Trinidad and Tobago is the Caribbean's most fascinating destination. You can sway in the rhythms of calypso and steelband or have a groove with the unforgettable Carnival experience. Trinidad and Tobago is actually two separate islands on the southernmost part of the Caribbean archipelago that seems to balance out each other in every aspect of existence. If Trinidad is buzzing with activity and strumming with modern energy, Tobago floats in a laid back way of life amidst its serene lagoons, beaches and coral reefs. Port of Spain is the capital city of Trinidad and Tobago and also the commercial centre point of the Caribbean region. San Fernando, Arima and Chaguanas are the other major cities in the island of Trinidad, whereas, Scarborough is the largest in Tobago.
Geographically, Trinidad and Tobago is a conglomeration of islands off the northeast frontiers of Venezuela. Situated near the conjunction point of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the country’s jurisdiction includes 21 smaller islands apart from these two lager ones. Naturally, the country has no land border to share with any country but coastal regions on all sides. The mainland of Trinidad and Tobago has its share of heights and fertile plain lands. The habitable and irrigational flat terrains of the East-West Corridor rises up to the Northern Ranges and reaches the peak at El Cerro del Aripo which is situated at 940 m above sea level. The Southern Ranges of the country are the most prosperous one with vast treasure of oil and natural gas deposits. Alluvial valleys, sandstones, shale and siltstones constitute the terrain of the country. Trinidad and Tobago displays typical sub tropical climatic conditions that are too hot to handle for the first half of the year and incessant rainfalls drench rest.

A seaside view on the North of Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago is considered to be more of a North American Nation than a South American one due to its Caribbean attachment. Whatever varied geographical or political identity it may be, historically it came in to existence when Christopher Columbus visited Trinidad in 1498. Primarily, the Arawaks tribes inhabited Trinidad and Carib Indians were settled in Tobago. Trinidad remained in Spanish possession for many decades but suffered numerous invasions by other European nations. Finally, it was ceded to Britain in 1802. The tussle of authority over Tobago went on for some time between Britain and France but ultimately the powerful British Empire won in 1814. Slavery was abolished in 1834. The period between 1845 and 1917 witnessed a huge influx of indentured workers from India and other surrounding regions to the shores of Trinidad and Tobago. In 1889 Trinidad and Tobago were made a single colony. Partial self-government was instituted in 1925, and from 1958 to 1962 the nation was part of the West Indies Federation. On Aug. 31, 1962, it became independent and on Aug. 1, 1976, Trinidad and Tobago became a republic, remaining within the Commonwealth.
Trinidad and Tobago is comparatively a small country but it possesses an enviable economic background. The country has well exploited its huge natural treasure of oil and natural gas to attain a prosperous financial condition. It suffered a set back when the oil prices worldwide took a nosedive in the 1980s but the fiscal policies survived by shifting its emphasis on natural gas production and export. These two are the mainstay of the economy now. Low inflation rate and high tourist turnover is the other two major contributors to Trinidad and Tobago’s healthy GDP. The country is an active member of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA-ALCA).

Pirates Bay in Tobago

Politically, Trinidad and Tobago follows a simple system without much complication. Emerging successful out of years of monarchical rule, the country now depicts a political set up that upholds the president and prime minister of the country as the practitioners of executive powers. The legislative rests on the members of the two houses of the bicameral parliament. The two houses are Senate with 31 seats and the House of Representatives with 36-member capacity. While former members are appointed by the president, the rest have to face the fate of universal suffrage in an interval of five years. The prime minister represents the political party with majority strength in the house and is appointed by the president. The president in turn is elected by an electoral body of the parliament consisting of House members of Trinidad and Tobago. The judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago is comprised of the Supreme Court of Judicature, the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals. The president of the country appoints the chief justice after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition while other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission. The local government bodies consist of nine Regional Corporations and five municipalities in Trinidad and the Tobago House of Assembly in Tobago.