Trinidad and Tobago is an island country that’s located in the southern part of the Caribbean. It’s also called the dual-island country since Trinidad and Tobago are two separate main islands. That said, other islands surround this country. Even though it’s one of the famous places in the Caribbean, this country only has a population of more than a million. Still, this country is known for its rich culture and exotic occasions. For example, did you know that limbo was created in Trinidad? Of course, there are other interesting things that you’ll find out about this country.
Trinidad and Tobago Facts
1. This country is a breeding ground for turtles.
Specifically, Leatherback turtles nest in Trinidad and Tobago. This place has become truly important to the world thanks to the turtles that chose to breed here, an interesting Trinidad and Tobago fact. For that reason, this country ensures that they can provide the necessary security for the Leatherbacks.
2. They have a significant ghost story in this country.
This story is directly related to Charles Joseph de Loppinot who died in 1819. Loppinot was part of the French army and a knight. Lopinot is a village that has been established in the country when his journey has taken him to the nearby regions. Loppinot’s journey was influential and he became very wealthy. Eventually, he had to flee because of the slave uprising. However, his legacy lives on in the paranormal world. A lot of people have claimed that the French knight appears occasionally during stormy knights on top of a black horse. That’s why they call it “The ghost of Lopinot”. Other claims pertain to the existence of other paranormal activities in the area.
3. The steelpan instrument originally came from Trinidad and Tobago.
One of the most interesting things about the steelpan is that it’s not an instrument that’s too hard or too easy to use. Becoming a pannist, which is what steelpan musicians are called, has become a trend lately. That’s why there are already numerous steelpan bands out there. Other than that, steel pans today are made using industrial drums that were drenched or formerly contained certain chemicals.
4. People are called differently in Trinidad and Tobago.
A fun fact about Trinidad and Tobago is that people from the island of Trinidad are called Trinidadians while the ones from Tobago are Tobagonians. This goes to show how much culture and history of this island country has. Adding to that, they are also colloquially known as Trinbagonians. Both islands also have different national birds.
5. The world’s second hottest chili pepper is in this country.
The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion has been designated as the hottest pepper back in 2012. However, it’s now been topped by the Carolina North Reaper. Still, the Moruga Scorpion remains a special chili in the books. One of the most distinctive properties of this pepper is its sweet and spicy taste. Other than that, it’s also easy to grow which is why you can plant it in almost any part of the world. Just make sure you have a lot of milk at the ready before you explore just how hot this pepper is, a fun Trinidad and Tobago fact.
6. The country’s capital is strangely named after another country.
Oddly enough, Trinidad and Tobago’s capital city is named Port of Spain. That’s nowhere near the name of the country’s islands. As for how this became the country’s capital city, it’s due to the Spanish settlers that arrived in this place back in the 16th century. Also, the Port of Spain was formerly known as Cumucurapo; a simple fishing village that belonged to the Amerindians. Also, the capital city has a boundary thanks to the garrison that the Spanish settlers built.
7. The world’s largest brain coral is in Trinidad.
You may have already seen what a brain coral looks like. However, the normal size of the brain coral is not that big. Most of the time, you’ll see that it’s only about half a meter. However, that’s not the case with Trinidad’s brain coral. It’s about 3 meters high and 5.3 meters across. It’s even more surprising to see it up close. Of course, it’s thanks to this brain coral that different life forms can thrive around it. That’s also the reason why it’s one of the most popular diving sites for visitors.
8. They invented goat racing.
There are a lot of strange sports that exist all over the world, but goat racing is a bit stranger than usual. As for how it works, the participants or jockeys will need to have their goat. Contrary to most animal racing events, the jockeys have to run with the goats while guiding them with a leash and a whip to the finish line. A fun fact about Trinidad and Tobago is that this country declared goat racing events as unofficial holidays so you can only imagine how important it is for a lot of people in the country.
9. This country has a fantastic carnival.
The most interesting thing that you’ll ever see in Trinidad and Tobago is its carnival. This is an event that’s held once a year and starts before Ash Wednesday. This year’s carnival was held on the 24th and 25th of February. What makes this so important is that it’s been a tradition that shaped the country’s culture. Adding to that, the carnival itself exhibits a lot of color themes that are both elegant and beautiful. The Trinidad Carnival is also a way to ensure that certain pieces of history, such as calypso music, are shown to the public.
Conclusion
Trinidad and Tobago is a country that’s full of culture and history. It’s certainly full of magical surprises for newcomers. It’s because certain things make them a great island country. Simply having different designations for people on each island is proof enough that they have differences when it comes to culture. Even their national birds are different! Still, that doesn’t change the fact that Trinidad and Tobago is one of the best places to be if you want to know what kind of lifestyle do people have in the Caribbean.
I hope that this article on Trinidad and Tobago facts was helpful! If you are interested, visit the Country Facts Page!