Geography of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago are the southernmost islands of the Caribbean archipelago, and are geologically an extension of the South American continent.

Trinidad lies 11 kilometers (km) off the northeast coast of Venezuela and 130 kilometers (km) south of the Grenadines.

Tobago is located 30 kilometers northeast of Trinidad, separated by a channel 37 kilometers wide.

Trinidad

Location: Latitude 10 1/2°N, Longitude 61 1/2° W
Physical Area: Rectangular in shape, measures 60 km long and 80 km at its maximum breadth comprising a total area of 4828 square kilometers

Map of Trinidad

Major Cities: Port of Spain (capital), San Fernando
Major Towns: Arima, Point Fortin, Chaguanas

Trinidad is traversed by three distinct mountain ranges. The Northern Range, which rises into two peaks, the highest being El Cerro del Aripo ascending to 940 metres and the El Tucuche which reaches 936 meters above sea level. The Central Range which crosses the island is a low-lying range with swampy areas and its maximum elevation is 325 meters. The Caroni Plain extends southward and separates the Northern Range and Central Range. The Southern Range consists of a broken line of hills with a maximum elevation of 305 meters. In contrast, you will find flat lands, mostly agricultural, in the Central Plains, while Southern Trinidad is full of gently undulating hillsides.

There are numerous rivers and streams on the island, the most significant being the Ortoire River which is 50 kilometers long and extends eastward into the Atlantic and the 40 meters Caroni River, reaching westward into the Gulf of Paria.

Tobago

Location: Latitude 11°N, Longitude 60°W
Physical Area: Fish-shaped, measures 42 km long and 10 km wide, with a total area of 300 square kilometers.

Map of Tobago

Major Towns: Scarborough, Roxborough, Charlotteville

Tobago is mountainous and the Main Ridge is 29 kilometers long with elevations up to 640 meters. The southwestern tip of the island has a coral platform and has a protected reserve area. Tobago's topography consists mainly of volcanic rock, which is in stark contrast to its Caribbean blue waters. The coastline is indented with numerous bays, beaches and narrow coastal plains.

Trinidad and Tobago comprises 5128 square kilometers, about one and a half times the size of the state of Rhode Island. The territory enjoys a pleasant maritime tropical climate influenced by the northeast trade winds. The average maximum temperature is 32°C, (89°F) with Tobago being slightly cooler. The islands lie outside the hurricane belt.