Arima

The Royal Borough of Arima (population 35,000) is the fourth largest town in Trinidad and Tobago. Located in eastern Trinidad, 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 priests as a Mission to convert the Amerindian population to Christianity.

Arima was petitioned for municipal status by Queen Victoria as part of her Golden Jubilee in 1887. This was granted the following year and Arima became a Royal Borough on August 1, 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.