Trinidad

{{Short description|Largest island of Trinidad and Tobago}}
{{about|the island}}
{{Use Trinidadian English|date=August 2019}}
{{use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox islands
| name                            = Trinidad
| image_name                      = Td-map.png
| image_caption                   = Map of Trinidad and Tobago
| image_size                      =
| map                             = Lesser Antilles
| map_caption                     = Location of Trinidad in the [[Lesser Antilles]]
| label_position                  = right
| native_name_link                =  
| other_names                     =   
| nickname                        = ''Land of the Hummingbird''
| location                        = Eastern [[Caribbean]]
| coordinates                     = {{Coord|10.5|N|61.3|W|scale:1000000|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago                     =
| total_islands                   =
| major_islands                   =
| area_km2                        = 4,768 
| length_km                       =
| width_km                        =
| highest_mount                   = [[El Cerro del Aripo]]
| elevation_m                     = 940
| country                         = [[Trinidad and Tobago]]
| country_admin_divisions_title   = Island
| country_admin_divisions         = Trinidad
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = [[Regional corporations and municipalities of Trinidad and Tobago|Regions]]
| country_admin_divisions_1       = 14
| country_largest_city            = [[Chaguanas]] <!-- DO NOT CHANGE TO PORT-OF-SPAIN; Chaguanas is the largest municipality, while San Fernando is the largest municipality with "city" status -->
| country_largest_city_population = 83,516
| demonym                         = [[Trinidadians|Trinidadian]]<br />Trini
| population                      = 1,267,145<ref name=density>{{cite report |title=Trinidad and Tobago 2011 Population and Housing Census Demographic Report |url=http://www.tt.undp.org/content/dam/trinidad_tobago/docs/DemocraticGovernance/Publications/TandT_Demographic_Report_2011.pdf?download |page=26 |publisher=Trinidad and Tobago Central Statistical Office |access-date=27 May 2016}}</ref>
| population_as_of                = 2011
| density_km2                     = 266
|postal_code_type = [[Postal codes in Trinidad and Tobago|Postal code]]
|postal_code = 10xxxx – 87xxxx<ref name="List of Postal Districts Trinidad">{{cite web |url=https://1drv.ms/x/s!Ah9R_euidiIG4hXQNGbbrWQMtpIC |title=List of Postal Districts |date=July 29, 2018 |publisher=TTPOST |access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref>
| ethnic_groups                   = [[Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian|Indian]], [[Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian|African]], [[Multiracial]] {{small|(incld. [[Dougla]], [[Creole peoples|Creole]]-[[Mulatto]], and [[Cocoa panyols]])}}, [[Indigenous people of the Americas|Indigenous]], [[White Trinidadian and Tobagonian|European]], [[Chinese Trinidadian and Tobagonian|Chinese]], [[Arabs|Arab]], [[Hispanic]]/[[Latino (demonym)|Latino]]<ref name=cia>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/trinidad-and-tobago/|title=The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency |website=cia.gov|date=11 May 2022 }}</ref>
| country_capital                 = [[Port of Spain]]
| country_leader_title            = [[President of Trinidad and Tobago|President]]
| country_leader_name             = [[Christine Kangaloo]]
| country1_leader_title           = [[Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago|Prime Minister]]
| country1_leader_name            = [[Keith Rowley]]
| timezone                        = [[Atlantic Time Zone|AST]] ([[Universal Time Coordinate|UTC]] −4) (Trinidad does not observe [[Daylight saving time|DST]])
| languages                       = [[Trinidadian and Tobagonian English]] / [[Trinidadian Creole]]
{{Infobox|child=yes
| label1 = Currency | data1 = [[Trinidad and Tobago Dollar]] (TTD)
| label2                          = Religions | data2 = [[Christianity]], [[Hinduism]], [[Islam]], [[Trinidad Orisha|Orisha (Shango)]], [[Rastafari]], [[Sikhism]],  [[Bahá'í]], [[Irreligion]], [[Religion in Trinidad and Tobago|others]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cso.gov.tt/stat_publications/2011-population-and-housing-census-demographic-report/ | title=2011 Population and Housing Census Demographic Report | publisher=CSO.gov.tt | accessdate=2022-05-11}}</ref>
}}}}
[[File:Moruga - Christopher Columbus monument.jpg|thumb|[[Moruga]] – [[Christopher Columbus]] monument. Columbus landed here on his third voyage in 1498. This is on the southern coast of the island of Trinidad, West Indies]]

