Trinidad & Tobago, 2006 World factbook map

Trinidad and Tobago is a lovely tropical Caribbean twin island nation of 1,980 sq. mi. (5,100 sq. km.) just seven miles from Venezuela. Arawak and Carib Indians inhabited these islands when Christopher Columbus landed there in 1498. African and Indian slaves and indentured servants arrived in these British colonies, which became independent in 1962. A Commonwealth-type parliamentary government was retained with elections held every five years.

The 1980 census revealed a population of 1,055,800 with 41 percent African-descent, 41 percent East Indian-descent, and 16 percent mixed. The four major religious groups were Roman Catholic (34 percent), Hindu (25 percent), Anglican (15 percent), and Muslim (6 percent). In 2005, it is estimated that the population was 1,088,600 with 37.6 percent African-descent, 40 percent East Indian-descent, and 21 percent mixed. In terms of religion, 26 percent were Roman Catholic, 22.5 percent were Hindu, 8 percent were Anglican, 6 percent were Muslim, 3.3 percent did not state their religion and the rest were divided mainly into other branches of Protestantism.

Trinidad's major trading partner was the United States (petroleum, sugar) in 1986. The nation was moving from a primarily rural orientation toward an urban one, and from an agricultural society toward a technological society. Most agricultural work was still performed with hand labor, however. Primary school education was available to all children, but limited facilities and teachers did not permit all children to go on to secondary school. Part of the University of the West Indies was located in Trinidad. In the 1970s educational and health facilities and services were expanded with funds from the oil boom.

Mennonite Church (MC) broadcasting and medical work, beginning in 1969, led to the formation of the Mennonite Church of Trinidad and Tobago.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 892. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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