Capital: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Population: Trinidad and Tobago's population stands at 1, 297, 944.
People of African and Indian descent comprise the majority of the population, with people of mixed race, European, Chinese and Middle Eastern ancestry adding diversity to our ethnic mix.

Currency: The local currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar. US dollars are widely accepted at an approximate rate of TT $6 to US $1 and you can find rate information at local banks, or the daily newspapers.

Language: The official language of Trinidad and Tobago is English, but Spanish and to a lesser extent French patois, Hindi and Chinese is spoken by some segments of the population through culture and heritage.

Political Status: Independent nation and Republic within the Commonwealth

Area: Trinidad is approximately 185 square miles (4,800 sq km) and Tobago 116 square miles (300 sq km)

Location: Trinidad and Tobago are the most southern islands in the Caribbean, located a mere seven miles off Venezuela's north eastern coast. The islands are a 3 hour and 19 minute flight from Miami, 4 1/2 hours from New York and 58 minutes from Caracas.

Climate & Weather: Trinidad and Tobago has a warm, sunny climate year round. The average daytime temperature is about 28 degrees Celsius.
Our islands have two main seasons, the Dry Season, from January to May and the Rainy Season, from June to December. In the Rainy Season, mornings are usually sunny, followed by rainy afternoons and fair nights. During this time, our general rainfall pattern is interrupted by days of brilliant sunshine.

Religion: Freedom of religion is enshrined in Trinidad and Tobago's Constitution, and Catholics, Hindus, Anglicans, Baptist, Pentecostal, Muslim, Seventh Day Adventist are all represented in our islands.

Banking & Business: Banks are open on Monday to Thursday, 8am-2pm and Friday, 9am-12noon and 3-5pm. Banks located in shopping plazas and malls are the exception to this rule with business hours from 10am to 6pm.

The principal banks are Citibank, First Citizens Bank, Intercommercial Bank, Republic Bank, RBTT and Scotiabank.

As a rule, the day starts at 8am and ends at 4pm, from Monday to Friday at most Government Departments and private business. Shops open from 8 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday - except for stores in malls, which are open from 10am to 7pm.
Most malls and shops are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Telecommunications: The international dialling code for Trinidad and Tobago is 1-868 followed by seven digits. On the islands, use the seven digits alone.

Information taken from: www.gotrinidadandtobago.com

Universities:

• UWI - University of the West Indies,
• UTT - University of Trinidad and Tobago
• USC - University of the Southern Caribbean - The oldest Tertiary Institution in Trinidad and Tobago.