Trinidad is the island containing Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago.
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the country’s two main islands. Port of Spain stands on its northwestern coast, beside the Gulf of Paria, and serves as the national administrative and cultural centre.
Unlike many Lesser Antilles islands, Trinidad lies very close to the coast of Venezuela. Its geological connection to South America helps explain its varied landscape and unusually rich biodiversity. The island includes the Northern Range, central plains, wetlands, and southern lowlands.
Tobago is the country’s smaller island and lies northeast of Trinidad. The two islands became a single British colony in 1889 and gained independence together in 1962. Trinidad is also internationally associated with Carnival, calypso, soca, and steelpan music.