'''Trinidad''' is the larger and more populous of the two major islands of [[Trinidad and Tobago]]. The island lies {{convert|11|km|mi|abbr=on}} off the northeastern coast of [[Venezuela]] and sits on the [[continental shelf]] of South America. It is often referred to as the southernmost island in the [[West Indies]]. With an area of {{convert|4,768|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it is also the [[List of Caribbean islands by area|fifth largest in the West Indies]].

==Name==
The original name for the island in the [[Arawak language|Arawaks' language]] was {{lang|arw|Iëre}} which meant "Land of the Hummingbird".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://epicureandculture.com/trinidad-the-land-of-the-hummingbirds/ |title=Trinidad: The Land of the Hummingbirds |work=Epicure & Culture |date=15 May 2013 }}</ref> [[Christopher Columbus]] renamed it {{lang|es|La Isla de la Trinidad}} ('The Island of the [[Holy Trinity|Trinity]]'), fulfilling a vow he had made before setting out on his third voyage.<ref>{{cite book |title=The New Trinidad and Tobago: A Descriptive Account of the Geography and History of Trinidad and Tobago |last=Hart |first=Marie |year=1972 |orig-year=1965 |publisher=Collins |location=London and Glasgow |page=13}}</ref> This has since been shortened to ''Trinidad''. [[Indo-Trinidadian]]s called the island  चीनीदत्त {{small|([[Devanagari script]])}}, 𑂒𑂲𑂢𑂲𑂠𑂞𑂹𑂞 {{small|([[Kaithi script]])}}, {{nastaliq| چینی دت}} {{small|([[Perso-Arabic script]])}}, ''Chinidat'' or ''Chinidad'' in [[Caribbean Hindustani#Trinidadian Hindustani|Trinidadian Hindustani]] which translated to the land of sugar. The usage of the term goes back to the 19th century when recruiters from [[British Raj|India]] would call the island ''Chinidat'' as a way of luring workers into indentureship. <ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_n82hsbDJBMC&dq=chinidat&pg=PA204 |title=Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago: On Historical Principles - Lise Winer - Google Books |date=2009-01-16 |isbn=9780773576070 |accessdate=2022-08-26|last1=Winer |first1=Lise |publisher=McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP }}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Trinidad and Tobago}}
[[Island Caribs|Caribs]] and [[Arawaks]] lived in Trinidad long before [[Christopher Columbus]] encountered the islands on his third voyage on 31 July 1498. The island remained Spanish until 1797, but it was settled mostly by French colonists from the [[French Caribbean]], especially [[Martinique]].<ref name="Besson, 2000">Besson, Gerard (2000-08-27). "Land of Beginnings – A historical digest", ''Newsday Newspaper''.</ref> In 1889 the two islands became a single British [[crown colony]]. Trinidad and Tobago was granted self-governance in 1958 and independence from the [[United Kingdom]] in August 1962,<ref name="WDL">{{cite web |url = http://www.wdl.org/en/item/11332/ |title = Railroad Map of Trinidad |website = [[World Digital Library]] |date = 1925 |access-date = 2013-10-25 }}</ref> and it became a republic in September 1976.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://guardian.co.tt/opinion/45-years-a-republic-6.2.1389840.1663fd2aca|title=45 years a Republic|publisher=Trinidad & Tobago Guardian|author=|language=English|date=24 August 2021|accessdate=6 January 2022}}</ref>

