Size:	1,844.7 hectares
Population:	62,000
Boundaries:	North - Guaracara River
	South - Oropouche River
	East - Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway
	West - Gulf of Paria
People:	Mixed
Language:	English
Motto:	“Sanitas Fortis” (In a Healthy Environment We Will Find Strength)

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Interpretation of the City Logo

Sun Like Images: Can represent either the Steelpan or Tassa. They also represent togetherness.

The Hill: Nothing is insurmountable. Also the Hill around which the City is built.

Oil Storage Tank: Productivity and the Oil Industry.

House: Reflects shelter for all races

Sugar Cane Stalk: Represents the Sugar Industry & San Fernando's historical & contemporary role as a centre of agricultural activity.

Boat: Represents the humble beginnings of the City as a fishing village.

Sanitas Fortis: In a healthy environment, we will find strength

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Political Administration

The San Fernando City Corporation is a body corporate, and the powers of the Corporation are exercised by its Council through its staff.

The functions of the Corporation are delegated by the Central Government.

The Corporation falls under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Cabinet to whom responsibility for local government has been assigned.

The history of local government administration dates back to 1845, when a Town Council was established and the Municipality of San Fernando came into being. Some eight years later, she was elevated to a Borough and her first Mayor was Dr. Robert Johnstone. San Fernando continued to blossom and as a result of the income she generated, she earned the title of "the Industrial Capital" of Trinidad and Tobago.

The City's wealth, together with the sustained level of economic activity, contributed to an increased sense of importance for San Fernando, culminating in its elevation :o City status on 18th November 1988. With this elevation, a new crest was designed for the City, incorporating all the major aspects of life in San Fernando. The crest includes the sea, the hills, a fishing boat, cane stalk, oil tank, house and two discs.

Within the first year of citihood, San Fernando was twinned with the town of Trinite, Martinique and once again, ties with the French were established.

The City is divided into nine electoral districts, each represented by a Councillor.

The nine Councillors and three (appointed) Aldermen all sit on the San Fernando City Council, chaired by the Mayor.

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History

The earliest inhabitants of the town (the aboriginal Indians) called it 'Anaparima' which some translate to mean a 'single hill' and others 'a place without water'.

Maybe the first translation 'single hill' is more appropriate, as there exists a hill in the centre of the City. This hill it is claimed, was once the home of the Waraho Indians. Legend also has it that one Waraho hero, Haburi who was fleeing with his mother from the frog woman of Orinoco, entered Trinidad, and they were transformed into the Mountain Anaparima. It is believed that this caused Warahos to continue visiting San Fernando until the 1900's.

The then town of San Fernando was christened San Fernando de Naparima by Governor Don Jose Maria Chacon in 1784, after recovering approval from the King of Spain. This was a gesture of respect to the infant son of the King. With the passage of time, 'de Naparima' has been dropped.

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Physical Characteristics

The City of San Fernando is one of the two cities which exist in the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is situated in the South Western area of the island of Trinidad and the Gulf of Paria gently washes upon its shores. The Gulf eparates Trinidad from the South American mainland and on a clear day, one can see the coastline of Venezuela from San Fernando.

A significant feature of the San Fernando skyline is the San Fernando Hill, now a miniature of her former self, as eager quarry operators extracted her soil until 1977. As a result of this, her natural flora and wildlife was lost, but what remains today, offers one of the most panoramic views of the City, the Gulf of Paria and environs.

The Hill was declared a National Park in 1980, and attempts were made to restore some of the vegetation and install facilitates for residents and tourists. These include a children's playground and picnic tables. During the months of January to May, it is indeed a pleasure to see people flying kites from its summit.

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Economic History

Apart from generating considerable rev­enue on its own, most of the other in­come created in the southern areas of the island passed through San Fernando. For instance, many years ago, sugar produced at the Usine Ste. Madeline factory was ex­ported via the Cipero Tramway in San Fernando.

Other forms of agricultural produce grown in the rich and fertile southern districts also passed through this illustrious City on their way to North Trinidad and other Caribbean islands. It must be noted too, that San Fernando once had fertile cocoa and coffee fields.

