Welcome to the Land of the Hummingbird—Trinidad and Tobago, a twin-island nation situated at the southernmost end of the Caribbean chain, just off the coast of South America. There are around 1,500,000 people living here, and the capital is Port of Spain, a bustling city famous for its towering skyscrapers and the massive Savannah park. The official language is English, though you will hear a vibrant blend of Spanish, Hindi, and French influences in the local creole.
Trinidad and Tobago covers about 5,131 square kilometers (1,981 square miles). That’s roughly the same size as the state of Delaware in the U.S., or about one-sixth the size of Belgium. While Trinidad is a hub of industry and diverse ecosystems, the smaller island of Tobago is a serene paradise of coral reefs and white-sand beaches.
The most popular sports are Cricket and Football, and the nation has produced world-class athletes like Brian Lara and Dwight Yorke. Their national animal is the Scarlet Ibis (for Trinidad) and the Cocrico (for Tobago), both of which appear on the national coat of arms.
The flag consists of a red field with a black diagonal stripe with white borders, where the red represents the vitality of the land and its people, the black symbolizes the strength and dedication of the citizens, and the white stands for the sea that binds the islands together and the purity of their aspirations.
The food is an incredible fusion of African, Indian, and European flavors. You must try Doubles, the ultimate street food consisting of two pieces of fried flatbread (bara) filled with curried chickpeas (channa). Another favorite is Bake and Shark, a seasoned shark fillet fried and served in a warm “bake” (bread), topped with various sauces and pineapple. For a hearty Sunday lunch, look for Callaloo, a creamy soup made from dasheen leaves, okra, and coconut milk, usually served with macaroni pie.
Trinidad and Tobago is home to Pitch Lake, the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world, which looks like a giant parking lot but is actually a geological wonder. The country features the Main Ridge Forest Reserve in Tobago, which is the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere. You can visit the Maracas Bay, a stunning beach surrounded by lush green mountains where the air smells of salty sea and fried fish. For a cultural explosion, nothing beats the Trinidad Carnival, often called the “Greatest Show on Earth,” where masqueraders dance in the streets to the sounds of Soca and the Steelpan—the only acoustic musical instrument invented in the 20th century. Interestingly, the nation is the birthplace of Limbo dancing, which originally started as an entertainment at wakes!
From the birds of the Caroni Bird Sanctuary to the nylon pools of Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago is a land of rhythmic energy and tropical flavor. Thank you!