Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island Caribbean republic just off Venezuela, the birthplace of calypso, soca and steel-pan music, and famous for one of the world's most spectacular Carnival celebrations.
Geography & landscape
Trinidad and Tobago sits in Caribbean, in the northern hemisphere of North America. With an area of approximately 5,130 km², it is a compact territory, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Port of Spain, lies near coordinates 10.69°, -61.22°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of North America, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Caribbean region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Trinidad and Tobago.
People & society
The population of Trinidad and Tobago is around 1.4M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is English, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Trinidad and Tobago is structured as a parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Port of Spain, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Trinidad and Tobago is the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Port of Spain and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Trinidad and Tobago shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Trinidad and Tobago through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Port of Spain, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +1-868, and clocks are set to the AST (UTC-4) time zone. ISO standards identify Trinidad and Tobago as TT (alpha-2) and TTO (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇹🇹, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Port of Spain | — |
| Continent | North America | — |
| Sub-region | Caribbean | — |
| Population | 1.4M | people |
| Area | 5,130 | km² |
| Currency | Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD) | — |
| Calling code | +1-868 | international dialling |
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | standard time |
| Government type | Parliamentary republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | TT | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | TTO | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 10.69 | degrees |
| Longitude | -61.22 | degrees |
Did you know?
The steel-pan instrument was invented in Trinidad in the 1940s — fashioned originally from oil drums and now considered the country's national instrument.
