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| OVERVIEW: Trinidad and Tobago is a developing nation in the Caribbean composed of two islands. The islands gained independence from the British in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, largely as a result of petroleum and natural gas industries. Trinidad and Tobago's people are mainly of African or East Indian descent. Virtually all speak English. Small percentages also speak Hindi, French patois, and several other dialects. Trinidad has two major folk traditions: Creole and East Indian. Creole is a mixture of African elements with Spanish, French, and English colonial culture. Trinidad's East Indian culture came to the island with indentured servants brought to fill a labor shortage created by the emancipation of the African slaves in 1833. Most remained on the land, and they still dominate the agricultural sector, but many have become prominent in business and the professions. East Indians have retained much of their own way of life, including Hindu and Muslim religious festivals and practices. (*) (Top) |
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: (May 31, 2005) A passport is required of U.S. citizens for entry to Trinidad and Tobago. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for tourism or business-related visits of 90 days or less. Work permits are required for compensated and some non-compensated employment, including missionary work. SAFETY CONCERNS: Incidents of violent crime have been on the rise on both islands. Visitors should exercise caution and good judgment, as in any large urban area, when visiting Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S. Embassy advises visitors to exercise caution when traveling from Trinidad's Piarco Airport, especially after dark, because of incidents involving armed robbers trailing arriving passengers from the airport and then accosting them outside the gates of their residences. Visitors to Trinidad and Tobago are also advised to be cautious when visiting isolated beaches or scenic overlooks where robberies can occur. TRAFFIC: In contrast to the United States and continental Europe where traffic moves on the right hand side of the road, traffic moves on the left in Trinidad and Tobago. (*) (Top) |
HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care is limited compared to that in the United States. Care at public health facilities is significantly below U.S. standards for treatment of serious injuries and illness, with limited access to supplies and medications. While care at some private facilities is better than at most public health facilities, patients may be expected to prove their ability to pay before assistance is given, even in emergency situations. Patients requiring blood transfusions are expected to arrange for at least the same amount to be donated on their behalf. OTHER ISSUES: Trinidad and Tobago is prone to occasional, moderate earthquakes; the last two, in October 2000, measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale and recently in December 2004, measuring 5.4. Trinidad has never been hit by a major hurricane, although there was recently a close call with Hurricane Ivan, and Tobago has suffered extensive damage by only two hurricanes since 1963. More recently, parts of Tobago were severely affected by flooding and mudslides from Hurricane Ivan and another major storm that followed soon thereafter.(*) (Top) |
PEOPLE (August 2004) GOVERNMENT |
GEOGRAPHY ECONOMY (2002 est.) |
(*) Information obtained from reliable public domain sources. Confirm all travel information, as documentation requirements change.