The Northern Range is the range of tall hills across north Trinidad , the major island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago . The hills range from the Chaguaramas peninsula on the west coast to Toco in the east. The Northern Range covers approximately twenty-five percent of the land area of Trinidad.
22-540: The Northern Range runs from the Chaguaramas Peninsula in the west to Toco in the east. The eastern Northern Range (areas east of Arima ) remain most heavily forested. Portions west of Arima, especially the southern slopes and valleys, have been extensively deforested, since they lie immediately north of the most heavily populated parts of the island. At the western end of the Northern Range,
44-474: A naval base , Naval Base Trinidad , under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement . The base was also used during the early 1960s as a BMEWS early warning radar site, as well as a missile tracking site on the U.S. Air Force Eastern Test Range . The base was scaled back in 1956 and the area was returned to Trinidad and Tobago control in 1963. Chaguaramas was the location slated for the construction of
66-458: A formal guide to naval terminology described a naval station as "any establishment for building, manufacturing, docking, repair, supply, or training under control of the Navy. It may also include several establishments". A naval base, by contrast, was "a point from which naval operations may be conducted". In most countries, naval bases are expressly named and identified as such. One peculiarity of
88-515: A larger setting, thus it can serve a large number of persons with different tastes through the use of the smaller areas as niche spots. Chaguaramas has been the center of yachting activity in Trinidad. There are several marinas within the Chaguaramas area which provide repair services or on-land boarding services for yachts. There is also the option to refuel and stock supplies or just moor
110-537: Is a military base , where warships and naval ships are docked when they have no mission at sea or need to restock. Ships may also undergo repairs. Some naval bases are temporary homes to aircraft that usually stay on ships but are undergoing maintenance while the ship is in port. In the United States , the United States Department of the Navy 's General Order No. 135 issued in 1911 as
132-401: Is allowed to swim in the sea as the area is located in an inlet. However great care should be exercised in entering and exiting the water as due to dredging of the seabed many years ago, there is a sharp descent of several feet close to the shore. The drop/ or descent can make the area perilous for newly trained swimmers and the extremely short person entering or exiting the water. Tucker Valley
154-684: Is easily recognizable as the docks and buildings are colored pink from the bauxite dust. After the Trinidad and Tobago government passed the Conservation and Wildlife Act in 1960, hunting is strictly prohibited. This law is upheld by the Chaguaramas Development Authority. Chaguaramas is however one of the country's most popular spots for Tarpon fishing. In 2010, Sportsfishing Magazine names Chaguaramas waters one of their top locations for fishing Tarpon. Naval base A naval base , navy base , or military port
176-401: Is known for several points of interest such as: The Bamboo Cathedral, The UPick Farm and Restaurant, The World War Bunker, and The Nutmeg Grove among other things. The Bamboo Cathedral is well known by photographers who capture images of many newly engaged couples strolling in the area. The wide lane of the roadway with the bamboos intertwining overhead creates an image of seclusion and sets
198-531: The capital of the short-lived West Indies Federation . It is also the place where the Treaty of Chaguaramas was signed, establishing CARICOM , the Caribbean Community and Common Market, in 1973. The Chaguaramas Peninsula supports one of the few remaining areas of dry forest in western Trinidad. On weekends groups of persons enter Chaguaramas to cycle on or kayak in rented equipment. During
220-632: The "upkeep" of the large trees which provide shelter at great heights for them. "Conveniently located just off the Macqueripe Road, Bellerand Heritage Park is surrounded by various areas offering recreational activities such as golfing, swimming and is a 'stone's throw' away from the Magnificent Edith Falls". Another heritage park which is located within the Macqueripe area in Chaguaramas is Samaan Park. At Macqueripe, one
242-455: The Army and Coast Guard camps on the mainland. Offshore, a group known as The Five Islands are in various stages of development or redevelopment, as of 2016. Most of the roadway in Chaguaramas lies close to the coastline and one can view the sea from the winding road. It is about 14 km from Port of Spain. The entire peninsula was leased to the United States in 1940 for the construction of
