards charge an additional 5% of the amount. ATMs (usually identified by TIDCO) that accept debit and credit cards can be found everywhere (in Tobago - only in Scarborough).
Travel checks can be cashed almost everywhere - in bank offices, in hotels and large stores (in many banks a certain percentage is charged for servicing checks, it is different in each institution). To avoid additional conversion costs, it is recommended to use traveller's checks in US dollars or in pounds sterling.
Useful information for tourists
Active tourism is quite well developed on the islands - windsurfing, water skiing and sailing, paragliding, snorkelling and “serious” diving, golf and tennis at numerous hotel venues and small private pensions are offered on any of the magnificent beaches of the coast.
It is forbidden to export objects of historical value, rare animals and tropical birds from the islands.
The island of Trinidad was discovered in 1498 by Columbus, who christened it La Isla de La Trinidad in honor of the Holy Trinity. The Spaniards, following in the footsteps of Columbus, enslaved the Arawak Indians inhabiting the islands at that time or resettled them in other South American colonies. But the complete lack of minerals and relatively poor soils led to the fact that the conquistadors quickly lost all interest in this land. As a result, the first European settlement on the island (Jose de Oruna, modern St. Joseph) appeared only in 1592. Over the next two centuries, the colonialists made two unsuccessful attempts to develop the island, but the tobacco and cocoa planted by them categorically did not want to grow on local soil. As a result, the Spaniards almost abandoned all attempts to develop this colony, and in 1797 the island came under the jurisdiction of the British crown. After the abolition of slavery in 1830, thousands of workers from India began to arrive on the islands, as well as immigrants from poor areas of Spain, Portugal, England, France and China, who were the main consolidators of the people known today as the Trinbagonians (Trinidadians).
sights
Surrounded by lush green hills of the North Range since 1757, the city has been the capital and main business center of the oil-rich Trinidad.
Western peninsula
To the west of the outskirts of Port of Spain begins a narrow strip of fishing villages, marinas, parks and the island's most accessible national park. Here you can see a small museum of local historyhoused in an old restored wooden building plantation River Estate, blue Bassin Waterfall (one of the most easily accessible and one of the smallest waterfalls on the island) Shaggeramas National Park (Chaguaramas, www.chagdev.com) protecting the ancient rainforest of the western tip of the North Range, Museum of Military History and Aviation (the only museum of its kind in the entire Caribbean region, open daily from 9.00 to 17.00; admission for adults - TT $ 10, for children - TT $ 7; telephone - 868 / 634-4391), amazing makerip Beachas well as excellent diving sites around the many rocky islets of Bocas or in the winding straits separating them from the coast, which locals call Bocas del Dragon ("Dragon's Mouth").
Town Chaguanas, lying south of the swampy area of \u200b\u200bCaroni, is one of the oldest settlements on the island, where immigrants from different countries of Europe settled long before the appearance of the Spanish colonists. The town got its name from the Chaguanes Indian tribe and for a long time was one of the centers for growing sugar cane. And now it is well known as a large agricultural center with excellent markets, as well as the birthplace of Nobel laureate in literature, Sir Vidyadhar Surajprasad Naipol. Here you can see Hanuman House, which inspired him for his work, as well as the most picturesque mansions of Felicite, Woodford House or the snow-white Temple of Waterloo (1947), around which lies the area known as the “Trinidad Ganges” (here, on the shore of the Gulf of Paria, ritual cremation rites according to all the canons of Hinduism).
Trinidad's north lies within ridge north rangewhere the highest peaks of the island are concentrated, including El Cerro del Aripo (940 m) and El Tucuche (936 m). A series of the best shores of Trinidad stretches along the northern coast of the region, in the mountains there are many rivers with dozens of rapids, among which the country's best waterfalls are La Laha and Sombasson, and the ridges themselves are covered with lush tropical forests inhabited by a myriad of living creatures.
