12 facts every Trini should know about Trinidad & Tobago
Written By DJ JEL & Kelsey Nancoo
Edited by Desiree Chavis
Calling all T&T lovers! If you have ever visited the wonderful island of Trinidad and Tobago, you might agree that it is definitely the home of entertainment in the Caribbean region. If you identify with the phrase “fete after fete,” well T&T is the place to be.
However, in recent times, a fun new series of videos created by Scorch Magazine by the name of “BarTAB- yuh done know or yuh don’t know” has definitely caught our attention and has us very much entertained. If you haven’t seen it, we recommend that you check it out as the responses from our fellow citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are most humorous. For this reason, we want to prepare Scorchers for the upcoming season so that you guys know a little thing or two just in case ScorchTV decides to show up at your local fete.
Here are a few wonderful facts about the diverse and magical country of Trinidad and Tobago.
12. The steel pan was founded in Trinidad & Tobago and continues to be featured as a prominent instrument and sound of West Indian music.
11. Trinidad is home to the world’s largest natural deposit of asphalt with an astonishing 99 acres known as The Pitch Lake.
10. The national bird of Trinidad is the Scarlet Ibis, while the neighboring island of Tobago claims the Cocrico as its national bird.
9. Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from British rule in 1962.
8. The country’s national motto is: “Together We Aspire, Together We Achieve.”
7. Trinidad and Tobago is home to the largest carnival festival in the Caribbean.
6. Trinidad is home to the world’s largest Hanuman Murti statue outside of India, standing at 85 feet tall located in the village of Carapichaima.
5. The Queen’s Park Savannah in Trinidad’s capital city, Port-of-Spain, is the world’s largest traffic round-a-bout.
4. Limbo dancing originated in Trinidad and Tobago.
3. Trinidad and Tobago has the second largest leatherback turtle nesting site in the world.
2. Trinidad and Tobago’s flag is made up of red, white and black — as shown below — and the colors represent the elements of earth, water and fire
Black: the wealth of the land and the dedication of the people.
White: the sea surrounding the islands, the purity of the country’s aspirations and equality.
Red: the warmth and energy of the sun, the vitality of the land and the courage and friendliness of its people.
1. The Main Ridge Forest Reserve, found in Tobago, is the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere.
