Flag

The National Flag was selected from a series of designs created by the Independence Committee in 1962. The colours of red , white and black were chosen to reflect the philosophy of a 'new nation', the principles for which it stood, its hopes and aspirations and the Nation's supreme determination to preserve the harmony and unity of spirit which underlie the cultural diversity of our people.

The flag of Trinidad and Tobago consists of a red base with an off centered black diagonal stripe originating in the top left corner and running across the flag. The black stripe is bordered on both sides by a thin white stripe.

The red base represents the vigor of the land in Trinidad and Tobago, the friendliness and courage of its people, and the sun. The black represents the unity and strength of the people, as well as the natural wealth of the country. The white represents the surrounding sea and the purity and equality of all people under the sun. Together, the colors represent earth, water and fire, which connect the nation's people to the past present and future.

Coat of Arms

The Coat of Arms of Trinidad and Tobago was designed in 1962, by a committee of distinguished citizens established to select and design the country's national emblems. Committee members included noted artist Carlyle Chang and Carnival Designer George Bailey.

The Coat of Arms incorporates important historical and indigenous elements of Trinidad and Tobago. They are: The Shield, The Helm of special design, the Mantle which covers the Helm, the Wreath to hold the Mantle in place, the Crest, the Supportes and the Motto.

At the top is the Crest - a ship's wheel in gold in front of a fruited coconut palm. This palm had always been the central figure on the Great Seals of British Colonial Tobago. Beneath the wheel is the wreath which holds the mantle in place.

The Helm is a gold helmet facing front which represents the Queen. The devices on the Shield are the two humming birds. The three gold ships represent the Trinity - the discovery of the islands and the three ships of Coloumbus; the sea that brought our people together; and the commerce and wealth of our country. The colours of the National Flag are displayed on the Shield.

The Supporters are a Scarlet Ibis (the national bird of Trinidad) on the left and, a Cocrico (the national bird of Tobago) on the right. Both are shown in their natural colours. The Three Peaks commermorated both Columbus' decision to name Trinidad after the Blessed Trinity and the three Peaks of the Southern mountain range, called the "Three Sisters" on the horizon.

Inscribed on the motto scroll are the words: "Together we aspire; together we achieve," which speakes for itself and promotes harmony in diversity for national achievement.

Download Anthem

Forged from the love of liberty,
In the fires of hope and prayer,
With boundless faith in our Destiny,
We solemnly declare,
Side by side we stand,
Islands of the blue Caribbean Sea,
This our Native Land,
We pledge our lives to Thee,
Here every creed and race find an equal place,
And may God bless our Nation,
Here every creed and race find an equal place,
And may God bless our Nation.

Patrick S. Castagne composed the words and music of the National Anthem in 1962.

I solemnly pledge
To dedicate my life
To the service of my God
And my country.
I will honour
My parents, my teachers,
My leaders and my elders
And those in authority.
I will be clean and honest
In all my thoughts,
My words and my deeds.
I will strive in everything I do
To work together with my fellowmen
Of every creed and race
For the greater happiness of all
And the honour and glory
Of my country.

Written by Marjorie Padmore

National Flower

Chaconia (Warszewiczia coccinea)

The Chaconia (Warszewiczia coccinea), called "Wild Poinsetta" or "Pride of Trinidad and Tobago" is a flaming red forest flower of the family Rubianceae.

The title is in honour of the last Spanish Governor of Trinidad and Tobago, Don Jose Maria Chacon. This flower which is known by its long sprays of magnificient vermillion, blooms on every anniversary of our Independence. As an indigenious flower it has been witness to our entire history. It can therefore be said to represent the imperishability of life and the continuity of our Nation. With its colour matching the flaming red of our Flag and Coat of Arms, and bearing the same symbolism, the Chaconia harmonizes with the national Emblems.