The third largest city of Trinidad, Arima was founded by Capuchin monks in 1757, being one of the oldest settlements on the island. Located in the idyllic foothills of the North Range, the city has long been the country's religious center, which has passed many shocks of local history, so many old buildings and historical traditions of the colonial era have been preserved here. After laying the first railway on the island in these places, Arima's economy shifted from processing agricultural products to industries, gradually growing in factories and residential areas. But its main “trump card” is a large Native American community that has preserved almost all the traditions of its distant ancestors, but easily fits into the rhythm of modern life. Therefore, the Santa Rosa Festival (last week of August), along with the Museum of the Indians hosting the holiday at the Clear Woods Recreation Center in the west of the city, is the largest festival of cultures of pre-Columbian America on the islands of the Caribbean. It was the Indians who gave the city its name (however, in the Carib language it sounded somewhat differently - Naparima), they are the authors of the most popular local souvenirs - wicker baskets or carved ornaments from dried pumpkins.
From Arima begins guanapo road - a fantastically beautiful route through the surrounding mountains and valleys to the breathtaking Guanapo gorge and cascades of La Laha waterfalls (20 m) and Sombasson (50 m). From here the Arima-Blanchisso highway begins, passing through the ranges of the North Range, rising to the foggy peaks of low local highlands and descending to the green tunnels from the branches of mahogany, teak or cedar hanging over the canvas. 13 km north of Arima asa Wright Nature Center (www.asawright.org, 80 hectares) - Trinidad's most popular bird sanctuary. About 40 species of exotic tropical birds live here, and in dunston Cave there is the most affordable guajaro colony (Steatornis caripensis) on the planet.
The East West Corridor highway running along the southern spurs of the North Range intersects with a dozen local roads (many of them are more similar to our "primers") and goes to Mount St. Benedict Monasteri. Visible even from the central plains, monastery of St. Benedict surrounded by a white wall, due to which you can see the picturesque tiled roofs of the internal buildings. Founded in 1912 by Benedictine monks who fled from religious persecution in Brazil, it is considered the island’s most beautiful religious complex, and the nearby Caura Valley is one of the most popular outdoor destinations. The village is located east of the monastery complex Aroka, in which there is another attraction of the region - the Lopino complex, which is an old cocoa plantation (founded by the Haitian planter Comte de Lopino in 1791), the carefully restored structures of which now house a small museum dedicated to the culture of local residents.
The oldest European city and the first capital of Trinidad, the city Saint joseph considered the most colorful village in the southern part of the North Range chain. About a hundred structures of French and Spanish colonial architecture are concentrated here, but its main landmark is the impressive minaret of the Mohammed Al-Jinn Memorial mosque with a main dome crowned with a star. The strikingly beautiful Ebercrombie Street runs up the slope to Maracas Royal Road, passing in the north into the lush Maracas St. Joseph Valley Valley (the spectacular nine-meter-high Maracas waterfall 8 km from the city is the main decoration of the valley).
North coast
The northern coast of the island is one of the most popular recreation areas on Trinidad. The gently sloping capes here limit the vast horseshoe-shaped bay of Las Cuevas, providing protection against wind and sea surf. On both sides of it stretch slightly smaller bays, also excellently suitable for relaxing by the sea, and the adjacent coast is full of various natural and cultural monuments.
The main attractions of this region are considered isolated one Sousand Steps Beachbeautiful waterfalls rincon and Angel plus going to them through the green bushes rincon trail. The final point of the road is a colorful village Blanchisso (Blanchers) with nearby three Pulls, lagoon of the marianne river, the beach of paria and avocat Falls.
The wild shores north of Blanchisso with reserve Matelot, a beautiful and secluded peninsula with a lowly name North east, quiet city Valencia and "one-street city" - Maturanumerous tortoise beaches between Matura and the tiny village of Salibia, rio Seco Falls on the river of the same name (often this eight-meter cascade is simply called Salibia-Waterfall).
The largest city in the region is Toko, known by the People's Museum.
