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 (both on the Trinidad Southern Main Road). To the east of Couva is Balmain. To the west of Couva is the road to Waterloo and Carli Bay, which are located on the Gulf Of Paria.

History

The first British map of Trinidad, made in 1797 after the island was surrendered by Spain, suggested the existence of a river in the area now known as Couva called "Rio de Cuba". Over time, perhaps due to the Spanish "B" having a sound similar to that of the letter "V" in English, the river became known as "Rio de Couva" which was eventually translated as "Couva River". British settlement of what is now referred to as Couva began a little to the north of the mouth of this river.

For many years, the village was little more than a clearing in a sugarcane field. The population was mainly indentured workers of Indian origin with a smaller number of former African slaves and numbered no more than a few hundred. This all changed with the arrival of the railway to Couva in 1880. By 1921, it had grown to a population of 2,667 but, in the decade leading up to 1931, this number fell to 1,895.

Present Status

Couva has continued to grow in size with the national census recording a figure of 3,572 persons in 1980. Historically, the majority of its people have worked on the nearby sugar estates but, recently, many residents have found employment with the oil refinery at Pointe-a-Pierre, only eight miles away. Additionally, others have found jobs at the industrial estate located in Point Lisas.

The busiest intersection in Couva is Isaac Junction, which is home to the popular nightclub Backstage and the Couva Shopping Complex, which includes the JTA Supermarket, and the local library. Couva has become a major commercial centre, serving as the administrative centre of the Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation, but it has declined in importance as the borough of Chaguanas has boomed. Culturally, the town is the home of Couva Joylanders Steel Orchestra, a group well-known for its varied repertoire and community projects. It is also the setting of Derek Walcott's play Beef, No Chicken.

Air Services

There is also an airstrip located on the outskirts of the town called the Camden Base. It handles helicopters as well as light aircraft and has a 4000 ft x 50 ft, paved runway. It is the main operating base of both National Helicopter Services Limited and Briko Air Services. Deo, rajiv being its best mechanic,my brisco batch .

References

• Anthony, Michael (1988). Towns and Villages of Trinidad and Tobago. Circle Press. Port of Spain, Trinidad. ISBN 0-0097-6806-8. 
• Anthony, Michael (2001). Historical Dictionary of Trinidad and Tobago. Scarecrow Press, Inc. Lanham, Maryland, and London. ISBN 0-8108-3173-2. 

Coordinates: 10°25′N 61°27′W / 10.417°N 61.45°W / 10.417; -61.45