Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago is an island nation in the Caribbean. It is known for its beautiful beaches, historic sites, and vibrant culture.
Trinidad and Tobago is an island nation in the Caribbean. It is known for its beautiful beaches, historic sites, and vibrant culture.
First colonized by the Spanish, Trinidad and Tobago came under British control in the early 19th century. The emancipation of enslaved people in 1834 disrupted the twin islands' sugar industry. Contract workers arriving from India between 1845 and 1917 augmented the labor force, which boosted sugar production as well as the cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export that remains the country's dominant industry. Trinidad and Tobago attained independence in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. The government is struggling to reverse a surge in violent crime.
Caribbean, islands bordering the northeastern coast of Venezuela, lying just off the coast of northeastern South America
11 00 N, 61 00 W
Central America and the Caribbean
total: 5,128 sq km
land: 4,768 sq km
water: 360 sq km
highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 83 m
tropical; hot and humid; rainy season (June to December); dry season (January to May)
mostly flat and rolling plains with hills and low mountains in the north and central parts of Trinidad; low, flat, limestone plateau in Tobago
petroleum, natural gas, fish, arable land
agricultural land: 18.91%
arable land: 6.68%
permanent crops: 3.72%
permanent pasture: 8.51%
forest: 44.31%
other: 36.78% (2023 est.)
total: 1,410,170 (2025 est.)
male: 708,677
female: 701,493
comparison rankings: total 156; male 156; female 156
East Indian 35.4%, African 34.2%, mixed 23.6%, other (including European, Chinese, Syrian/Lebanese) 6.8% (2011 est.)
English (official), Trinidadian Creole English, Tobagonian Creole English, Trinidadian Hindustani, Spanish
Protestant 32.1% (Pentecostal/Evangelical/Full Gospel 12%, Baptist 6.9%, Anglican 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 4.1%, Presbyterian/Congregational 2.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 21.6%, Hindu 18.2%, Muslim 5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.5%, other 8.4%, none 2.2%, unspecified 11.1% (2011 est.)
0-14 years: 20.04% (male 146,193/female 137,659)
15-24 years: 14.18% (male 103,569/female 96,947)
25-54 years: 43.55% (male 317,686/female 306,947)
55-64 years: 11.16% (male 78,123/female 77,406)
65 years and over: 11.07% (male 63,106/female 94,534) (2025 est.)
conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago
local long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
local short form: Trinidad and Tobago
etymology: name derived from the two largest islands, Trinidad and Tobago; "Trinidad" named by Christopher
Columbus in 1498 in honor of the Holy Trinity; "Tobago" possibly named after the tobacco plant or for its
resemblance to the shape of a tobacco pipe
unitary parliamentary republic
capital: Port of Spain
geographic coordinates: 10 39 N, 61 31 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: none
international dialing code: +1-868
internet country code: .tt
9 regions, 3 boroughs, 2 cities:
regions: Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro-Rio Claro, Penal-Debe, Princes Town, San Fernando,
Sangre Grande, Siparia, Tunapuna-Piarco
boroughs: Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortin
cities: Port of Spain, San Fernando
based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations