Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelago State comprising two main islands. They are the southernmost islands in the Caribbean 10 km (7 miles) off the Venezuelan coast and geologically an extension of South America. Trinidad and Tobago are located at 10^o north latitude and 61^o west longitude. Trinidad is approximately 80 km (50 miles) in length and 59 km (37 miles) in breadth. Tobago is approximately 41 km (26 miles) in length and 12 km (7.5 miles) at its greatest breadth. The combined area of the two islands is 5,128 square miles (1980 sq. miles) and they are 33 km (21 miles) apart.

Trinidad is half-forested, with a mountain range running along the north coast (the highest point is 940 metres, 3,085 feet). There is a flat central plain, and rolling hills in the south. Tobago also has a central spine of hills, rising to 549 metres (1,860 feet), with a flatter plain, and rolling hills in the south. The national capital is Port of Spain (pop. 350,000), and Tobago's capital is Scarborough. Other major urban areas in Trinidad are San Fernando, Chaguanas and Arima. Of the nation's population of 1.3 million, Tobago's share is 45,000.