Tourists also visit lighthouse on the easternmost point of the island - Galera Pointrock Phishing rock, near which the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic collide (the rock has its own tragic history - it was from its peak in 1699 that the last Indians jumped into swirling whirlpools who did not want to surrender to the colonialists). Can visit aripo Caveslush a tropical forest near Hollis Reservoir, Kokal and Mayaro, one of the most attractive villages on the coast - Grand riviera (the only settlement in the region with a developed tourism infrastructure), ecological grand Riviere Wildlife Refuge (leather turtles lay eggs on the beach adjacent to the village), as well as the village Sanssouciconsidered the best place on the island for surfing.
South of Sangre grande - the largest city in the east of the island, stretches the coast Kokal - A 24-kilometer strip of almost untouched coast with small groves of coconut palms. The air here literally rings from the voices of parrots and other birds, and the pristine Manzanilla beach and the protected marshy area of \u200b\u200bNariva attract ecotourism lovers here.
In the northwestern part of the Trinidad coast, just 40 minutes drive from the capital, the island’s most popular beach area - the bay Maracas Bay. Almost 1850-meter long arc of beautiful cream sand is framed by palm groves and various tourist sites, limited to the west by the village of Maracas Bay Village, and from the east by the fishing village of Ankle Sam. The recreation infrastructure is well developed here (not surprising, given the popularity of the bay among the residents of the capital), so sometimes it is quite crowded. However, just to the east begins a quieter Tayrico bay, more suitable for families with children, and even further the good shores of Las Cuevas stretch (only 8 km to the east).
South of the island
Geographically, the southern part of Trinidad is almost a mirror image of the north - in contrast to it there is only one mountain range - overgrown with dry forests of the South Range, continuing in the form of a long and narrow peninsula that extends towards Venezuela. Apart from the second largest city in the country - San Fernando, the region is the most rarely populated area of \u200b\u200bthe island. Although many southern residents still earn their living in agriculture, the region’s economy is based on oil refining industries. But strangely enough, this did not have a negative impact on the ecology of the region, and the vast expanses of the forest remain largely untouched by human activities. Tourists rarely visit the southern regions, therefore, the tourism infrastructure is relatively poorly developed, and the transport system is rather limited (especially on the southern coast itself). However, it is here that such amazing areas are located as Lake Pitch Lake, the picturesque areas of Cedros and Erin, as well as the magnificent beach area of \u200b\u200bMayaro on the southeast coast. This part of Trinidad is best visited during the dry season (December-May), since from June to November many open shores suffer from the abundance of garbage brought by the currents and the Orinoco River.
The second largest city of the island and the main commercial center of the southern regions of Trinidad, is located in the most northwestern part of the region, in the southern part of the Gulf of Paria.
One of Trinidad's amazing natural phenomena - Lake Pitch Lake - is located near the town of La Brie, 25 km southwest of San Fernando. The uniqueness of this place lies in the fact that under the influence of tectonic factors, the oil-bearing layers communicate through several underground faults with the vent of an ancient volcano, and their “contents” turn under the influence of temperature and pressure into first-class asphalt (there are only two such objects around the world - La Bree Ranch in Los Angeles (USA) and Venezuelan Guanaco asphalt pool). The asphalt extracted from the lake is used to build the world's best roads, and he also laid out the Pall Mall Alley leading to Buckingham Palace in London. And this natural phenomenon with a total area of \u200b\u200b36.4 hectares, where in the natural environment you can observe the formation and development of asphalt, attracts thousands of guests here.
23 km southwest of San Fernando, on the north coast of an extended peninsula, is a town Point Fotinknown since 1783. This is the country's most fashionable village, completely dependent on the oil business, as well as the country's most business region - since the geologist Arthur Bibi-Thompson discovered oil reservoirs in the Guayaguayare region in 1906, this is where this profitable business began to develop.
