Chaguaramas (Trinidad)

Chaguaramas denotes the northwestern tip of the island of Trinidad and the surrounding islands.

Definition and Location

Chaguaramas in Trinidad is an established term, but does not denote a formally limited area. Administratively belongs to the region Chaguaramas Diego Martin. The area west of St. Peters Bay and the Tucker Valley Road is commonly known as Chaguaramas. The region covers about 60 square kilometers (6,000 acres ). Limited it is in the north by the Caribbean Sea, and on the south by the Gulf of Paria. Only about 25km west of the islands begins the Venezuelan mainland, the distance between the westernmost island Chacachacare and the eastern Venezuelan island of Isla de Patos is only 10km.

History

In 1805 there were on the French sugar plantations in today Chaguaramas a slave revolt. 1813 was started by Chacachacare from one of the campaigns that led to the renewed independence of Venezuela. In the late 19th century Chaguaramas served as a base for whaling. From 1940 to 1963, the entire area was leased to the U.S. under the Destroyer for - bases agreement that established a naval base and a missile early warning system there. Located in Chaguaramas fishing village of Carenage was then expanded into an entertainment quarter for U.S. troops since the withdrawal of U.S. Americans but again just a fishing village. 1958 founded twelve British colonies, including Trinidad and Tobago, the West Indies Federation and decided to build the capital of the newly created state in the area of Chaguaramas. Temporary capital was Port of Spain. About the planning stage, the designated capital never came out as the West Indies Federation dissolved in 1962 after internal strife. 1973 here the Treaty of Chaguaramas was signed, through which the Caribbean Community (CARICOM ) was established. Today Chaguaramas is the center of yachting in Trinidad, home to many small marinas (eg, the T & T Yacht Club in Glencoe ) and serves as a base for sailing trips to the islands as the Bocas Islands or the Five Islands.

Geography

On the peninsula, there is one of the few dry forest inventories Trinidad. Here, in 1961 was the Chaguaramas National Park established.

Cities and towns

• Diego Martin ( 86,800 inhabitants, as of 2000)
• La retreat
• Carenage
• Glencoe