CaribbeanTravel.com Directory - (Page 217) TRINIDAD & TOBAGO rich in culture and BIODIVERSITY T rinidad and Tobago are two islands, separated only by 21 miles, offering visitors two different experiences within one destination. These southernmost of the Caribbean islands offer a world of many cultures and people who are proud of their ancestors who have come from Africa, India, Europe, China and the Middle East. This multi-ethnic feel is found in the foods and in the festivals that honor the traditions of the past. Carnival, the largest event of the islands, is world-famous with the weeks preceding the two-day pre-lent party filled with the music that also defines the Republic. Trinidad may be the bustling big sister of the two-island Republic, but it also offers visitors a tranquil side as well. It is first and foremost an island dominated by one major city — the capital, Port of Spain — but its unexpected variety of landscapes for those who venture outside the city will surprise and delight those seeking a vacation with nature. They will discover rugged mountains, broad plains, swamps and savannahs and nature reserves, along with a biodiversity that, combined with sister island Tobago, includes 430 bird species 108 kinds of mammals 52 types of reptiles and 620 varieties of butterflies. Few other destinations can lay claim that you can visit a city, jungle and beach all in the same day. PORT OF SPAIN AND BEYOND Trinidad is usually the stop for visitors flying in from the U.S. It is worth spending a few days on Trinidad, even if one’s ultimate destination is Tobago. Piarco International Airport is 17 miles from Port of Spain. Most people choose to stay in the capital city and take day trips throughout the island from there. Port of Spain offers visitors all the comforts of home and most stores carry similar items they would find in their own city. Port of Spain also offers the most choice in terms of shopping, dining and nightlife. Trinidad’s National Museum and Art Gallery in Port of Spain is housed in a colonial building. The museum offers a look at the history and culture of Trinidad & Tobago including Amerindian artifacts and relics of life from early colonialism to postindependence. It also displays the work of TRINIDAD & TOBAGO GEOGRAPHY: Trinidad is 50 miles long by 37 miles wide, area of 1,864 square miles. Tobago is 116 square miles. Highest point above sea level is El Cerro del Aripo at 3,085 feet. They are the southernmost islands in the Caribbean. LANGUAGE: English. POPULATION: Both islands: 1.3 million. Tobago 50,000. CLIMATE: Average temperature High/Low: Summer 88ºF/73ºF (31.2ºC/22.9ºC). Winter 76ºF/68ºF (30.2ºC/20ºC). Average humidity: Summer 84%. Winter 80%. Average rainfall: Summer, about 61”; Winter, about 12”. TIME: EST +1. GMT -4. Daylight Savings Time is not observed. 217
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