Geography

Located in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago is one of the smallest countries in Latin America at 5,128 square kilometers, and is only slightly bigger than Rhode Island. It has a highest elevation of 3, 084 feet at the peak of Mount Aripo of the Northern Range, a lowest elevation of 0 feet at the Caribbean Sea, and terrain consisting of mostly plains, with some hills and mountain ranges (“World Geography & Culture Online - Geography Page”). Said mountain ranges include the Northern (as mentioned above), Central, and Southern Ranges of Trinidad, and Main Ridge, the mountain range that covers nearly all of Tobago. Trinidad is also home to the Ortoire River, the longest in the country, which has a unique chemical reaction called bioluminescence, which causes the river’s water to glow blue with tiny dots at night. However, its most important geographical feature cannot be forgotten. The world’s biggest natural asphalt lake, La Brea Pitch Lake, is located in Trinidad and Tobago. The climate in this country is described to be tropical, with high levels of humidity, but this may vary depending on the region. The coldest months are January and February, when temperatures have an average of around 68 degrees fahrenheit, and the hottest months are April, May, and October, when the average temperature is 89 degrees fahrenheit (Britannica). The vegetation in Trinidad and Tobago is dense, with approximately 2,500 species of plants under 175 families, and over 400 species of birds throughout the islands. An estimated 100 species of animals from the mammal family have been recognized, and so has a significant population of reptiles, represented by 40 species of snakes, 25 species of lizards, and 30 species of amphibians. In order to preserve the wildlife, as many of the animals are specific to Trinidad and Tobago, the country has issued “legal protection” over 75 areas around both main islands (“Trinidad and Tobago Moist Forest | One Earth”). In summary, Trinidad and Tobago’s geography, vegetation, and climate play a big part in the country’s everyday conditions and contribute to the uniqueness of the country itself.