==Geography==
Major landforms include the hills of the [[Northern Range|Northern]], [[Central Range, Trinidad and Tobago|Central]] and Southern Ranges (Dinah ranges), the [[Caroni Swamp|Caroni]], [[Nariva Swamp|Nariva]] and Oropouche Swamps, and the Caroni and Naparima Plains. [[List of rivers of Trinidad and Tobago|Major river systems]] include the [[Caroni River (Trinidad and Tobago)|Caroni]], North and South Oropouche and [[Ortoire River]]s. There are many other natural landforms such as beaches and waterfalls. 
Trinidad has two seasons per the calendar year: the rainy season and the dry season. [[El Cerro del Aripo]], at 940 metres (3,084&nbsp;ft), is the highest point in Trinidad. It is part of the Aripo Massif and is located in the [[Northern Range]] on the island, northeast of the town of [[Arima]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Trinidad-and-Tobago#ref516194|title=Trinidad and Tobago - People, Culture, Map, & Flag|website=britannica.com}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of Trinidad and Tobago}}

As of the 2011 Trinidad and Tobago Census, the population was 35.43% [[Indo-Trinidadian|Indian]], 34.22% [[Afro-Trinidadian|African]], 7.66% mixed African and East Indian, and 15.16% [[Multiracial|other mixed]].<ref name=density/> Venezuela has also had a great impact on Trinidad's culture, such as introducing the music style [[parang]] to the island. Many groups overlap. For example, a "[[Dougla]]" is a person of African and East Indian descent who may identify as being part of either group.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-Icr9Klvm6wC&q=french+creole|title=Race Relations in Colonial Trinidad 1870-1900|first=Bridget|last=Brereton|author-link=Bridget Brereton|date=6 June 2002|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521523134|access-date=2 August 2017|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.une.edu.au/langnet/definitions/trinidad.html|title=''Trinidad French Creole''|website=Une.edu.au|access-date=2 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328025807/http://www.une.edu.au/langnet/definitions/trinidad.html|archive-date=28 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?typ=fulltext&file=HHE2005060003129 |title=Estimates of African, European and Native American Ancestry in Afro-Caribbean Men on the Island of Tobago |first1=Iva |last1=Miljkovic-Gacica |first2=Robert E. |last2=Ferrell |first3=Alan L. |last3=Patrick |first4=Candace M. |last4=Kammerer |first5=Clareann H. |last5=Bunker |journal=Human Heredity |volume=60 |number=3 |date=2005 |pages=129–133 |doi=10.1159/000089553 |pmid=16282694 |s2cid=42174747 |access-date=2011-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713135418/http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?typ=fulltext&file=HHE2005060003129 |archive-date=2011-07-13 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Culture==

There are multiple festivals on Trinidad, featuring the music of the Caribbean and the [[steelpan]] (which originated on Trinidad and is the country's national instrument); These festivals<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g147387-s408/Trinidad-And-Tobago:Caribbean:Events.And.Festivals.html|title=Trinidad and Tobago: Events & Festivals - TripAdvisor|website=www.tripadvisor.com}}</ref> include the multi-national, [[Lent|pre-Lenten]] [[Carnival|Carnivál]], [[J'ouvert]], and [[Panorama (music competition)|Panorama]], the national steelpan competition. 

In addition to the traditional [[Christian holidays]] and official [[public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago|public]] days (such as [[Boxing Day]], [[Christmas]], [[Easter]] Sunday, [[Easter Monday]], [[Emancipation Day]], [[Good Friday]], [[Independence Day]], [[Labour Day]], [[New Year's Day]], and [[Republic Day]]) in Trinidad, the island nation also celebrates a significant percentage of its population's Indian ancestry (of both [[Hinduism|Hindu]] and [[Islam|Muslim]] backgrounds), with officially-recognised holidays such as [[Divali]], [[Eid al-Fitr]] and [[Indian Arrival Day]]. Sites of cultural or religious significance include [[Mount Saint Benedict]] and the [[Temple in the Sea]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discovertnt.com/trinidad-tobago-celebrations-festivals-2015/#axzz57gv1P2Um|title=Trinidad & Tobago celebrations & festivals - Discover Trinidad & Tobago|date=21 January 2015|website=discovertnt.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tntisland.com/festivals.html|title=Trinidad & Tobago Festival & Holidays|website=www.tntisland.com}}</ref>

