THE REPUBLIC of Trinidad and Tobago, established on August 1, 1976, is a two‑island Caribbean state located just north of South America. Made up of peoples and cultures from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, the nation is an emerging industrial power known for reserves in oil and gas. In 2009 the country raised its profile through the hosting of international conferences and the expansion of its meeting facilities and hotels. The nation has largely completed a sweeping construction programme in the capital city of Port of Spain to support the development of business, hospitality and culture. Location and Topography Trinidad is 4,828 sq km (1,864 sq miles) in area and approximately rectangular in shape (roughly the size of Rhode Island in the USA). It is 81.25 km long by 57-73 km wide, or 50 miles by 35-45 miles. Once attached to the South American mainland, the island is situated 12 km (7 miles) northeast of the coast of Venezuela and is separated from it by the Gulf of Paria, in which there are several islets, including Chacachacare, Huevos, Monos and Gaspar Grande. Trinidad has three mountain ranges. The highest, the Northern Range, is an extension of the Andes mountain chain, and runs along the northern coast of the island. The Central Range runs diagonally across the island, while the Southern Range runs along the southern coast. The highest point, El Cerro del Aripo, is 940 metres (3,084 ft) above sea level. About 40 per cent of all land is undeveloped forest and woodlands, although the island is going through a rapid phase of development. The capital of Trinidad is Port of Spain. Tobago, 300 sq km (116 sq miles) in area, lies 34 km (21 miles) northeast of Trinidad. Of volcanic origin, the island is a single mountain mass, although the southwest is flat or undulating and coralline. The highest peak, the Main Ridge, reaches an elevation of about 576 metres (1,890 ft). The coastline is broken by inlets and sheltered beaches, and there are several uninhabited islets. The island is dependent on the tourism industry and one of the star attractions is the famed Buccoo Reef. The capital of Tobago is Scarborough.
Geographic Coordinates Trinidad: Latitude 10.5° N Longitude 61.5° W
200-room hotel in Tobago is the recently refurbished Magdalena Grand Beach Resort. The republic is host to over 84,000 business travellers annually.
Tobago: Latitude 11.5° N Longitude 60.5° W
Business Hours
Approximate Non-stop Flying Times to Trinidad and Tobago Barbados 35 mins Caracas 55 mins Frankfurt 9 hrs 40 mins Houston 5 hrs 30 mins London 8 hrs 20 mins Miami 3 hrs 30 mins New York 4 hrs 50 mins Puerto Rico 90 mins Toronto 5 hrs 50 mins Zurich 9 hrs 10 mins
Banks (City Centres): Monday to Thursday - 8 am to 2 pm Friday - 8 am to noon & 3 pm to 5 pm
Offices: Monday to Friday - 8 am to 4:30 pm
FAST FACTS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
T&T a top destination for meetings and conferences
Banks (Shopping Centres): 10 am or 11 am to 5 pm or 6 pm Government Offices: Monday to Friday - 8 am to 4 pm Retail (City Centres): Monday to Friday - 8 am to 4:30 pm Saturday - 8 am to 1 pm Retail (Shopping Centres): Monday to Saturday - 10 am to 7 pm
Climate Trinidad and Tobago’s climate can be described as pleasant tropical marine. Daytime temperatures average 31ºC (87ºF) and are moderated by the northeast trade winds, while nights are a cool 21ºC (69ºF). The islands have two distinct seasons: dry, from January to May, and wet, from June to December. There is a short dry period around midSeptember called Petit Carême, which is an excellent off-season time to visit. Trinidad and Tobago are just outside the usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms but Tobago can experience inclement weather as a result of such weather systems. Meeting Places and Conference Centres Trinidad and Tobago is one of the top five Caribbean meeting and conference destinations with eight major meeting and conference venues. With world‑class facilities, Trinidad boasts the largest conference centre in the English‑speaking Caribbean and many hotels have facilities for conferences, including international brands such as the Hyatt Regency Trinidad and the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre. In addition to the state-of-the-art National Academy for the Performing Arts, award-winning spots like Coco Reef Resort in Tobago are ideal for corporate meetings and team-building retreats. Another large
Time Zone Greenwich Mean Time: Minus four hours. In US Winter: Eastern Standard Time plus one hour (EST +1). In US Summer: Eastern Standard Time (EST). There is no daylight savings time. The Government Trinidad and Tobago’s government is a parliamentary democracy. The head of state is the President, who is elected by an Electoral College of members of the Senate and House of Representatives for a five-year term. Executive power, however, is vested in the Prime Minister and Government following elections every five years. The local government body in Tobago is the Tobago House of Assembly and its seat is in the capital city, Scarborough. The country’s first female head of government, the Honourable Prime Minister Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, was elected on May 24, 2010. She leads a coalition government labelled the People’s Partnership. Visit http://www.thepresident.tt, http://www.opm.gov.tt and http://www.tha.gov.tt
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