National Birds

Scarlet Ibis (Trinidad), and the Cocrico (Tobago)

The Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a species of ibis that occurs in tropical South America and Trinidad and Tobago.The largest habitat of the Scarlet Ibis is the Caroni Swamp in central Trinidad. This beautiful bird is brown when young and, its colour changes to red when it is mature.

The Cocrico (Red tailed Guan or Rufus -tailed Chachalaca) is a native of Tobago and Venezuala, but is not found in Trinidad. It is the only game bird on the island of Tobago, and is referred to as the Tobago Pheasant. It is about the size of a common fowl, brownish in colour with a long tail. They go about in flocks of about six (6) and their quaint calls can be heard especially on early mornings and late evenings.

Both birds are featured on the Coat of Arms of Trinidad and Tobago, and are protected by law.

National Instrument

Steelpan

The National Instrument of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the steelpan, is a musical instrument indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago whose early evolution dates back to the 1930's and 40's. Traditionally made from a steel drum or container, it is a definite percussion instrument in the idophone class. The playing surface is divided into convex sections by channels, grooves and/or bores and each convex section is a note tuned to a definite pitch. The range and assortment of today's instruments makes it possible to execute the simplest of melodies to the most complex arrangements found in orchestration.

National Holidays

Visit Our Calendar

Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate, 2000-2006*, male

100

Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate, 2000-2006*, female

100

Number per 100 population 2005: phones

86

Number per 100 population 2005: Internet users

12

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, male

102

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, female

99

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, male

90

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, female

90

Primary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*) ratio, net, male

98

Primary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*) ratio, net, female

98

% of primary school entrants reaching grade 5 2000-2006*, adMinister data

91

% of primary school entrants reaching grade 5 2000-2006*, survey data

99

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, male

79

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, female

82

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, male

68

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, female

70

Secondary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*), net, male

84

Secondary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*), net, female

90

Trinidad and Tobago maintains close relations with its Caribbean neighbours and major North American and European trading partners. As the most industrialised and second-largest country in the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago takes a leading role in the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), and supports CARICOM economic integration efforts. It is also active in the Summit of the Americas process and supports the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Trinidad & Tobago was one of the first CARICOM states to formally enter into the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006.

After independence in 1962, Trinidad joined the UN and the Commonwealth. In 1967, it became the first Commonwealth country to join the Organisation of American States (OAS). In 1995, Trinidad played host to the inaugural meeting of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and has become the seat of this 35-member grouping, which seeks to further economic progress and integration among its states.

Elections were last held on 5 November 2007. The PNM won by 26-15 over the UNC. The voter tun-out was 66% - 4% lower than the last elections in 2002. PM Manning was returned to office with a mandate and sworn in on 7 November 2007. The next elections are due in 2012.

Elected councils administer Trinidad's seven counties and four largest cities.

The country's highest court is the Court of Appeal, whose Chief Justice is appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister. Final appeal on some matters is decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. Trinidad and Tobago house the Caribbean Court of Justice, which was established to act as a court that can handle trade disputes amongst CARICOM member states (Original Jurisdiction), and that will eventually serve as a supreme appellate court to replace the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London (Final Appellate Court). The court's jurisdiction is currently limited to only Barbados and Guyana.

Tobago was given a measure of self-government in 1980 and is administered by the Tobago House of Assembly. In 1996, Trinidad and Tobago's Parliament passed further legislation giving Tobago a greater degree of autonomy.

Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - Brasilia, Brazil

Ambassador: Her Excellency Monica June Clement
SHIS QL 02 Conjunto 02, Casa 01

Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - Brussels, Belgium

High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Ottawa, Canada

Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Toronto, Canada

Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Havana, Cuba

High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, New Delhi, India

High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Kingston, Jamaica

High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Abuja, Nigeria

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, London, United Kingdom

Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - Washington D.C., U.S.A Permanent Mission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the Organization of American States

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations, New York, U.S.A.

Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, New York, U.S.A.

Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Miami, United States of America

Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - Caracas, Venezuela

High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Pretoria, South Africa

High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Kampala, Uganda