| The Royal Chartered Borough of Arima | |
|---|---|
| — Borough — | |
| Location of Arima | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Royal Borough | August, 1888 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ghassan Youseph |
| • Governing body | Arima Borough Corporation |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.3 sq mi (11.15 km2) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 34,389 |
| • Density | 7,485.1/sq mi (2,890/km2) |
| Time zone | Atlantic (UTC-4) |
| Area code(s) | +1 868 |
The Royal Borough of Arima (population 35,000) is the fourth largest town in Trinidad and Tobago. Located 26 km (16 mi) east of the capital, Port of Spain, Arima supports the only organised indigenous community in the country, the Santa Rosa Carib Community and is the seat of the Carib Queen (currently Valentina Medina). Arima was founded in 1757 by Capuchin friars as a mission to convert the Amerindian population to Christianity. The name is reported to mean "water".
Arima petitioned Queen Victoria for municipal status as part of her Golden Jubilee in 1887. This was granted the following year and Arima became a Royal Borough on 1 August 1888. Historically the third town of Trinidad, Arima has slid into fourth position as Chaguanas has boomed into the largest town in the country.
The calypsonian Lord Kitchener (1922–2000) was a favoured son of Arima. His remains are interred in the Santa Rosa Roman Catholic Cemetery, Arima. Footballer Clayton Ince was also born in the town.
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Arima hosts annual Borough Day anniversary celebration in August. The celebration incorporates Carnival-style street parades and usually coincide with the staging of the Santa Rosa Carib Community annual festival. The annual Arima Carnival includes street parades of masqueraders on Carnival Tuesday, J'ouvert bands on Carnival Monday as well as a local calypso competition.
Located in Arima Valley, you can enjoy a nature walk or a refreshing swim in the freshwater pond.
Located on Paul Mitchell road, off De Gannes Street in Arima, you can view items from Arima's native history and interact with the descendants of the Caribs in Arima. Native items also available for purchase.
Nature walks and Amerindian exhibits make this attraction a favorite with school tours.
Electric generation is handled by Powergen, while electrical distribution is handled by the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC). Powergen has natural gas fired generation plants at Point Lisas, Penal and Wrightson Road in Port of Spain. Additional power can be supplied from power generation facilities controlled by Inncogen at Point Lisas.
Telecommunications are regulated by the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT). It has been working to de-monopolise the industry, granting several new licenses in 2005. Fixed-line telephone service is a monopoly controlled by Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT). Licenses have been granted for competition in this area, but start-up is a while away. Wireless telephony is currently controlled by TSTT as well as Digicel which came later, but licenses have been granted for a private company, Laqtel to offer wireless service in competition with TSTT and Digicel. However, Laqtel has had its license revoked and is undergoing severe financial difficulties.
Cable television is provided by Flow. The service is currently analog, but digital service has been promised for some time in 2009. The arrival of digital service introduces packages such as high speed internet service up to 15Mbit/s, digital landline telephone service and the digital cable service.
Water and sewerage are under the purview of the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (WASA).
There are several primary (private and public) and secondary educational institutions in Arima, and some post-secondary level technical training institutes. St. Joseph's Convent, Arima was closed many years ago and the building now houses a retreat centre called Emmaus Centre.
Arima Schools
Primary
Arima West Primary School
Secondary
Post-secondary Institutions
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