Once an English colony, the island state of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, located on the border between the Atlantic and the Caribbean, near Venezuela, combines two large islands of the same name and many small ones.
This article will tell you about this amazing country, its geographical location, amazing nature, climate and attractions.
Trinidad Island: Geography
Being part of the Antilles archipelago, Trinadat and Tobago occupy part of the continental shelf of South America and are separated from the mainland only by straits that have traditionally exotic names - Boca del Serpiente and Boca del Dragon. The area of Trinidad - a very solid and largest in the archipelago (length 80 and width 59 km) - is 4768 km 2 . An island, a neighbor of Trinidad, located at a 30-kilometer distance, Tobago is the owner of significantly smaller sizes. It occupies about 300 km 2 , its length is 41 km, and its width is 12 km.
The prevailing relief in Trinidad is the plain. It has three mountain ranges, two of which are located in clear parallel to each other, and the third is a continuation of the Venezuelan Cordillera. Two rivers crossing the island of Trinidad flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
Tobago crosses a 30-km ridge, on both sides of which are fertile lowlands and forests. Many small rivers and streams on the island contribute to the lush development of vegetation.
Climate
Climatic conditions on the islands are characteristic of these humid subequatorial latitudes and have a clear distinction between dry and rainy seasons. The dry season, which lasts from January to May, is rather mild, because it does not differ in sweltering heat - it is largely neutralized by tropical trade winds.
From June to August, the rainy season lasts. This is a period of visiting the islands with tropical showers, plentiful and protracted. The best time for a trip to Trinidad is February and March, months that are bright, warm and full of unforgettable events and entertainment. Trinidad and Tobago, whose resorts are waiting for tourists, are most attractive at this time.
Nature of the islands
Striking with a riot of colors, evergreen forests are very carefully protected by the state - on such a small territory on a planetary scale there are many reserves. Tobago is a unique island famous for its excellent views of the coast, long narrow beaches with white sand and mighty palm trees. Back in the eighteenth century, the Tobago authorities declared the island's rainforests a conservation area - the first precedent of its kind. Buccoo Reef reef with picturesque harbors, amazing fish and corals has been protected by the state since 1973.
The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are distinguished by an amazing variety of flora, including not only South American species, but also exclusively on the archipelago. In the northern part of Trinidad, rainforests have survived , where up to fifty species of valuable tree species grow. The center and western regions are occupied by evergreen forests. Sandalwood, bush and cypress are typical representatives of island forests. In the lowlands and foothills of these areas, savannas and cultivated plantations extend for sugarcane, coconut and oilseeds for export. Over the coast at the mouths of the rivers there are thickets of mangroves with intricately interwoven trunks and roots.
The fauna is extremely diverse: there are howler monkeys and capuchins, representatives of marsupials (possums), rodents (agouti), predators (ocelots), bats and reptiles - turtles, alligators, lizards, snakes. Numerous feathered colonies with bright multi-colored southern plumage.
Hummingbirds alone have over 40 varieties. The waters of the islands abound in fish.
Bosom
The island of Trinidad is rich in minerals: oil deposits and reserves of the gas accompanying it are found in the southern part and on the shelf, natural asphalt is mined to the west, sulfur and diorites are extracted in the north, the Sangre Grande region is famous for deposits of lignite and brown coal. Iron ore, gypsum and limestone are mined in the north of the island.
Tourism
Today the island of Trinidad is a popular center for eco-tourism. Vacationers have at their disposal a set of all types of beach vacations, the opportunity to go in for water sports, diving, horse riding, yachting, etc. The Calypso Music Festival is held annually here, traditionally gathering a huge audience of fans. Trinidad Island, Brazil are home to this exciting show.
The markets on the islands are crowded with handicrafts. Here, bamboo crafts and paintings by islanders are in demand. Trade flourishes in huge supermarkets and street stalls, where, however, unlike boutiques, you can successfully bargain.
Kitchen
In addition, tourists are always interested in local cuisine, which is a mixture of oriental, Caribbean, Spanish and Chinese. The variety of ethnic types of cooking gives rise to unlimited possibilities - you can taste any, the most exotic dish. The recently created “New Caribbean” tendency to add local colorful elements to gourmet dishes makes it possible to fully experience the culinary features. Visits to small home restaurants specializing in catering to foreign tourists will help to complete the picture. In the reviews of holidaymakers on the islands, it is precisely such small catering points that are safe, comfortable, with an unforgettable cuisine. Trinidad's signature dish is flying fish cooked on charcoal and sugar balls rolled in sesame seeds.
Entertainment industry
Trinidad and Tobago is not only the intersection of culinary traditions of many countries, but also a whole universe of sights that delivers tourists an indescribable experience that will remain in our memory for a long time: picturesque nature, walking along the hills, sea voyages, pristine beaches, amazing colors and rhythms of the annual Calypso carnival!
To participate in it, the islanders make original drums from empty iron barrels. Calypso musical compositions, extracted from the drums by rhythmic beats, have long been recognized as a symbol of carnival and the island itself. This kind of local folklore is a small witty musical opus, performed in the African style, saturated with local dialectic expressions. An approximate analogy is observed in many countries of the world - ditties in Russia or couplets of the times of the French Front.
The carnival - rampant and noisy - is held shortly before Lent. This is the most incredible procession for which Trinidad and Tobago are famous. The islands, Brazil, and other Caribbean countries organize such holidays every year.
The islanders begin preparations for the carnival with the advent of the New Year - come up with costumes, create drums. The most amazing action takes place in the Royal Park of the capital. In contrast to the vast majority of world carnival processions, on the islands from the first moments the border between spectators and participants ceases to exist. Nobody stands aside, the mulatto mermaids draw tourists into their ranks and everyone dances to the rhythms of "steel" music.
Holidays on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago
Resorts on the islands are famous for their clean, gorgeous beaches, such as Maracas Bay, Tyrico Bay or Las Cuelvas. The most populated and most famous Russian tourists is the western part of the coast overlooking the Gulf of Paria. Here are the capital and main ports.
There is something to admire in the capital of the Republic of Port of Spain: the residence of the Ginderbrad House, Magnificent Seven Park, the National Museum, the Art Gallery, the Trinidad and Tobago Historical Museum, the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Remarkable architecture is dominated by wooden houses with a unique carved gallery running along the second floor of the buildings. Most of the buildings, public and private, were built in the early 19th century in the classicist style that prevailed in those days.
The Asa Wright Natural Complex, a former coconut plantation turned into a wildlife preserve, gives tropical bird lovers a real treat. And in the Karoni nature reserve, located near the capital, you can watch the life of a loaf - a representative of the ibis family, which is one of the symbols of the republic. Trinidad Island is also famous for many more attractions. A visit to this amazing place will leave a lot of unforgettable impressions.