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#1732772020280264-468: The CDA's website. The Chaguaramas Golf Course is "a 9-hole course" and the only "public" golf course in the twin-island Republic. The Golf Course at Chaguaramas has been in existence for some forty plus (40+) years and is one of the older, if not the oldest golf course in the island. Pier 1 was designed to host functions for large numbers of persons. The venue was designed to host events in small areas within
286-527: The Northern Range, which represents a combination of species from the South American continent and from the Caribbean islands further north is high. The densely forested peaks are home to over 100 species of mammals and 430 species of birds. Animals such as red howler monkeys , capuchin monkeys , neotropical river otters , collared peccary , ocelots and red brocket deer , to name a few, inhabit
308-580: The capital city, Port of Spain , climbs into the hills and the valleys are settled and largely deforested. The Arima Valley remains as the westernmost valley that is still primarily forested, in a large part due to the presence of the Asa Wright Nature Centre in this valley. The hills rise abruptly from the lowlands of northern Trinidad (the so-called East–West Corridor ), but only the two tallest peaks, El Cerro del Aripo and El Tucuche top 900 m. The south-facing valleys run deep into
330-464: The eastern end of the range are of volcanic origin. The country's largest cave system, the Aripo Cave , is located in the Northern Range. The caves feature stalagmite and stalactite formations. These caves are inhabited by nocturnal oilbirds , and bats. Numerous sulphur springs occur on the river beds of Rio Seco Falls, demonstrating the volcanic nature of the region. The biodiversity within
352-597: The hills and support major rivers, such as the Caroni River, while the north-facing valleys are generally short and are drained by smaller streams. There are numerous streams and waterfalls in the Northern Range. The highest waterfall is Maracas waterfall, towering 91.5 metres (300 ft) high. Other waterfalls include the Rincon Falls, Rio Seco Falls and Marianne Falls. The Northern Range consists mainly of sedimentary rocks , schists and limestones ; portions at
374-420: The lush forests, making the Northern Range the only mountain range in the Caribbean to host such species. The hills are mostly forested, although deforestation and the formation of fire- savannahs is one of the major environmental concerns in Trinidad. On the summits of El Cerro del Aripo and El Tucuche, the vegetation is quite different from the lower montane forests. Elfin woodland and cloud forests cover
396-693: The shore of one of the Bays. The Boardwalk can be used as an exercise route for pedestrians or for young families who stroll or as a stepping stone to get to the water to swim for leisure or as part of a training regimen. Available in close proximity to the Boardwalk are Gazebos and Pedal Boats which are available for rent. There is also the Dancing Water Fountain, the Trees Vendor Plaza and Miniature Off Road Activities according to
418-630: The summits, and are home to the near endemic El Tucuche golden tree frog . 10°44′N 61°15′W / 10.733°N 61.250°W / 10.733; -61.250 Chaguaramas, Trinidad Chaguaramas ( / ˌ ʃ ɑː ɡ ə ˈ r ɑː m ə s / ) lies in the Northwest Peninsula of Trinidad west of Port of Spain ; the name is often applied to the entire peninsula, but is sometimes used to refer to its most developed area. The developed area in Chaguaramas starts at an Aloca aluminum manufacturing plant and dock, and ends at
440-509: The tone for newly engaged wonder! The UPick Farm "sells a wide range of fruits and vegetables (grown off-site) both local and imported". Also available at the UPick Farm are guided tours and field trips for primary and secondary school children. The Chaguaramas area also contains some dockside facilities, mostly for the transfer of bauxite ore between ship and shore, or from smaller boats to ocean-going vessels. The function of such docks
462-652: The week, the roadway is used as a training ground for persons who cycle in groups either for sport or as a part of a training session for a Tri-athalon. Mountain biking has grown in popularity and an extensive trail network has been developed in Tucker Valley. These trails are created and maintained by the local Mountain Bike community. The Chaguaramas Boardwalk was developed by the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) as part of its tourism developmental thrust. The Boardwalk stretches for approximately 1300 feet along
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#1732772020280484-596: The yacht at a pier or in a sheltered bay facility and visit the island. According to the CDA, the Gasparee Cave on Gasparee Island, along with the Salt Pond on Chacachacare and the Bellerand Heritage Park fall within the boundaries of Chaguaramas. Although Gasparee has been developed with housing facilities, to a large extent efforts have been made to preserve the birds on the island, through
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