In the southeast of the region’s oil-bearing regions, in the low spurs of the South Range, pristine forests lie nature reserves Cedros and Erin, plus an almost 14-kilometer beach area Mayarowhose discovery for the tourism industry is just beginning.
Beach vacation
Trinidad is not rich on the magnificent beaches and kilometers of white sands, but here you can find almost any sea zone suitable for certain conditions. The main beach areas of the island usually include the bays of Maracas Bay, Las Cuevas, Blanchisso, Grand Riviere and Toko Bay north of Port of Spain; the beaches of Karenazh Bay, Makeree Beach and Scottland Bay on the northwest coast; the bays of Balandra and Salibia in the northeast and Manzanilla and Mayaro in the southern part of the island. A large number of hotels and resorts of all levels are concentrated in beach areas, and numerous sea clubs and sports centers offer all the conditions for recreation. Excellent snorkelling spots can be found near Chacacacare and the island of Sut d'O.
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| Trinidad | |
|---|---|
| English Trinidad | |
Trinidad island on the map |
|
| Characteristics | |
| Area | 4821 km² |
| Highest point | 940 m |
| Population | 1,267,145 people (2011) |
| Population density | 262.84 people / km² |
| Location | |
| 10 ° 25 ′ s. w. 61 ° 21 ′ W d. | |
| Archipelago | Lesser Antilles |
| Water area | The Caribbean |
| Country | |
| Wikimedia Commons Media Files | |
Trinidad (Spanish Trinidad - “Trinity”) - an island in the Caribbean Sea off the northeastern shores, is the main part of the state, 96% of the country's population live on it.
Geography
Map of Trinidad Island
Located 11 km from the north-east coast. The area of \u200b\u200bthe island is 4821 km². Located between 10 ° 03 ′ N 60 ° 55 ′ W and 10 ° 50 ′ N 61 ° 55 ′ W The island is 80 km long and 59 km wide.
Island of mainland origin; separated from the mainland by the Bocas del Dragon Strait, the Gulf of Paria and the Boca de la Sierpe Strait. The shores are poorly divided, framed by coral reefs in the north, and mangroves in the south. Trinidad is dominated by a lowland plain, boggy in the east, with two parallel ridges up to 300 m high. In the north, a mountain range up to 940 m high (Aripo) is a continuation of the Coastal Cordillera of Venezuela. Along the south coast are mud volcanoes. Deposits of natural asphalt (Lake Peach Lake, etc.), oil (offshore in the southwest and southeast) and natural gas.
Climate
The climate is subequatorial, hot and humid; Two seasons stand out: dry (from January to May) and rainy. The average annual temperature is 25-27 ° C, precipitation from 1200 mm per year in the west to 3800 mm in the windward (relative to the trade winds) northeast.
Flora and fauna
Evergreen forests predominate, in the center of the island and on the leeward northwestern slopes, secondary savannah and light forests, coconut palms, cocoa plantations. Over 40 species of hummingbird.
Story
The island of Trinidad was discovered in 1498 by Columbus, who christened it La Isla de La Trinidad in honor of the Holy Trinity. The Spaniards following Christopher Columbus enslaved the Arawak Indians inhabiting the islands at that time or resettled them in other South American colonies. But the complete lack of minerals and relatively poor soils led to the fact that the conquistadors quickly lost all interest in this land. As a result, the first European settlement on the island (Jose de Orunya, modern St. Joseph) appeared only in 1592. Over the next two centuries, the colonialists made two unsuccessful attempts to develop the island, but the tobacco and cocoa planted by them did not grow on local soil. As a result, the Spaniards almost abandoned all attempts to develop this colony, and in 1797 the island came under the jurisdiction of the British crown. After the abolition of slavery in 1830, thousands of workers from as well as immigrants from poor areas and China began to arrive on the islands, being the main consolidators of the people known today as Trinbagonians (Trinidadians).
Population
The population of 2011 is 1,267,145 people. The largest cities are, (the capital), Arima, St. Joseph (the first capital of Trinidad), etc.
