Trinidad and Tobago, island country of the southeastern West Indies.
It
consists of two main islands—Trinidad and Tobago—and several smaller
islands. Forming the two southernmost links in the Caribbean chain, Trinidad
and Tobago lie close to the continent of South America, northeast of Venezuela
and northwest of Guyana. Trinidad, by far the larger of the two main islands,
has an area of about 1,850 square miles (4,800 square km). It is 7 miles (11
km) from the Venezuelan coast at its nearest point and is separated from it by
the Gulf of Paria and two narrow channels, where there are several small
islands and rocks. Tobago, much smaller, with an area of about 115 square
miles (300 square km), lies 20 miles (30 km) to the northeast of Trinidad.
Extending diagonally from southwest to northeast, Tobago is about 30 miles
(50 km) long and more than 10 miles (16 km) across at its widest point. Little
Tobago lies about a mile off Tobago’s northeastern coast. Also called Bird of
Paradise Island, Little Tobago was once noted as the only wild habitat of the
greater bird of paradise outside of New Guinea; however, the bird is no longer
found there.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago achieved independence from the United Kingdom in
1962 and obtained membership in the Commonwealth and the United Nations
that same year. It became a republic in 1976. The capital of Trinidad and
Tobago is Port of Spain, located on the northwestern coast of Trinidad.
Quick Facts
See article: flag of Trinidad and Tobago
Audio File: National anthem of Trinidad and Tobago
Head Of Government: Prime Minister: Keith Rowley
Capital: Port of Spain
Population: (2025 est.) 1,369,000
Currency Exchange Rate: 1 USD equals 6.802 Trinidadian dollar
Head Of State: President: Christine Kangaloo
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Land
Relief and drainage
Physical features of Trinidad and Tobago
Physiographically, the islands represent an extension of the South American
mainland. The outstanding physical feature of the island of Trinidad is its
Northern Range, a continuation of the coastal ranges of the Andes Mountains
in Venezuela. The range runs east-west at an average elevation of about 1,500
feet (460 metres), rising to 3,084 feet (940 metres) at Mount Aripo (El Cerro
del Aripo), the country’s highest peak. The Northern Range is the site of a
large number of waterfalls, the most spectacular of which are the Blue Basin
Falls and the Maracas Falls, both 298 feet (91 metres) high. On the southern
side of the range, foothills with an elevation of approximately 500 feet (150
metres) descend to the Northern Plain.
Running across the centre of the island, from southwest to northeast, is the
Central Range, the highest point of which is Mount Tamana (1,009 feet [308
metres]). A third row of mainly low hills, the Southern Range, adds further
variety to the mostly flat or undulating surface of Trinidad.
The three mountain ranges determine the island’s drainage pattern. Rivers are
numerous but short, the longest being the Ortoire in the south and the Caroni
in the north. In low-lying areas swamps can be found; among them are the
Caroni Swamp in the northwest and clusters along the eastern (notably the
Nariva Swamp) and southern coasts.
Britannica Quiz
Which Country Is Larger? Quiz
An oil-bearing belt occupies the southern one-fourth of the island, extending
west into the Gulf of Paria and east into the Atlantic Ocean. Gas and water
seepages give rise to mud volcanoes of various types, the best-known of which
is called the Devil’s Woodyard. In the southwest of the island is the deep
asphalt deposit known as Pitch Lake.
The island of Tobago is physiographically an extension of the Venezuelan
coastal range and the Northern Range of Trinidad. Its dominant feature is the
Main Ridge, which runs from northeast to southwest, rising to heights of
about 1,800 feet (550 metres). The ridge slopes more gently to the southwest
onto a coral plain. The coral formation has given rise to a number of reefs, one
of which, Buccoo Coral Reef, is known for its marine life and is popular for
scuba diving and snorkeling. Over the years, the reef and its marine life have
suffered serious damage from pollution and tourist activity. Tobago has only a
few short streams.
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Climate
Trinidad and TobagoRain shaft (foreground) and sunset on Man of War Bay, island of Tobago,
Trinidad and Tobago.
The climate of Trinidad and Tobago is tropical, with high relative humidity.
The coolest months are January and February, when the average minimum
temperature is about 68 °F (20 °C). The warmest months are April, May, and
October, which have an average maximum temperature of about 89 °F (32
°C). In general, mean temperatures range between 77 °F (25 °C) in February
and 85 °F (29 °C) in April. Temperatures vary significantly between day and
night, and the climate along the coast is tempered by sea breezes.
There is a main dry season from January to May and a lesser dry season
(Petite Carême, or Indian Summer) in September and October. The prevailing
winds are the northeast trades. The islands are outside the main hurricane
zone, but Tobago occasionally is struck by disastrous hurricanes (e.g., in 1847
and 1963).
