Independence Square lies near to southern end of
Port of Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago. Formerly named
Marine Square, it was re-named in honour of Trinidad and Tobago's
independence from the
United Kingdom in
1962. The Square runs from east to west and is bounded on the north side by King Street (the southern street bears the name of the square). The
Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception lies at the eastern end of the Square (although the roadways bounding the square continue past the cathedral). The western portion of the Square forms the
Brian Lara Promenade. The square was constructed on reclaimed land at the waterfront and was originally called
Plaza de la Marina. When the British captured Trinidad in 1797 they translated the name to Marine Square.
The tallest buildings in the country, the Nicholas Tower and the Eric Williams Plaza are located on the southern side of Independence Square.
References
- Anthony, Michael (2001). Historical Dictionary of Trinidad and Tobago. Scarecrow Press, Inc. Lanham, Md., and London. ISBN 0-8108-3173-2.