
Trinidad and Tobago
Year Founded
- Trinidad and Tobago became independent from Britain on August 31, 1962.
- It became a republic on August 1, 1976.
Past Presidents
- Ellis Clarke (1976–1987) – First President
- Noor Hassanali (1987–1997)
- Arthur N. R. Robinson (1997–2003)
- George Maxwell Richards (2003–2013)
- Anthony Carmona (2013–2018)
- Paula-Mae Weekes (2018–2023) – First female President
- Christine Kangaloo (2023–present)
Location
- Trinidad and Tobago is a Caribbean country located just off the coast of Venezuela in South America.
- It consists of two main islands: Trinidad (the larger island) and Tobago (the smaller island).
Climate
- Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round (around 25–33°C / 77–91°F).
- Two seasons: dry season (January to May) and rainy season (June to December).
- It is outside the main hurricane belt but can experience tropical storms.
Popular Personalities
- Hasely Crawford – First Olympic gold medalist (1976, 100m sprint)
- Brian Lara – Legendary cricketer and world record holder in Test cricket
- Nicki Minaj – International rapper, born in Trinidad
- Wendy Fitzwilliam – Miss Universe 1998
- Machel Montano – King of Soca music
- Keshorn Walcott – Olympic gold medalist in javelin (2012)
Sports
- Cricket – Popular due to West Indies cricket team
- Football (Soccer) – Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 2006
- Track & Field – The country has produced world-class sprinters
- Basketball & Netball – Growing in popularity
- Sailing & Rugby – Also played, especially in Tobago
Fashion
- Carnival Costumes – Vibrant, feathered, and sequined outfits worn during Trinidad Carnival
- Madras Fabric – Traditional wear used in cultural celebrations
- Local Designers – Meiling, Claudia Pegus, Anya Ayoung-Chee (Project Runway Winner)
- Streetwear & Modern Styles – Influenced by Caribbean culture and urban fashion
Food
- Doubles – Fried bara bread with curried chickpeas
- Roti – Flatbread with curried chicken, goat, or shrimp
- Pelau – Rice cooked with peas, meat, and coconut milk
- Callaloo – A soup made from dasheen leaves and coconut milk
- Bake and Shark – Fried shark in a sandwich with toppings
- Corn Soup – A creamy soup made with split peas, corn, and dumplings
- Pastelle – Christmas dish made of cornmeal, filled with meat, and wrapped in banana leaves
- Black Cake – Rum-soaked fruit cake popular during Christmas