About Trinidad and Tobago
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Welcome to the true Caribbean!
Trinidad and Tobago is a dual-island nation in the southern Caribbean, located a mere 7 miles off the coast of Venezuela.
Life in Trinidad is much more fast-paced than in Tobago, which is more laidback and serene. Trinidad is where the action is – festivals, shopping, nightlife and business. Tobago is all about sitting back and allowing the sun to caress your skin as you relax on its white-sand beaches, waves gently lapping at your feet; or exploring the many fantastic dive sites around the island. Both islands boast great biodiversity, just waiting to be discovered in our dense rainforests, rivers, oceans, bamboo groves and mangroves, which abound with hundreds of species of flora and fauna, including 450 types of birds.
Trinidad is home to 17 species of hummingbirds, which explains why its earliest inhabitants named the island, Iere – the Land of the Hummingbird.
'Trinibagonians' are also proud of our hospitality and the unique mixture of different cultures which have resulted from our animated history. After its discovery by Columbus in 1498, the islands were a sought after bone of contention between the colonial powers of Spain, France, Great Britain and the Netherlands. Columbus gave Trinidad its name, which means 'Trinity' in Spanish. In 1889, the islands of Trinidad and Tobago were consolidated under British control.
Comprising a mix of descendants of people from American Indian, African, East Indian, European, Middle Eastern and Chinese origin, Trinidad and Tobago’s rich heritage is reflected in our vibrant culture through our food, festivals, customs and general way of life. Our most famous festival is the annual Carnival, the second largest Carnival in the World. The biggest part of its allure is that anyone can purchase a masquerader’s costume and participate in the 2 days of revelry on the streets. Both islands have developed reputations for incredible fusion cuisine, which reflect our multicultural heritage.