Largest Cities in Trinidad and Tobago
Facts about Trinidad and Tobago
Official languages: English, French, Spanish, Chinese
Capital: Port of Spain
Area: 5,128 km²
Population: 1.2 million residents
Population density: 239.60 residents per km²
Currency: TTD
Internet TLD: .tt
ISO codes: TT, TTO, 780
The telephone code for Trinidad and Tobago is + 1-868
Trinidad and Tobago is a Caribbean island state that includes the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The islands are the southernmost of the Lesser Antilles and are located off the coast of Venezuela.
Christopher Columbus reached the island of Trinidad on July 31, 1498. He named it after the Trinity because of its three distinctive mountain peaks. The name of the island of Tobago is derived from the word tobacco. It was also discovered by Columbus.
In 1797 the British took control of Trinidad. During World War II, Trinidad was the largest allied military base in the Caribbean, as it played an essential role in anti-submarine combat in the Atlantic and the Caribbean. During this time the foundations for today’s infrastructure and industry on the island were created.
In 1958, Trinidad and Tobago became independent from Great Britain as part of the West Indian Federation, the capital of which was Port-of-Spain. But the federation broke up in 1962; on August 31, Trinidad and Tobago finally gained independence. In 1987 Tobago received internal autonomy.
The Pitch Lake in Trinidad is the largest natural asphalt deposits in the world.
The steel pan (steel drum) is the national musical instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. The instrument was invented in the 1930s. The British colonial rulers banned the locals from drumming on African percussion instruments. Therefore the lower class of Trinidad was looking for new ways of musical expression. The first steel pans were made from discarded oil drums, which were in abundance in Trinidad due to the oil industry. The steel pan is one of the few acoustic musical instruments invented during the 20th century and has enjoyed great popularity, particularly in North America and Europe, since its inception.
Biggest Cities of Trinidad and Tobago by Population
# | City | Population | Latitude | Longitude |
1 | Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago | 67,544 | 10.5167 | -61.4167 |
2 | Mon Repos, Trinidad and Tobago | 56,491 | 10.2798 | -61.4459 |
3 | San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago | 55,530 | 10.2797 | -61.4683 |
4 | Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago | 49,142 | 10.6667 | -61.5189 |
5 | Rio Claro, Trinidad and Tobago | 35,761 | 10.3059 | -61.1756 |
6 | Arima, Trinidad and Tobago | 35,111 | 10.6374 | -61.2823 |
7 | Marabella, Trinidad and Tobago | 26,811 | 10.3062 | -61.4467 |
8 | Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago | 21,111 | 10.6492 | -61.4989 |
9 | Point Fortin, Trinidad and Tobago | 19,167 | 10.1741 | -61.6841 |
10 | Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago | 17,869 | 10.6524 | -61.3888 |
11 | Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago | 17,111 | 11.1823 | -60.7352 |
12 | Sangre Grande, Trinidad and Tobago | 16,079 | 10.5871 | -61.1301 |
13 | Paradise, Trinidad and Tobago | 15,178 | 10.653 | -61.363 |
14 | Penal, Trinidad and Tobago | 12,392 | 10.1667 | -61.4667 |
15 | Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago | 12,165 | 10.6288 | -61.3349 |
16 | Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago | 10,111 | 10.2718 | -61.371 |
17 | Siparia, Trinidad and Tobago | 8,679 | 10.1453 | -61.5074 |
18 | Petit Valley, Trinidad and Tobago | 8,251 | 10.6997 | -61.5472 |
19 | Couva, Trinidad and Tobago | 5,289 | 10.4225 | -61.4675 |
Trinidad and Tobago: Port of Spain
The capital of Trinidad and Tobago is Port of Spain. That translates to the port of Spain. The Spanish founded a fort here in 1560. The city is located on the north-western coast on the Gulf of Paria. Around 49,000 people live here. Port of Spain is not the largest city in the country because that is Chaguanas with 83,000 inhabitants. However, around half a million people live in the Port of Spain area.