Trinidad & Tobago - Geography

The country, the most southerly of the West Indian island states, situated 11.2km off the Venezuelan coast, consists of two islands: Trinidad and Tobago.

Area: 5,128 sq km: Trinidad (4,828 sq km) and Tobago (300 sq km).

Main towns: Port of Spain (capital, pop. 49,800 in 2006), Chaguanas (73,100), San Juan (greater Port of Spain, 57,100), San Fernando (56,600), Arima (greater Port of Spain, 35,600), Marabella (greater San Fernando, 26,700), Point Fortin (18,900), Tunapuna (greater Port of Spain, 18,000), Sangre Grande (16,300) and Princes Town (11,000) on Trinidad; Scarborough (4,600) on Tobago.

Topography: Trinidad and Tobago are unique among Caribbean islands in that only 10,000 years ago they were a part of the South American mainland; the geology and rich flora and fauna are closely akin to Venezuela. A mountain range runs along the north coast, rising to Trinidad’s highest point, El Cirro del Aripo (940m); there are rolling hills in the south and the flat Caroni Plain lies in between. Trinidad is well supplied with rivers, some of which end in mangrove swamps on the coast. The Pitch Lake in the south-west is the world’s largest natural reservoir of asphalt. A string of small islands off the north-west peninsula are the remnants of the land-link with the continent. There are sandy beaches in the north and east, and Trinidad has many excellent harbours. Tobago also has a central mountain range descending to a plain in the south-west and many fine beaches.

Climate: Tropical, tempered by north-east trade winds, with a temperature range of 22–31°C and an average annual rainfall of 1,631mm. The dry season is January to May and the wet season June to December, with a short dry sunny season called the Petit Careme during September and October.

Environment: The most significant environmental issues are water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; and soil erosion.

Vegetation: Forest covers 44% of the land area, having declined at 0.3% p.a. 1990–2005. The forest is tropical evergreen: high in the mountains are mountain mangrove, tree-ferns and small palms; on the lower slopes, hog-plums and sand-box; and in the fresh and brackish swamps, mangrove and gable-palms. The most important agricultural areas are in the central plain of Trinidad. Arable land comprises 15% and permanent cropland 9% of the total land area.

Wildlife: There are many more species of birds and butterflies than on any other Caribbean island, including 15 varieties of hummingbird (131 species of birds and only one endangered, 2002). There is a wildlife sanctuary in the Northern Range on Trinidad at El Tucuche with agouti, golden tree-frogs and more than 400 species of birds, and the Caroni Swamp reserve is the home of thousands of scarlet ibis. The government has proposed a National Parks and Wildlife Bill, which aims to protect endangered species of which there are now relatively very few.

Transport: There are 8,320km of roads, 51% paved. Port of Spain and Point Lisas are the main ports. Point Lisas deep-water port on the west coast serves the petro-chemical industries. Other terminals are at Pointe-à-Pierre, Point Fortin and Guayaguayare (petroleum); Claxton (cement); Tembladora (bauxite); Brighton (asphalt); Chaguaramas (dry-docks); and Scarborough on Tobago. Tourist cruiseships dock in Scarborough and Port of Spain.

Piarco International Airport, 25km east of Port of Spain, is a major regional centre for passenger and cargo traffic and aviation-related industries. Crown Point International Airport on Tobago can handle wide-bodied intercontinental aircraft.