==Zoology==
{{Further|Natural history of Trinidad and Tobago}}

The island of Trinidad has a rich biodiversity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/uwi-zoology-museum|title=UWI Zoology Museum - The Department of Life Sciences|website=sta.uwi.edu}}</ref> The fauna is overwhelmingly of South American origin. There are about 100 species of mammals including the [[Guyanese red howler]] monkey, the [[collared peccary]], the [[red brocket deer]], the [[ocelot]] and about 70 species of [[bat]]s.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.trinibats.com/the-bats-of-trinidad.html | title=Bats of Trinidad | publisher=TriniBats.com | access-date=2016-11-27}}</ref> There are over 400 species of birds including the endemic [[Trinidad piping-guan]]. Reptiles are well represented, with about 92 recorded species including the largest species of snake in the world, the [[green anaconda]], the [[spectacled caiman]], and one of the largest lizards in the Americas, the [[green iguana]]. Trinidad is also the largest [[leatherback turtle]] nesting site in the western hemisphere; they nest on Trinidad's eastern and northern beaches. There are 37 recorded frog species, including the tiny [[El Tucuche golden tree frog]], [[Mannophryne trinitatis|Trinidad poison frog]], and the more widespread huge [[marine toad|cane toad]].<ref>Jowers, M., & Downie, J. (2004). Distribution of the frog Mannophryne trinitatis (Anura: Dendrobatidae) in Trinidad, West Indies. ''Living World'', ''2004''.</ref> About 43 species of freshwater fish are known from Trinidad, including the well known [[guppy]]. It is estimated that there are at least 80,000 arthropods, and at least [[List of butterflies of Trinidad and Tobago|600 species of butterflies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zstt.org/|title=Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago Inc. - Official Website|website=www.zstt.org}}</ref>

The William Beebe Tropical Research Station (founded by [[William Beebe]]), also known as Simla, lies {{convert|8|km|0}} north of [[Arima]].

==Economy==
The [[economy of Trinidad and Tobago]] is diversified, based to a large extent on oil and [[natural gas]]. It is one of the leading gas-based export centers in the world, being one of the top five exporters of [[liquefied natural gas]] and the largest onshore natural gas well was recently discovered in southern Trinidad. This has allowed Trinidad to capitalize on the biggest mineral reserves within its territories. It is an [[list of countries by proven oil reserves|oil-rich country]] and stable economically.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gecf.org/countries/trinidad-and-tobago|title=Trinidad and Tobago|website=www.gecf.org}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=December 2020}}

==Geology==
[[File:Trinidad geology.jpg|thumb|right|Regional Geology of Trinidad and Venezuela<ref>Woodside, P.R., The Petroleum Geology of Trinidad and Tobago, 1981, USGS Report 81-660, Washington: US Dept. of the Interior, p. 4a.</ref>]]
The Venezuela [[Tertiary]] [[Structural basin|Basin]] is a [[Tectonic subsidence|subsidence]] basin formed between the Caribbean and South American [[Plate Tectonics|plates]], and is bounded on the north by the coast [[Mountain range|ranges]] of Venezuela and the Northern Range of Trinidad, and bounded on the south by the [[Guayana Shield]].<ref>Bane & Chanpong, p. 392.</ref>  This Guayana shield supplied fine-grained [[Clastic rock|clastic]] [[sediments]], which with the subsidence, formed a regional negative [[gravity anomaly]] and growth [[fault (geology)|fault]]s.<ref name="Bane, S.C. 1980, p. 387">Bane & Chanpong, p. 387.</ref> Oil and gas discoveries from the [[Pliocene]] Moruga [[Group (stratigraphy)|Group]] include Teak (1968), Samaan (1971), Poui (1972) and Galeota.<ref name=Woodside>Woodside, P.R., The Petroleum Geology of Trinidad and Tobago, 1981, USGS Report 81-660, Washington: US Dept. of the Interior, pp. 2 and 25</ref> These fields are mainly faulted [[anticline]] [[Structural trap|traps]] producing from depths of {{convert|1.2|to|4.2|km|abbr=on}} subsea, with Teak possessing a hydrocarbon column almost {{convert|1|km|abbr=on}} thick.<ref name="Bane, S.C. 1980, p. 387"/>

