Overview of Trinidad and Tobago

Quick Overview

Located opposite Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago (or Trinidad and Tobago) are the southernmost islands in the Caribbean. A true cultural mosaic, nowhere else in the region will you find such a mix of races: Black, Indian, mixed-race, Chinese, Lebanese, European, South American, and even a few rare descendants of the Carib Indians. Of the two islands, separated by just a few dozen kilometres, Trinidad is the larger at 4,748 km² and home to over 95% of the total population, while its neighbour covers just 300 km² with a little over 60,000 inhabitants. However, it is the latter that is the more tourist-oriented of the two. Oil, natural gas, and some agricultural products (sugar, cocoa, rum, etc.) are the country’s main resources, along with income from tourism, which is relatively recent on the Caribbean scale.

Key Facts

• Location: in the Caribbean, northeast of Venezuela.

• Latitude/longitude: 11.00' N, 61.00' W.

• Local time: Heure : 7512

• Capital: Port of Spain.

• Nature of the state: Commonwealth republic.

• Official language: English.

• Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar.

• Population: 1,215,527 inhabitants (2018).

• Area: 5,128 km².

• Density: 237 inhabitants/km².

• Highest point: El Cerro del Aripo (940 m).

• Lowest point: sea level.

• Coastline: 362 km.

• Driving: on the left.

• Flag: [drapeau: Trinité-et-Tobago]

Tourism

The archipelago boasts two major tourist attractions: a world-renowned carnival on Trinidad and beautiful beaches with remarkable marine life on Tobago.

Nevertheless, Trinidad and Tobago is not one of the region’s top tourist destinations, as the sector only developed relatively recently. The country traditionally welcomes fewer than half a million visitors per year (375,000 in 2018), primarily from North America, with nearly one in two visitors coming from the USA or the UK. Moreover, tourist activity is mainly concentrated around Southwest Coast of Tobago near Pigeon Point and Crown Point.

Travel Essentials

• Destination: for beginner travellers.

• By air: France–Port of Spain.

• Entry requirements: passport + return ticket.

• Currency to bring: US dollar.

• Exchange rate:

• Daily "backpacker" budget: from 45 to 65 € per person.

• Best for accommodation: guest houses.

• Best for getting around: buses and minibuses.

• Risks: relatively low in terms of health and fairly low in terms of safety.

• Best period for climate/crowds/prices: from January to May for climate, though the carnival period (February) remains the peak of the high season.

• Interests (out of ★★★★): Nature ★★/ ★★★; Adventure ⊘/ ★; Culture ★★; Relaxation/Holidays ★★★★.

Useful Addresses

Tourist Office: online only (in English).

Socio-Economic Statistics

• "Quality of life": 69/188 (rank in 2018)

• GDP per capita: $31,300 (2017)

• Average monthly income: $1,672 (2014)

• Inflation: +1.9% (2017)

• "Official" unemployment: 4.9% (2017)

• Population below the poverty line: 20% (2014)

• Life expectancy: 73.4 years (2018)

• Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: -5.9 (2017)

• Population growth: -0.23% (2018)

• Literacy rate: 99% (2016)

• Urban population: 53.2% (2018)

• Press freedom: 39/180 (rank in 2018)

• Political regime: Flawed democracy (43/167 in 2018)

Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook