Geography:

• Location:
  • Republic within the Commonwealth Of Nations, comprising the southernmost of the Caribbean islands, namely, Trinidad And Tobago and adjacent islets situated off the coast of Venezuela. Trinidad is situated north of and opposite the mouth of the Orinoco River and is separated from the South American coast by the Gulf Of Paria.
• Area:
  • Total: 5,128 sq km
  • Land: 5,128 sq km
  • Water: 0 sq km
• Coastline:
  • 362 km
• Maritime Claims:
  • Measured From Claimed Archipelagic Baselines
  • Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 NM
  • Territorial Sea: 12 NM
  • Continental Shelf: 200 NM or to the outer edge of the continental margin
  • Contiguous Zone: 24 NM
• Natural Resources:
  • Petroleum, natural gas, asphalt

People:

• Population: 1,104,209 (July 2003 est.)
• Nationality:
  • noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)
  • adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian
• Ethnic groups: black 39.5%, East Indian (a local term - primarily immigrants from northern India) 40.3%, mixed 18.4%, white 0.6%, Chinese and other 1.2%
• Religions: Roman Catholic 29.4%, Hindu 23.8%, Anglican 10.9%, Muslim 5.8%, Presbyterian 3.4%, other 26.7%
• Languages: English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese

Government:

• Country name:
  • conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
  • conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago
• Government type: parliamentary democracy
• Capital: Port-of-Spain
• Administrative divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria
• International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Economy:

• Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2002 est.)
• Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles
• Agriculture - products: cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry
• Exports: $4.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
• Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers
• Imports: $3.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
• Imports - commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals
• Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)

National Policy:

• Marine Affairs Policy
  
  No formal national policy has been enunciated in respect of the management and jurisdiction over Trinidad and Tobago’s marine resources. However, the following laws, among others, contained in the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago (1980), implicitly demonstrate policy. Continental Shelf Act Ch. 1:52.Oil Pollution of Territorial Waters Act Ch. 37:03. Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Ch. 37-02. Archipelagic waters and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1986, declares Trinidad and Tobago an archipelagic state and defines the nature and extent of jurisdiction to be exercised by Trinidad and Tobago in its EEZ and to matters connected therewith among others, e.g. protection and preservation of the marine environment, and the prevention, reduction and control of that environment; marine scientific research within the EEZ; exploration and exploitation of the EEZ for the production of energy from waters, currents and winds; licensing of the master and crew of a foreign fishing craft, fishing craft and equipment; determination of the species which may be caught; regulating seasons and areas of fishing. (Trinidad & Tobago, Marine Science Country Profile System, created by IOC).

• Marine Science & Research Policy
  
  There is no official written policy or plan for marine science and technology approved by the Government of Trinidad & Tobago. However, the Institute of Marine Affairs, as the principal marine and environmental research organization in the country, develops and implements planned work programs and activities in accordance with national objectives and priorities (after the National Structure For Marine Science And Technology Management).

• Coastal Area Policy
  
  In the planning stages.

• Environment Policy
  
  National Environmental Policy (1998)
  
  Aimed at providing a rational, practical comprehensive framework for environmental management in Trinidad and Tobago which recognizes the interdependence of all forms of life, the need to use knowledge, resources and skills effectively and the need for incentives and opportunities for effective co-operation at all levels. The policy is broad based and therefore applies to all sectors and areas of activity by providing general guidelines for the conceptualization and development of plans, programmes and projects of any scale within Trinidad and Tobago. It is based on the premise that anticipatory environmental protection must be integrated into decision making.

Institutional Structure:

Environmental Management Authority

8 Elizabeth Street, St Clair

Telephone. (868) 628-8042 / 8044

Fax: (868) 628 -9122

Fisheries Division

Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources

Telephone: (868) 622-1221/ 5

Hydrographic Unit, Land and Surveys Division

Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources

2B Richmond Street, Port of Spain

Telephone: (868) 625-3013

Inter-ministerial Committee on the Law of the Sea

" Knowsley" Queen´s Park West, Port of Spain

Telephone: (868) 623-4116/20

Fax: (868) 627-0571

Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries

Riverside Plaza, Besson Street, Port of Spain

Telephone: (868) 623-2200

Fax: (868) 623-2726

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

" Knowsley" Queen´s Park West, Port of Spain

Telephone: (868) 623-4116/20

Fax: (868) 627-0571

Trinidad and Tobago Port Authority

4 Dock Road Port of Spain

Telephone: (868) 623-5685 / 5879

Town and Country Planning Division

Ministry of Planning and Development

Eric Williams Financial Complex

Level 14 Eric Williams Plaza, Port of Spain

Telephone: (868) 627-9700

NATIONAL FOCAL POINT FOR IOCARIBE:

Dr. Donna-May Sakura - Lemessy

Director Institute of Marine Affairs

Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas

P.O. Box 3160 Carenage Post Office

Trinidad & Tobago

Tel: (868) 634 4291/4294

Fax: (868) 634 4433

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