About Trinidad & Tobago

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LOCATION

Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island unitary state situated at the southernmost base of the Caribbean Archipelago off the northern edge of South America, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles. 

Trinidad is separated from Venezuela by the 11 kilometre straits of the Gulf of Paria.

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

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, and Charlotteville

CLIMATE

Trinidad and Tobago's climate is tropical, with average maximum temperatures of 32°C, (89°F). There are two seasons annually, the dry season for the first six months of the year, and the rainy season in the second half of the year.

SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

Trinidad and Tobago follows the Westminster model of Government and upholds the traditions of parliamentary democracy it inherited from its colonizers Great Britain. The country gained independence in 1962 and became a Republic in 1976. It is a member of the British Commonwealth.

General elections are held at least every 5 years; the democratic transfer of power is peaceful and routine.

Legislative power lies with the House of Representatives with 41 elected members, and the Senate with 31 members appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition; nine of these members are independents.

In Tobago there is the Tobago House of Assembly, where members are elected and are ultimately responsible for the administration of the island, and for the implementation of policies that are referred by Parliament.

Local Public Holidays

Public holidays are authorised by law and limit work or official business on those dates. Therefore all government offices, banks, and most businesses are closed on public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago.

New Year’s Day – January 1st

Carnival Monday* – At a date to be determined

Carnival Tuesday* – At a date to be determined

Shouter Baptist Liberation Day – March 30th

Good Friday – At a date to be determined

Easter Monday – At a date to be determined

Arrival Day – May 30th

Corpus Christi – At a date to be determined

Labour Day – June 19th

Emancipation Day – August 1st

Independence Day – August 31st

Republic Day – September 24th

Christmas Day – December 25th

Boxing Day – December 26th

Divali – At a date to be determined

Eid-Ul-Fitr – At a date to be determined

It is important to note that:

• Good Friday and Easter Monday are observed as public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago. However since they are determined by the Christian calendar, the date for each public holiday varies from year to year.
  
• The Muslim festival of Eid–ul–Fitr and the Hindu Festival of Divali are observed as public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago. However, since they are determined by the respective Muslim and Hindu religious organisations, the calendar date for each public holiday varies from year to year. 
  
• When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday immediately following. When two public holidays fall on the same day, the following day is also given as a public holiday.
  
• *Most businesses are closed on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, even though these days are not public holidays. These date precede Ash Wednesday which is also determined by the Christian calendar and thus varies from year to year.
  
• At the discretion of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, any other date may also be declared a public holiday.