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Trinidad
Do
you have a sister or brother that's really lively?
That's Trinidad!
When
first-time visitors come to the Caribbean, they
may expect to find a laid-back paradise of pina
coladas and poolsides. Trinidad challenges the
status quo; breaks the mold. You can chart your
own adventure with our help of course, and discover
the unexpected with a vast choice of festivals,
fun events and a host of other adrenaline-generating
activities.
Port
of Spain, our bustling capital city, is filled
with an enchanting myriad of art galleries and
restaurants. At the National Museum you can
delve into the culture of our country and its
diverse people.
If
you prefer to be more laid back and take your
time discovering our treasures, we also have
our share of quiet quality. Once part of the
South American mainland, Trinidad, with its
boot-like shape measuring 50miles (80km) by
37miles (60km), boasts an ecological and geographical
diversity unmatched in the region.
The
gorgeous, sandy beaches along our North Coast
provide the perfect atmosphere for seclusion,
rest and recreation. Dominated by densely forested
peaks, the northern interior offers excellent
hiking trails framed by canopies of lush, indigenous
rain forest, while the low, predominantly agricultural
plains of Central Trinidad strike a fascinating
contrast.
Our
East Coast is home to protected wetlands and
miles of beach frontage lined by groves of coconut
palms, known to locals as the 'Cocal'. The island's
'Industrial Capital' is a hilly, friendly base
from which to explore the island's modern oil
towns, picturesque fishing villages and calm,
deserted beaches.
Tobago
The
more serene of the siblings, Tobago is home
to the oldest protected rainforest in the Western
Hemisphere. It really is the last of the unspoilt
Caribbean. Once you behold her beauty, you will
understand why Tobago was Robinson Crusoe's
isle - and why our European settlers fought
over her ownership more than any other Caribbean
island. This strip of elongated land, just 41
by 14 kilometres, abounds with natural allure
- palm-lined beaches, lush rain forests and
pristine coral reefs teeming with rich marine
life.
Contrasts
of rolling hills against wave-beaten shores
create a stunning backdrop for the island's
unequalled beauty. The South (Windward) Coast
is washed by the dark green, wave-whipped Atlantic
and is lined with vibrant fishing villages,
while the North (Leeward) Coast provides Tobago
with some of its finest beaches.
In
the main, the eastern landscape of the interior
rises steeply into tall peaks and rolling hillocks,
providing shelter for the oldest protected forest
reserve in the Western Hemisphere. A perfect
complement to bustling Trinidad, Tobago is a
true jewel of the Caribbean Sea, whose sparkle
will live in your memory long after you have
left her shores.
Trinidad
and Tobago was "discovered" in 1498,
when the Italian explorer, Christopher Columbus,
landed on our shores. In reality, we were already
"found" and occupied by the indigenous
Amerindian tribes of the Arawaks and Caribs.
Trinidad
remained in the hands of the Spanish from the
15th Century until the British captured it in
1797 - we then became a British colony in 1802.
Tobago, by contrast, was ruled at one time or
other by a myriad of European powers, including
the Spanish, Dutch, French and British. Tobago,
too, was decreed a British colony in 1814, and
the Crown enjoined us administratively in 1889.
Trinidad and Tobago achieved independence from
England in 1962 and became the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago in 1976.
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