Trinidad and Tobago

(106 total words in this text)
(705 Reads)   [1]

Background:

The islands came under British control in the 19th century; independence was granted in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing.

Geography

Location:

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Area:

• total: 5,128 sq km
• land: 5,128 sq km
• water: 0 sq km

Climate:

tropical; rainy season (June to December)

Terrain:

mostly plains with some hills and low mountains

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, asphalt

Environment - current issues:

water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion