Founded as the AmerindianMission of Savana Grande, the town was renamed after the 1880 visit by Queen Victoria's grandsons, Prince Albert and Prince George. The Princes each planted a Poui tree at the Anglican church in the area, which still survives to this day. The sugar industry that had helped to build the economy of Princes Town was closed in 2003, leaving hundreds of workers on the breadline. With the closure of the industry, there was a decline in activities in the town as well as the surrounding estates. In the area of culture, the early East Indian families brought to Cedar Hill Village, a village on the outskirts of the town centre, the festival of Ramleela. Cedar Hill is generally regarded as the first village where the cultural practice began. The amphitheatre in which the festival is held ranks among the best in Trinidad for open-air theatrical performances. The lands on which the amphitheatre is located were donated to the Ramleela organisation of Cedar Hill by Usine Ste Madeleine. Every year, thousands of patrons descend on this site to take part in the celebrations. Princes Town still remains the centre of stickfighting, which is part of the Carnival celebrations. Every year on January 20, an observance called Princes Town Day is held in the town under the auspices of the Princes Town Regional Corporation.
Geography
Princes Town is located in south Trinidad, east of San Fernando, west of Rio Claro and north of Moruga. Consequently, it serves as a major administrative centre for a substantial area of south Trinidad, and has developed a reputation as a major shopping town for the southern region. Princes Town is also known for the famous Ali family, who set up many established "doubles" institutes, a famed local delicacy. One of the schools in the area is St. Stephen's College, which is administered jointly by the Ministry of Education and the Anglican Board. The school was started in the late 1950s and was known then as Bishop Anstey. St. Stephen's College has the distinction of having an amphitheatre style auditorium, which is fringed at the rear by the main school block in a semicircle fashion. Major landmarks include the Yolande Pompey Recreation Ground.
Climate
Princes Town has a tropical monsoon climate and a tropical savanna climate. Daily highs are about 33°C while daily lows are about 28°C, and they remain fairly constant throughout the year with very little variance. There is medium precipitation throughout the year, with a dry season from February to April. The weather is also very cloudy, with less than 1500 sunshine hours each year.
Politics
The town of Princes Town is one of the 41 Parliamentary seats that are contested for the General Elections in Trinidad and Tobago. The current Member of Parliament for this constituency is Mr. Barry Shiva Padarath, elected to office in 2015. The growth of the town has since caused it to be one of the constituencies that were split in 2007 to make 41 constituencies for the next general election. Princes Town is also the seat of government for the Princes Town Regional Corporation, and was formerly the seat of the County of Victoria.
