Trinidad / History, Population, Politics

History

Geological history is best appreciated from the time of separation from the South American mainland, normally understood to have occurred around 7000 years BC, an epoch when descendants of Banwari Man were known to have existed as a hunter-gatherers from fossil remains and settlements unearthed at Blanchisseuse, Moruga and Mayaro. Amerindians called it Kairi, Land of the Hummingbird, but recorded human history only really begins on 31 July 1498 when Columbus arrived off the south coast on his third journey, espied the triple outline of the Trinity Hills and named the country La Trinidad. Permanent settlers from Spain took almost another century to arrive then spent another two practically neglecting it, subjugating the Amerindian populace and fending off raids from English, French and Dutch pirates. 

In 1783 French catholic whites and free coloured settlers were invited from other islands with land incentives but 14 years later Sir Ralph Abercromby’s British fleet sailed in and took over with only limited opposition, laying foundations for the modern country in education, politics and legislation over the next two hundred years. The slave trade brought Africans to work the cocoa, coffee and sugar plantations, the first Chinese were imported in 1806, then trading was abolished the following year. The emancipation edict was passed in 1834 but was not effective till 1838 and indentured labour fromMadeira, China, Syria, India and Lebanon continued to pour in up to 1917. By now commercial oil production had started in the south, the catalyst for the country’s relative modern day wealth, and Britain’s interest in its cane estates and colonial heritage was slowly waning. 

Tobago was ceded to Trinidad in 1899, the independence movement in India encouraged others in the diaspora and the twin island republic of Trinidad an Tobago gained theirs in 1962 to tumultuous acclaim. Petroleum has dominated the economy since the 1930s, then manufacturing in the post war years, but natural gas now appears set to fuel future growth while the Government seeks to reposition as the major financial and business centre for the region. 
 

Population 

The demographics of Trinidad are a fascinating study in themselves, a trace line through the history and struggle of marginalised incomers, with a current population of circa 1.3 million, including 270,000 in the Port of Spain metropolitan area and 45,000 in the city. Other main urban areas are the second city San Fernando in the south, Chaguanas, Curepe, San Juan and Arima in the industrial corridor east of the capital. Its multi-ethnic origins have allowed a fairly harmonious co-existence amongst its peoples with Christian, Hindu, Muslim and a host of others living and worshipping in equable close proximity. The most theologically diverse country in the Caribbean, also maintaining one of the highest literacy rates in the western hemisphere. The racial breakdown is about 40% Indian, 39.5% Black African, 18.5% mixed race, 0.6% white and 0.4% Chinese. 
 

Politics 

Britain bequeathed its political constitution and legislature, and historian and founder of the People’s National Movement, Dr Eric Williams led the country through rough waters post independence, establishing the Republic in 1976with a figurehead President and relinquishing the British appointed Governor, the last vestige of colonialism. 

Parliamentary Democracy remained with a Prime Minister and Cabinet. From 1995-2001 the East Indian influenced United National Congress gained control under Basdeo Panday before Patrick Manning’s PNM usurped him in 2002. Now the old established order is being challenged on various fronts, with pressure for change and review in law and order, social systems, education, public services and environment. 

To herald the demands of a new era, the country went to the polls 30 months early again in May 2010 and elected its first female Prime Minister, sixty year old lawyer Kamla Persad-Bissessar, leader of the United National Congress and a five party coalition, the People’s Partnership, who affirmed that no one ethnic group or social class would be allowed to dominate the country. The new PM had campaigned on more community based policing, higher pensions and a fund for children requiring medical treatment that can only be sourced outside at present. “We shall build on our collective strength and character and everyone of us will rise, no one will be left behind”, she affirmed.