Economy
The basis of the economy is the extraction and processing of oil (domestic and imported), as well as tourism. Chemistry and petrochemistry have transformed the west coast of Trinidad into one of the industrial zones of the West Indies.
The island has an international airport.
The island of Trinidad is described in the novel Robinson Crusoe as the "mainland."
Culture
In November, a major jazz festival is held in Trinidad.
Literature
- Belarusian encyclopedia: At 18 t. T. 15: Next - Tray / Redkal: G.P. Pashkoў іnsh. - Mn .: BelEn, 2002. - T. 15. - S. 549. - 552 p. - 10,000 copies. - ISBN 985-11-0251-2 (T. 15). (belor.)
Notes
-
Trinidad and Tobago 2011 Population and Housing Census Demographic Report
, Trinidad and Tobago Central Statistical Office, p. 26 ,
References
- Trinidad (island) - article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia.
- Trinidad and Tobago
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, located on the border between the Atlantic and the Caribbean, near Venezuela, combines two large islands of the same name and many small ones.
This article will tell about this amazing country, its geographical location, amazing nature, climate and attractions.
Trinidad Island: Geography
Being part of the Antilles archipelago, Trinadat and Tobago occupy part of the continental shelf of South America and are separated from the mainland only by straits that have traditionally exotic names - Boca del Serpiente and Boca del Dragon. The area of \u200b\u200bTrinidad - a very solid and largest in the archipelago (length 80 and a width of 59 km) - is 4768 km 2. The island, a neighbor of Trinidad, located at a 30-kilometer distance, Tobago is the owner of significantly smaller sizes. It occupies about 300 km 2, its length is 41 km, and its width is 12 km.
The prevailing relief of Trinidad is the plain. It has three mountain ranges, two of which are located in clear parallel to each other, and the third is a continuation of the Venezuelan Cordillera. Two rivers crossing the island of Trinidad flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
Tobago crosses a 30-km ridge, on both sides of which are fertile lowlands and forests. Many small rivers and streams on the island contribute to the lush development of vegetation.
Climate
Climatic conditions on the islands are characteristic of these humid subequatorial latitudes and have a clear distinction between dry and rainy seasons. The dry season, which lasts from January to May, is rather mild, because it does not differ in sweltering heat - it is largely neutralized by tropical trade winds.
From June to August, the rainy season lasts. This is a period of visiting the islands with tropical showers, plentiful and protracted. The best time for a tourist trip to Trinidad is February and March, months that are bright, warm and full of unforgettable events and entertainment. Trinidad and Tobago, whose resorts are waiting for tourists, are most attractive at this time.
Nature of the islands
Striking a riot of colors, evergreen forests are very carefully protected by the state - on such a small territory on a planetary scale, there are many reserves. Tobago is a unique island, famous for its excellent views of the coast, long narrow beaches with white sand and mighty palm trees. Back in the eighteenth century, the Tobago authorities declared the island's rainforests a conservation area - the first precedent of its kind. Buccoo Reef reef with picturesque harbors, amazing fish and corals has been protected by the state since 1973.
The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are distinguished by an amazing variety of flora, including not only South American species, but also exclusively on the archipelago. In the northern part of Trinidad, rainfall has survived where it grows to fifty species of valuable tree species. The center and western regions are occupied by evergreen forests. Sandalwood, bush and cypress are typical representatives of island forests. In the lowlands and foothills of these areas, savannahs and cultivated plantations extend, where coconut and oilseeds are grown for export. Thickets with intricately interwoven trunks and roots are found along the coast at river mouths.
The fauna is extremely diverse: there are howler monkeys and capuchins, representatives of marsupials (possums), rodents (agouti), predators (ocelots), bats and reptiles - turtles, alligators, lizards, snakes. Numerous feathered colonies with bright multi-colored southern plumage.
Hummingbirds alone have over 40 varieties. The waters of the islands abound in fish.
