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. Tobago also has a central spine of hills, rising to 549 meters (1,860 feet), with a flatter area 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'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.