English
Español
中文
हिन्दी
FrançaisMost Tobagonians are of African descent, while Trinidad is the most cosmopolitan society in the Caribbean. People of Asian, African and European descent, and a mixture of these, live together on this island.
Did You Know
Interesting Facts about Trinidad and Tobago
Trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits about Trinidad and Tobago.
Speed
Did You Know?
12 curious facts about Trinidad and Tobago.
- T & T has what could be called the eighth wonder of the world, Pitch Lake near the town of La Brea. It has crude oil in it which reaches the earth's surface by seeping through a fault line in the sandstone 76 metres below ground. The pitch swirls slowly, swallowing objects and releasing them years later.
- T & T achieved independence from Britain in 1962 and became a Republic in 1976.
- Trinidad has one of the world's most multi-ethnic populations. Offspring of African and European parents are seen culturally as Black Trinidadians. Some mixed race people are called French Creoles although many families bear Spanish, Portuguese, Scottish and English names.
- When the British explorer Sir Walter Raleigh was anchored in Trinidad in 1595, he used the asphalt from Pitch Lake to caulk his leaking ships.
- Liming is part of Trinidad's recreational life. It means passing the time, not doing anything too purposeful, being with friends for the sake of relaxing. It takes place at the beach, on street corners, in bars and outside shops.
- The oil companies provide their employees with the companies' own medical services and clinics.
- Nothing sums up the T & T philosophy towards education better than a saying by a former Prime Minister, the late Eric Williams, when he said, “The future of the nation lies in your school bag.”
- Whether people from T & T are speaking English or some form of Creole, they do so with intonations that make it distinct from all other Caribbean accents.
- All the people of T & T participate in every one of the religious events that their rich multi-denominational culture offers them. Regardless of religious background, most people join in celebrating all occasions and festivities.