Bosom
The island of Trinidad is rich in minerals: oil deposits and reserves of the gas accompanying it are found in the southern part and on the shelf, natural asphalt is mined to the west, sulfur and diorites are extracted in the north, the Sangre Grande region is famous for deposits of lignite and brown coal. Iron ore, gypsum and limestone are mined in the north of the island.
Tourism
Today the island of Trinidad is a popular center for eco-tourism. Vacationers have at their disposal a set of all types of beach vacations, the opportunity to go in for water sports, diving, horse riding, yachting, etc. The Calypso Music Festival is held annually here, traditionally gathering a huge audience of fans. Trinidad Island, Brazil are home to this exciting show.
The markets on the islands are crowded with handicrafts. Here, bamboo crafts and paintings by islanders are in demand. Trade flourishes in huge supermarkets and street stalls, where, however, unlike boutiques, you can successfully bargain.
Kitchen
In addition, tourists are always interested in local cuisine, which is a mixture of oriental, Caribbean, Spanish and Chinese. The variety of ethnic types of cooking gives rise to unlimited possibilities - you can taste any, the most exotic dish. The recently created "New Caribbean" tendency to add local colorful elements to gourmet dishes makes it possible to fully experience the culinary features. Visits to small home restaurants specializing in catering to foreign tourists will help to complete the picture. In the reviews of vacationers on the islands, it is these small catering points that are safe, comfortable, with an unforgettable cuisine. Trinidad’s specialty is charcoal and sugar balls rolled in sesame seeds.
Entertainment industry
Trinidad and Tobago is not only the intersection of culinary traditions of many countries, but also a whole universe of sights that delivers tourists an indescribable experience that will remain in your memory for a long time: picturesque nature, walking along the hills, sea voyages, pristine beaches, amazing colors and rhythms of the annual Calypso carnival!
To participate in it, the islanders make original drums from empty iron barrels. Calypso musical compositions, extracted from the drums by rhythmic beats, have long been recognized as a symbol of carnival and the island itself. This kind of local folklore is a small witty musical opus, performed in the African style, saturated with local dialectic expressions. An approximate analogy is observed in many countries of the world - ditties in Russia or couplets of the times of the French Front.
The carnival - rampant and noisy - is held shortly before Lent. This is the most incredible procession for which Trinidad and Tobago are famous. The islands, Brazil and others organize such holidays every year.
The islanders begin preparations for the carnival with the advent of the New Year - come up with costumes, create drums. The most amazing action takes place in the Royal Park of the capital. In contrast to the vast majority of world carnival processions, on the islands from the first moments the border between spectators and participants ceases to exist. No one is left behind, the mulatto mermaids draw tourists into their ranks and everyone dances to the rhythms of "steel" music.
Holidays on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago
Resorts on the islands are famous for their clean, gorgeous beaches, such as Maracas Bay, Tyrico Bay or Las Cuelvas. The most populated and most famous Russian tourists are the western part of the coast overlooking the Gulf of Paria. Here are the capital and main ports.
There is something to admire in the capital of the Republic of Port of Spain: the residence of the Ginderbrad House, the Magnificent Seven Park, the national museum, art gallery, the Trinidad and Tobago Historical Museum, the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Remarkable architecture is dominated by wooden houses with a unique carved gallery running along the second floor of the buildings. Most of the buildings, public and private, were built at the beginning of the 19th century in the classicist style that prevailed in those days.
The Asa Wright Natural Complex, a former coconut plantation turned into a wildlife preserve, gives tropical bird lovers a real treat. And in the Karoni reserve, located near the capital, you can observe the life of a loaf - a representative of the ibis family, which is one of the symbols of the republic. Trinidad Island is also famous for many more attractions. A visit to this amazing place will leave a lot of unforgettable impressions.
Trinidad is the largest island of the state of Trinidad and Tobago. People often come to this small country in the Caribbean to relax on a white sandy beach and see exotic nature reserves with their own eyes.
