Arima

For other uses, see Arima (disambiguation).
The Royal Chartered Borough of Arima
Borough

Broadway, Arima
Coordinates: 10°37′N 61°16′W / 10.617°N 61.267°WCoordinates: 10°37′N 61°16′W / 10.617°N 61.267°W
Country Trinidad and Tobago
Island Trinidad
County Saint George County
Royal Borough August, 1888
Government
 • Mayor His Worship Alderman George Hadeed
 • Governing body Arima Borough Corporation
Area
 • Total 4.31 sq mi (11.15 km2)
Population (2006)
 • Total 34,389
 • Density 7,500/sq mi (2,890/km2)
Time zone Atlantic (UTC-4)
Area code(s) +1 868

Arima is a borough in Trinidad (The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago) and serves as the country's fourth largest Metropolitan Area. Located in North Central of Trinidad, the population in 2006 was 34,389 according to that year's census.

The town petitioned Queen Victoria for municipal status as part of her Golden Jubilee in 1887. This was granted in the following year, and Arima became a Royal Borough on 1 August 1888. Historically, the third town of Trinidad, Arima has slid into fourth place as Chaguanas became 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.

Culture and entertainment

Arima hosts an annual Borough Day anniversary celebration in August. The celebration incorporates Carnival-style street parades and usually coincides 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.

Attractions

Located in Arima Valley, has a nature walk and swimming at a freshwater pond.

Located on Paul Mitchell Road, off of De Gannes Street in Arima, contains items from Arima's native history, and has displays of descendants of the Caribs in Arima. Native items also available for purchase.

Has nature walks and Amerindian exhibits.

Utilities

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 and bmobile as well as Digicel which came later. 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.

Digital cable television is provided by Flow. High speed internet service of up to 100Mbit/s and digital landline telephone service are all available in Arima.

Water and sewerage are under the purview of the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (WASA).

Education

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 in Arima was closed many years ago and the building now houses a retreat centre called Emmaus Centre.

Arima Schools

Primary

Secondary

Post-secondary Institutions

Gallery

References

    External links