Trinidad

Trinidad is the larger island of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, located off the northeast coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea. It covers about 4,827 square kilometers and features the Northern Range mountains, coastal plains, wetlands, and Pitch Lake in La Brea. The island’s highest point is El Cerro del Aripo, at roughly 940 meters.

Port of Spain, on the northwest coast, is the administrative and commercial capital of the country, and the island hosts most of the energy industries, including oil refining and natural gas processing. The economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas, and the island serves as a regional energy hub.

Historically, Trinidad was inhabited by Arawak and Carib peoples before Spanish colonization in the 16th century. It became a British colony in the 18th century and joined the independent nation of Trinidad and Tobago in 1962.

Demographically, Trinidad has a diverse population with African, Indian, European, and Indigenous ancestry. English is the official language, with Trinidadian creole widely spoken. Major religious communities include Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and others.

Culturally, the island is famous for Carnival, calypso, soca, and the steelpan. Notable ecological sites include the Caroni Swamp, Nariva Swamp, and Asa Wright Nature Centre, which protect species such as the scarlet ibis. The Pitch Lake is a notable geological feature. The island is served by Piarco International Airport, which handles international and domestic flights, and a network of highways linking towns and the capital region.