Christopher Columbus was the first among Europeans to discover this island in 1498. The Spaniards quickly enslaved Aboriginal Indians, but they could not figure out what to do next - cocoa and tobacco did not grow on local soil. Three centuries later, the colony passed to Britain; since 1830, thousands of workers from all over the world began to come here to earn money from India, France, China, and Portugal. Since then, people of various nationalities have lived side by side in Trinidad, and local attractions are a mixture of many cultural traditions.
How to get to Trinidad
The only way to get to Trinidad is by plane. From Russia to the state capital, Port of Spain, you can fly only with a transfer. The most convenient connection is offered by British Airlines: 4 hours from Moscow to London, 4 hours in the UK capital and 11 hours to Port of Spain.
When flying through London, you must pre-arrange a British transit visa: you will have to move from one airport to another, and therefore leave the sterile area.
A flight through Amsterdam or Frankfurt will take longer - from 17 hours excluding connections. In Amsterdam, you can spend the night at the airport or hotel with a Schengen visa.
Search for flights to Port of Spain (nearest airport to Trinidad)
Hotels
The tourist infrastructure on the island is well developed, this also applies to hotels. At the same time, accommodation prices for this level of service are quite affordable. Trinidad hotels are usually large resort complexes with a full range of services: swimming pools, children's and sports grounds, private beaches and a buffet. For thrifty tourists there are hotels of the European type "bed and breakfast", usually they are located at some distance from the beaches. In Port of Spain, you can stay in hotels of large international chains - Hilton, Hyatt, Holiday Inn, etc.
A night in a five-star hotel in Trinidad costs on average from 1000 TTD per night for a double room, 4 * - 400-675 TTD per night, approximately the same amount will cost a room in a good "three rubles" (but you can find cheaper - from 270 TTD). In terms of service level, there is practically no difference between 3 * and 4 * hotels. Prices on the page are for October 2018.
Trinidad beaches
For a beach holiday, the northern coast of Trinidad is ideally suited, as if separated by a high mountain range. All beaches have white sand and a gentle entrance to the sea. Almost all of them are free, but some are owned and fenced. You will have to pay a small amount for renting a sunbed and umbrella - like on European beaches or less).
The most famous beaches on the island are Tyrico Bay and Las Cuelvas, it is very calm there. But on the longest beach on the coast of Maracas Bay there are many entertainment centers, bars and beach discos.
The best photos of Trinidad
Attractions and attractions of Trinidad
The main attraction of the island is its unusual nature. First of all, it is the swampy reserve "Karoni Bird" near Port of Spain, where a unique bird is found - the scarlet lapwing, a symbol of Trinidad. Another reserve is Asa Wright, a former coconut plantation in the north of Trinidad, home to many exotic birds, butterflies and reptiles.
In the south-west of the island, not far from the village of La Brea, Lake Peach Lake is located, filled not with water but with liquid asphalt. Europeans learned about this unusual substance at the end of the 16th century, and at the end of the 19th century, an American businessman bought out a temporary monopoly on the right to use the lake. It was from here that they took the material for the first asphalt roads of New York, Washington and other eastern cities of the United States.
Peach Lake is the world's largest natural asphalt field.
In the capital, it is worth visiting the royal park “Savannah” - this is a city park where locals and tourists gather to watch street theater performances, walk along the alleys and shops, and sit in the cafe. Across the street from it is the Zoo of the Imperial Valley, named so after not just any ruler, but a special type of morph butterfly - imperial (official website in English). A popular place for walking is Brian Lara Boulevard (Brian Lara promenade), they make appointments and come to listen to concerts in open areas.
In Trinidad
Weather
There is practically no difference between the seasons on the island. The average air temperature is +25 ... + 29 ° С all year round. It rains here from April to November (the rainiest time is from May to September), and in December, sunny and hot weather sets in, which remains until the end of March. Humidity is always high, so it is better to spend time on the coast - it is easier to tolerate heat there.