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Scenic Beauty

Apart from the panoramic view extended from atop the San Fernando Hill, another scenic place to visit is Harris Promenade, named after Lord Harris. It houses City Hall, the Magistrates Court, Supreme Court, Police Station, three churches and two schools. The Promenade also has a cluster of flowering trees and, at certain times of the year it takes on the appearance of either a yellow or orange coloured carpet, created by fallen flowers. There is also a band stand, a statue of Mahatma Ghandi and the famous "last train" engine on the Promenade.

The extreme ends of this area give two different views. The eastern end houses the Carnegie Free Library which was opened in 1919. The Library stands in an area where seven roads meet. This junction point is commonly called the 'Library Corner', and is full of life and movement. The western end hosts the San Fernando General Hospital with her imposing wings and breathtaking view of the Gulf of Paria.

Two other interesting features of the City also stand out. One is Skinner Park, which was given to the people of San Fernando for recreational purposes and which now hosts major sporting and cultural activities. The other is the Naparima Bowl, which can be called the home of the performing arts in San Fernando.

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City Expansion

The nearby oil refinery at Pointe-a-Pierre has traditionally played a significant role in the development of San Fernando.

With the extending of the City's boundaries in 1991, this refinery, the largest in the Caribbean, is now adjacent to the City's northern boundary.

The extended City now includes the suburbs of Marabella, Bel Air, Gulf View and Cocoyea, increasing the population by over ten thousand (10,000) persons.

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History of Carnegie Library

This building has carved out a name for itself. Library corner has served as the "Meeting Place" for decades since it opened its doors on March 31, 1919.

The story behind the establishment of this well-known and esteemed institution began in May 1909, when the then Mayor of San Fernando Mr. J.D. Hobson, approached Mr. Andrew Carnegie, Scottish-born American philanthropist, for aid in establishing a library.

Two years later, on July 15, 1911, Mr. Carnegie, in true philanthropic spirit, gave the Borough Council 2,500 pounds for the purpose of building a free public library. In November that same year, the Council granted the Library Committee the site, which was then occupied by the Central Market for the erection of the library.

In August 1912, Mr. E.R. Gammon, architect, attached to the Public Works Department, was appointed to "make contract drawings and specifications for the Carnegie Library Building". On completion of this stage of the project, the Building Committee, which comprised Messrs. J.C. Lewis, George Eversley, Thomas Huckerby and F. de la Bastide, awarded the tender to Mr. Henry Sabbath Adams for the sum of 2,300 pounds.

Three years later, in March 1916, the Borough Council took the responsibility of erecting the library building. In May of the same year the Ordinance (No. 15 of 1916) was proclaimed to establish the Carnegie Free Library. Following this, the first Management Committee was appointed in September 1918.

This committee comprised then, Mayor Hugh McLelland, Hon. J.D. Hobson, Hon. Sir Norman Lamont, Rev. F.G. Coffin, Messrs. C. Forbes Todd, T.M. Kelshall, L.A. Villain, R.M. Scott, Hon. Secretary and Beverly Murray. Then came the appointment of the first librarian, Mrs. V. St. Omer, in December 0f 1918. This was at the end of the First World War.

Interestingly enough, the library, after it's official opening in March 1919, also became the storehouse for more than books. A captured German machine-gun was housed in the building in September 1919.

To appreciate the intricate concrete work, the visitor should view the building from High Street. The main entrance is welcoming in design. At the top, carved in concrete is AD 1916.

Andrew Carnegie died in August 1919, but his contribution to San Fernando will continue to live on through the affable and efficient staff who works behind those brick walls.

Source: San Fernando - "An Historical Mile"

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Towards the Future

Although rich in history, the City is now crying out for modernization in several aspects, and a resurgence of economic activity will go a long way in restoring prosperity and vibrant social life to the City.

San Fernando or 'Sando' as it is so commonly referred to, is known for her "southern hospitality", which is generously extended to all visitors.