Trinidad & Tobago are the southernmost Caribbean islands, only 10km (seven miles) off the coast of Venezuela and geologically an extension of South America . The two islands are 33km (21 miles) apart.

Trinidad is half forested, with a mountain range running along the north coast (the highest point is 940 meters, 3,085 feet); there is a flat central plain, and rolling hills in the south. Trinidad was first "discovered" in 1498 by Christopher Columbus on his third voyage to the New World . From this time until 1797, Trinidad remained under Spanish rule. In 1797, British forces overwhelmed the Spaniards on Trinidad and claimed the island. In 1802 Trinidad was declared a British colony.

Tobago also has a central spine of hills, rising to 549 meters (1,860 feet), with a flatter area in the south. Tobago's history was quite different, with ownership changing hands from France to Spain to Holland to Britain as many as 33 times. In 1814 it too became a British colony.

The two islands were administratively linked in 1889 and in 1890 they were politically linked. Upon earning the status of a Republic in 1976, the new country became the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad & Tobago gained independence in 1962 and became a Republic in 1976.

The national capital is Port of Spain; Tobago's capital is Scarborough. Other major urban areas in Trinidad are San Fernando in the (south), Chaguanas (central) and Arima (east). Trinidad is 4,828 sq. km. (1,864 sq. miles.); Tobago 300 sq. km. (116 sq. miles). There are about 1.3 million people in Trinidad & Tobago, with roots in many parts of the world: Africa, India , Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and China.