Trinidad and Tobago, republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, comprising the southernmost of the Caribbean islands, namely, Trinidad and Tobago and adjacent islets situated off the coast of Venezuela. Trinidad is situated north of and opposite the mouth of the Orinoco River and is separated from the South American coast by the Gulf of Paria. Tobago is 32 km (20 mi) northeast of Trinidad. The area of Trinidad is 4,828 sq km (1,864 sq mi); the area of Tobago is 300 sq km (120 sq mi); and the total area of the country is 5,128 sq km (1,980 sq. Trinidad is traversed roughly from east to west by three ranges of hills. The highest point, El Cerro del Aripo, is 940 m (3,084 ft) above sea level. The island has only one natural harbor, at Chaguanas on the western coast, but the entire Gulf of Paria provides safe anchorage. The northern coast is rocky, the southern coast is steep, and the eastern coast is exposed to heavy surf. In the southwestern part of Trinidad is the famous 42-hectare (104-acre) Pitch Lake, which yields large quantities of asphalt. The island of Tobago is of volcanic origin and is, in actuality, a single mountain mass that reaches an elevation of 550 m (1,804 ft) above sea level at its summit. Trinidad and Tobago's petroleum-based economy provides its citizens with a per capita income well above the Latin American average, although living standards are significantly lower than during the petroleum boom years of 1973 to 1982. Widespread unemployment, large foreign debt payments, and fluctuations in world oil prices all served to destabilize the economy of Trinidad and Tobago in the late 1980s and 1990s. In 1994 the republic had its first year of sustained economic growth since the early 1980s. The country exports crude and refined petroleum, which constitute 45 percent of the yearly exports; other exports are natural gas, chemicals, iron and steel, sugar, cacao beans, and rum. Crude petroleum is imported for refining. In 1998 exports were valued at $2.1 billion, and imports $3.5 billion.
Trinidad and Tobago is a democracy that maintains close relations with its Caribbean neighbors and major North American and European trading partners. As the most industrialized and second-largest country in the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago has taken a leading role in the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), and strongly supports CARICOM economic integration efforts. It is also active in the U.S.-initiated Summit of the Americas process and fully supports the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Trinidad has several good four-lane highways and one controlled-access highway; however, road quality decreases quickly as you move away from the main roads. Rural roads are generally narrow; many are in poor repair and often congested. Night travel in the cities of Port-of-Spain and San Fernando is generally safe but should be avoided in other areas except on major highways. While there are local emergency numbers (990 for ambulance/fire, 999 for police), Roadside Assistance is likely to be sporadic and subject to lengthy delays. A recently established Highway Patrol unit may improve this situation on major roads. The Ministry of Works and Transport is responsible for road conditions and safety in the country.
The country has an extensive system of taxis, maxi-taxis (vans), and some larger buses. While not necessarily dangerous, their utilization by tourists is generally restricted to the most adventurous visitors. Fares should be agreed upon in advance. Taxis will often stop at any point along the road to pick up or discharge passengers, often with little or no warning. The railroad system was dismantled some years ago.
U.S. dollar traveler's checks are easily exchanged at banks, but you must show your passport. A photocopy is not acceptable. Major credit cards are used and accepted.