Why in news?
Trinidad and Tobago was in news recently.
Location and general information
- Trinidad and Tobago is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean, lying between 10° 2′ N and 11° 12′ N latitude and 60° 30′ W and 61° 56′ W longitude.
- It comprises two main islands – Trinidad (area ≈ 4,768 km²) and Tobago (≈ 300 km²) – and several smaller islets (e.g., Chacachacare, Monos, Huevos, Gaspar Grande, Little Tobago and Saint Giles Island).
- The capital is Port of Spain on the north‑western coast of Trinidad. The largest city is Chaguanas. The country lies just 11 km off the coast of Venezuela across the Columbus Channel.
- The population is ethnically diverse, with significant Indian, African, mixed and other communities. English is the official language, and Trinidad and Tobago Creole is widely spoken.
Physical geography
- Mountains: Trinidad features three main ranges. The Northern Range, an extension of the Venezuelan Andes, runs across the north; its highest point is El Cerro del Aripo (940 m). The Central Range forms low hills (up to 307 m). The Southern Range is a series of low hills across the south.
- Rivers and wetlands: Major rivers include the Ortoire, Caroni and Oropouche. The Caroni Swamp and Nariva Swamp are important wetland ecosystems. Pitch Lake, near La Brea, is one of the world’s largest natural asphalt deposits. Tobago is known for coral reefs such as Buccoo Reef.
- Climate: Trinidad and Tobago has a tropical maritime climate with a dry season (January–May) and a rainy season (June–December). Temperatures range between 24 °C and 32 °C. The islands lie south of the main hurricane belt but occasionally experience storms; Hurricane Flora struck Tobago in 1963.
Biodiversity
- The islands lie on the continental shelf of South America, so their flora and fauna resemble those of Venezuela more than other Caribbean islands. Ecosystems include rainforests, mangroves, savannas and coral reefs.
- Endemic species and migratory birds make the islands important for conservation. Tobago’s Main Ridge Forest Reserve is considered the oldest legally protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere.
This concludes the digest of key current‑affairs topics from 1 and 2 July 2025. The articles aim to explain complex subjects in simple language, emphasise historical context and encourage aspirants to think critically about policy issues.