Caroni, Trinidad and Tobago
Encyclopedia
Caroni County occupies 557 km² (215.1 sq mi) in the west central part of the island of Trinidad
, the larger island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
. It lies south and southwest of Saint George County, west of Nariva County and north of Victoria County. To the west it is bounded by the Gulf of Paria
. County Caroni includes the town of Chaguanas
, the largest town (by population) in the country. Administratively it is divided between the Borough of Chaguanas, the Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation
and the Tunapuna-Piarco Regional Corporation
. The county was divided into four Wards: Chaguanas
, Couva
, Cunupia
and Montserrat.
Caroni County, which takes its name from the Caroni River, stretches from the hills of the Central Range into the lowlands of the Caroni Plains and the Caroni Swamp
. It is heavily associated with sugar cane and the Sugar Belt, but it actually accounts for no more than one third of the sugar belt. The now-defunct state-owned sugar company, Caroni (1975) Ltd took its name from the county.
Caroni is divided into four Wards - Cunupia, Chaguanas, Couva and Montserrat. The major towns of County Caroni are Chaguanas and Couva. The port
and industrial zone of Point Lisas
is also located in Caroni.
Caroni is often used symbolically to represent the Indo-Trinidadian
heartland and the power base of the United National Congress
.
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
, the larger island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
. It lies south and southwest of Saint George County, west of Nariva County and north of Victoria County. To the west it is bounded by the Gulf of Paria
Gulf of Paria
The Gulf of Paria is a shallow inland sea between the island of Trinidad and the east coast of Venezuela. This sheltered body of water is considered to be one of the best natural harbours on the Atlantic coast of the Americas...
. County Caroni includes the town of Chaguanas
Chaguanas
The Borough of Chaguanas is the largest municipality 2000 census) and fastest-growing town in Trinidad and Tobago. Located in Central Trinidad about south of Port of Spain. It grew in size due to its proximity to the Woodford Lodge sugar refinery. It remained a minor town until the 1980s when it...
, the largest town (by population) in the country. Administratively it is divided between the Borough of Chaguanas, the Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation
Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation
Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation is a Regional Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago. It has a land area of 719.64 km². Urban areas within Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation include Claxton Bay, Couva, Point Lisas, St...
and the Tunapuna-Piarco Regional Corporation
Tunapuna-Piarco Regional Corporation
Tunapuna-Piarco Regional Corporation is a local government body in Trinidad and Tobago. It is one of nine Regional Corporations in Trinidad which replaced the system of Counties as local government bodies in 1992. It is the largest by population of all the Regional Corporations. It contains the...
. The county was divided into four Wards: Chaguanas
Chaguanas
The Borough of Chaguanas is the largest municipality 2000 census) and fastest-growing town in Trinidad and Tobago. Located in Central Trinidad about south of Port of Spain. It grew in size due to its proximity to the Woodford Lodge sugar refinery. It remained a minor town until the 1980s when it...
, Couva
Couva
Couva is a town in west-central Trinidad, south of Chaguanas and north of Claxton Bay and San Fernando. The Greater Couva area includes the Point Lisas Industrial Estate and the Port of Point Lisas. Couva's southern boundary is at the town of California, and to the north Couva stretches to McBean...
, Cunupia
Cunupia
Cunupia is a town in central Trinidad. It is part of the Borough of Chaguanas. Cunupia is just northeast of Chaguanas proper. Like Chaguanas itself, Cunupia has experienced rapid growth in recent years, especially in terms of residential developments....
and Montserrat.
Caroni County, which takes its name from the Caroni River, stretches from the hills of the Central Range into the lowlands of the Caroni Plains and the Caroni Swamp
Caroni Swamp
342px|thumb|Cook's Tree Boa in Caroni SwampThe Caroni Swamp is the largest mangrove wetland in Trinidad and Tobago. It is located on the west coast of Trinidad, south of Port of Spain and northwest of Chaguanas, where the Caroni River meets the Gulf of Paria....
. It is heavily associated with sugar cane and the Sugar Belt, but it actually accounts for no more than one third of the sugar belt. The now-defunct state-owned sugar company, Caroni (1975) Ltd took its name from the county.
Caroni is divided into four Wards - Cunupia, Chaguanas, Couva and Montserrat. The major towns of County Caroni are Chaguanas and Couva. The port
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
and industrial zone of Point Lisas
Point Lisas
Point Lisas is the site of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate and the Port of Point Lisas, both of which are managed by Plipdeco...
is also located in Caroni.
Caroni is often used symbolically to represent the Indo-Trinidadian
Indo-Trinidadian
Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian are nationals of Trinidad and Tobago of Indian or other South Asian ancestry.Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonians has now become interchangeable with Indians or East Indians. These were people who were taken from India by the British either as workers or educated...
heartland and the power base of the United National Congress
United National Congress
The United National Congress is one of the two major political parties in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and one of the parties in the current ruling coalition. It was founded by Basdeo Panday, a lawyer and former trade unionist. The UNC was formed as the result of a split in the ruling...
.