Chaguaramas (pronounced, in the local English dialect, "shag-gah-rah-muss") lies in the Northwest Peninsula of Trinidad west of Port of Spain; the name is often applied to the entire peninsula, but is sometimes used to refer to its most developed area. The developed area in Chaguaramas starts at ALCOA and ends at the Army and Coast Guard camps on the mainland. In the description or context of "developed area" one excludes the five islands which are in various stages of development or redevelopment as of 2016. Most of the roadway in Chaguaramas lies close to the coastline and one can view the sea from the winding road. Chaguaramas is about 14 km from Port of Spain. Leasing of Chaguaramas to the United States The entire peninsula was leased to the United States in 1940 for the construction of a naval base, Naval Base Trinidad, under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement. The base was also used during the early 1960s as a BMEWS early warning radar site, as well as a missile tracking site on the U.S. Air Force Eastern Test Range. The base was scaled back in 1956 and the area was returned to Trinidad and Tobago control in 1963. Treaty of Chaguaramas and CARICOM Chaguaramas was the location slated for the construction of the capital of the short-lived West Indies Federation. It is also the place where the Treaty of Chaguaramas was signed, establishing CARICOM, the Caribbean Community and Common Market, in 1973. Activities and Places of Interest Dry forests The Chaguaramas Peninsula supports one of the few remaining areas of dry forest in western Trinidad. Cycling and kayaking On weekends groups of persons enter Chaguaramas to cycle on or kayak in rented equipment. During the week, the roadway is used as a training ground for persons who cycle in groups either for sport or as a part of a training session for a Tri-athalon. Mountain biking has grown in popularity and an extensive trail network has been developed in Tucker Valley. These trails are created and maintained by the local Mountain Bike community. The Chaguaramas Boardwalk Area The Chaguaramas Boardwalk was developed by the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) as part of its tourism developmental thrust. The Boardwalk stretches for approximately 1300 feet along the shore of one of the Bays. The Boardwalk can be used as an exercise route for pedestrians or for young families who stroll or as