The [[Northern Range]] is an [[Upper Jurassic]]-[[Lower Cretaceous]] range of [[metamorphic]] rocks [[strike and dip|striking]] east and dipping south.  The range's southern boundary is marked by a [[fault (geology)|fault]] extending from the [[El Pilar Fault System]] in Venezuela.  South of this fault is the Northern Basin, or Caroni [[Syncline]], consisting of [[Tertiary]] [[sedimentary rock]]s [[unconformably]] overlying Jurassic and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks.  South of this basin is the Central Range, consisting of [[Upper Tertiary]] sedimentary rocks lying unconformably atop [[Lower Eocene]] and [[Paleocene]] rocks. South of this range is the [[Naparima Plain]], a [[fold and thrust belt|thrust belt]] of [[Oligocene]] and [[Lower Tertiary]] beds.  

Hydrocarbon bearing anticlines include those associated with [[Pitch Lake]], Forest Reserve, Point Fortin, Penal, Barrackpore, and Balata Fields.  The Los Bajos Fault is a [[wrench fault]], with [[Lower Pliocene]] displacement of 6.51 miles, bordered on the north by the Siparia syncline, and on the south by the Erin syncline.  Finally, the [[Southern Range]] consists of anticlinal folds, including the Rock Dome-Herrera anticline and the Moruga-West Field. East of this Rock Dome are [[en echelon]] folds containing the Lizard Springs Field.  South of these folds is another fold trend containing the Moruga-East, Guayaguayare, Beach, and Galeota Fields.  South of the Morne Diablo-Quinam Erin Field westward is a strongly folded anticline associated with shale [[diapirism]], which extends west southwestward to the Pedernales Field in southeast Venezuela.  The northeast portion of the Southern Range separates into a northern trend containing the Lizard Springs, Navette, and Mayaro Fields, while the southern trend contains the Beach Field.<ref name=Woodside/>{{rp|5–9}}

==Recreation==
Trinidad is considered one of the best places in the world to catch [[Atlantic tarpon]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Olander |first1=Doug |title=World's Best Tarpon Fishing Spots |url=https://www.sportfishingmag.com/tarpon-fishing-best-locations/ |website=sportfishingmag.com |date=29 May 2014 |publisher=Sport Fishing Magazine |access-date=21 June 2019}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Trinidad and Tobago|Caribbean|Islands}}
* [[Culture of Trinidad and Tobago]]
* [[Hinduism in Trinidad and Tobago]]
* [[Islam in Trinidad and Tobago]]
* [[Music of Trinidad and Tobago]]
* [[Religion in Trinidad and Tobago]]
* [[Trinidad and Tobago literature]]
* [[Trinidad and Tobago cuisine]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
*  Bane, S.C.; Chanpong, R.R. (1980). "Geology and Development of the Teak Oil Field, Trinidad, West Indies". in ''Giant Oil and Gas Fields of the Decade: 1968–1978''. AAPG Memoir 30. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists. {{isbn|0891813063}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|position=left|Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago|<br />Trinidad (island)}}
* {{wikivoyage-inline|Trinidad}}
* {{Wiktionary-inline|Trinidad}}
* [http://www.gotrinidadandtobago.com/ Gotrinidadandtobago.com: Trinidad and Tobago tourism website]

{{Islands of Trinidad and Tobago}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trinidad}}
[[Category:Trinidad (island)| 01]]
[[Category:Islands of Trinidad and Tobago]]
[[Category:Windward Islands]]
[[Category:Former Spanish colonies]]
[[Category:Spanish West Indies]]
[[Category:1530 establishments in the Spanish West Indies]]
[[Category:1797 disestablishments in the Spanish West Indies]]
[[Category:1797 establishments in the British Empire]]