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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 8,669[1] (2011) | |
| Languages | |
| Trinidadian English[2] | |
| Religion | |
| Anglicanism,Roman Catholicism,Presbyterianism,Evangelical Christianity,Irreligion[3] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| European Caribbeans,Portuguese Trinidadians and Tobagonians,English people,Scottish people,Welsh people,Irish people,French people,Germans,Portuguese people,Dutch people,Corsicans,Spaniards,Italians,Russians |
White Trinidadians and Tobagonians (sometimes referred asEuro-Trinidadians and Tobagonians orlocal-whites) are Trinidadians and Tobagonians ofEuropean descent. However, while the term "White Trinidadian and Tobagonian" is used to refer collectively to all Caucasians who are Trinidadian and Tobagonian, whether by birth or naturalization, the term "local-white" is used to refer more specifically to Trinidad and Tobago-born Caucasians and, in particular, those who trace their roots back to Trinidad and Tobago's early settlers.[4]
White Trinidadians and Tobagonians account for less than 1 percent of the population ofTrinidad and Tobago. However, the classification is primarily a superficial description[5]
Most white Trinidadians and Tobagonians are ofPortuguese stock.[6]
European Trinidadians are often referred to as French Creoles, even if are they are of non-French ancestry such as Spanish, British, Portuguese, or German descent.[7]
Before the arrival of Europeans, Trinidad and Tobago was mainly inhabited by various indigenous tribes such asArawaks, theCaribs, and theWarao people who came to the island via South America.Christopher Columbus was the first European to set foot in the island. The British brought African slaves to Trinidad and Tobago.[8]
The first Europeans to discover and settle in Trinidad and Tobago were theSpanish.[9] Trinidad was originally aSpanish colony and was under Spanish rule until the British took hold of Trinidad in 1797.[10] The French and the English later colonized the islands. The French arrived during Spanish colonization. Portuguese people were brought to replace freed African slaves. Europeans make up to 0.6 percent of Trinidad and Tobago's population. Many live in the suburbs ofPort of Spain. Many Europeans in Trinidad and Tobago are of British, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and German heritage.[11]
A small population of Portuguese Jews arrived in Trinidad in 1850 to 1900. They primarily came fromVenezuela, British Honduras (now present-day Belize), andCuraçao.[12]
Many white Trinidadians originate from the colonial era, in which English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, German, and Corsican people filled the gap required to work as overseers on estates, farming sugarcane and cocoa, and to fill the gap required for labour on agricultural estates at the time.[13]
The official language of Trinidad and Tobago is English and all government and business activities are conducted in Standard English (United Kingdom).
The population is predominantly Christian, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, and Evangelical denominations. Individuals of European descent (White Trinidadians) have historically belonged to these Christian groups, although some identify as nonreligious.
The term "local-white" is often used in Trinidad to refer to Trinidad-born Caucasians, particularly those descended from early European settlers.
During the colonial period, Trinidad attracted settlers from Britain, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, and Corsica. These Europeans arrived as estate owners, managers, and overseers in the sugar and cocoa industries, especially following the Cedula of Population in 1783 and the British capture in 1797.
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