General Information
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Geography
Trinidad and Tobago are the southernmost islands of the Caribbean archipelago, and are geologically an extension of the South American continent.
Trinidad is separated from Venezuela by the 11 kilometre straits of the Gulf of Paria.
Trinidad
Location: Latitude 10 1/2°N, Longitude 61 1/2° W
Physical Area: Rectangular in shape, measures 60 km by 80 km.
Total Area: 4828 square kilometres
Major Cities: Port of Spain (capital), San Fernando
Major Towns: Arima, Point Fortin, Chaguanas
Trinidad possesses vast tracts of rich rain forests in the Northern Range, with the highest peak, El Cerro del Aripo, ascending to a height of 940 metres above sea level. In contrast, you will find flat lands, mostly agricultural, in the Central Plains, while Southern Trinidad is full of gently undulating hillsides.
Tobago
Location: Latitude 11°N, Longitude 60°W
Physical Area: Fish-shaped, measures 42 km) by 10 km.
Total Area: 300 square kilometres
Major Towns: Scarborough (capital), Roxborough, Charlotteville
Tobago's eastern interior rises steeply into tall peaks with lower lying lands that include a protected reserve area. Tobago's topography consists mainly of volcanic rock, which is in stark contrast to its Caribbean blue waters.
Trinidad and Tobago comprises 5128 square kilometres, about one and a half times the size of the state of Rhode Island. The territory enjoys a tropical climate with average maximum temperatures of 32°C, (89°F). Tobago also experiences cool temperatures, owing to the more constant north east trade winds.