Trinidad and Tobago Country Handbook This handbook provides basic reference information on Trinidad and Tobago, in- cluding its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military per sonnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to Trinidad and Tobago. The Marine Corps Intel ligence Activity is the community coordinator for the Country Hand book Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on Trinidad and Tobago. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and government personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and designated for support of coalition operations. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this docu ment, to include excerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. CONTENTS KEY FACTS .................................................................... 1 U.S. MISSION .................................................................. 2 U.S. Embassy .............................................................. 2 U.S. Military Facilities ................................................ 2 Travel Advisories ........................................................ 2 Entry Requirements .................................................... 3 Customs Restrictions .................................................. 4 GEOGRAPHY ................................................................. 5 Land Statistics ............................................................. 5 Boundaries .................................................................. 5 Bodies of Water ........................................................... 6 Topography .................................................................. 6 Cross Country Movement ...................................... 8 Environment ................................................................ 11 CLIMATE ........................................................................ 11 Precipitation ............................................................... 13 TRANSPORTATION AND COmmuNICATION ......... 13 Transportation ............................................................. 13 Roads ..................................................................... 13 Rail ......................................................................... 14 Air .......................................................................... 15 Maritime ............................................................... 15 Communication ........................................................... 16 Radio and Television .............................................. 16 Telecommunication ................................................ 18 Newspapers and Magazines ................................... 19 iii Contents (Continued) Postal Service ......................................................... 19 Internet ................................................................... 20 Satellites ................................................................. 20 CULTURE ....................................................................... 21 Statistics ..................................................................... 21 Population Patterns ..................................................... 21 Ethnic Density ............................................................ 22 Society ........................................................................ 23 People .......................................................................... 24 Ethnic Groups ............................................................. 24 Family ......................................................................... 25 Roles of Men and Women ........................................... 26 Customs and Courtesies .............................................. 26 Dress ........................................................................... 27 Education and Literacy Rates ..................................... 28 Religion ........................................................................ 28 Recreation ................................................................... 30 Cultural Considerations .............................................. 30 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT ............................................. 32 Infectious Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel ........ 32 Food- or Waterborne Diseases ............................... 32 Vector-borne Diseases ............................................ 32 Animal-associated Diseases ................................... 33 Respiratory Diseases .............................................. 33 Water-contact Diseases .......................................... 33 Soil-contact Diseases ............................................. 34 Sexually Transmitted and Bloodborne Diseases .... 34 Medical Capabilities .................................................. 34 Key Medical Facilities ........................................... 35 Disaster Response Capability ................................ 37 iv Contents (Continued) HISTORY ........................................................................ 38 Chronology ................................................................ 43 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS ................................. 44 Government ................................................................. 44 National Level ........................................................ 44 Politics ......................................................................... 49 Political Parties ...................................................... 50 Foreign Relations ................................................... 50 International Organizations ....................................... 52 Non-Governmental Organizations ........................ 54 Corruption ................................................................... 54 ECONOMY ..................................................................... 54 Economic Statistics ..................................................... 56 Resources .................................................................... 57 Industry ....................................................................... 57 Utilities ........................................................................ 60 Electricity ............................................................... 60 Water ...................................................................... 60 Agriculture .................................................................. 61 Foreign Investment ...................................................... 61 Economic Outlook ...................................................... 61 THREAT .......................................................................... 62 Crime .......................................................................... 62 Travel Security ............................................................ 62 Terrorism ..................................................................... 63 Drug Trafficking ......................................................... 63 Major Intelligence Services ......................................... 63 ARMED FORCES ........................................................... 63 Defense Force Organization ........................................ 63 Key Personnel ............................................................. 64 v Contents (Continued) Military Statistics ........................................................ 64 Army .......................................................................... 64 Mission ................................................................... 64 Organization .......................................................... 65 Personnel ............................................................... 66 Training .................................................................. 66 Disposition ............................................................. 66 Equipment .............................................................. 67 Air Guard .................................................................... 68 Background ............................................................ 68 Mission ................................................................... 68 Equipment .............................................................. 69 Coast Guard ................................................................ 69 Organization .......................................................... 69 Order of Battle ....................................................... 69 Port Facility Security Unit ..................................... 70 Police Forces ............................................................... 70 Structure and Organization .................................... 70 Personnel ................................................................ 71 Uniforms and weapons .......................................... 71 APPENDICES Equipment Recognition .................................................... A-1 International Time Zones ................................................. B-1