Location: Southernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles chain; geologically, an extension of the South American continent; separated from Venezuela by the 11 km. (7 mi.) straits of the Gulf of Paria; 30 km. (19 mi.) separate Trinidad and Tobago.

Area: Total 5,128 sq. km. (l,980 sq. mi.); about one and one-half times the size of the state of Rhode Island. Trinidad: 4,828 sq. km. (1,864 sq. mi.); Tobago: 300 sq. km. (117 sq. mi.).

Topography: Half of Trinidad is covered with tropical forests; east and west coasts partly swampy; three relatively low mountain ranges cross Trinidad from east to west, their highest elevation reaches 940 m. (3,085 ft.); Tobago has scenic beaches and a main ridge of volcanic origin along the center, reaching a maximum height of 549 m. (l,800 ft.).

Climate: Average temperature of 29¡C (83¼F), seldom exceeding 32¼C (89¼F); Tobago's temperatures are cooler due to more constant exposure to trade winds. The twin islands lie slightly south of the hurricane belt. The dry season generally runs from January to May, with a wet season from June to December. Annual rainfall is around 40 inches.

Total Population: 1, 320,000.
Average Annual Rate of Growth: 1.3%
Reproductive Rate: 15 per 1,000.
Population Density: 257.4 per sq. km. (666.6 per sq. mi.).
Labor Force: 506,000.
Adult Literacy: 98%
Ethnic Divisions: African 39.6%; East Indian 40.3%; mixed 18.4%; Caucasian 0.6%; Chinese 0.4%.
Religion: Roman Catholic 29.4%; Hindu 23.8%; Anglican 10.9%; Islam 5.8%; Presbyterian 3.4%; Other 25.7%

Education is free at primary and secondary levels, and compulsory between the ages of 6 and 12. Many schools are run jointly by the State and religious bodies. Government teachers' colleges and technical-vocational schools are also free for qualified students. A branch of the University of the West Indies is located at St. Augustine in addition to two Polytechnic Institutes and the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry (ECIAF). The Trinidad and Tobago Hotel School offers courses for the hotel, catering and travel industries.

There is an International School, with a predominantly US curriculum for kindergarten through grade 12.

Although the islands of Trinidad and Tobago were discovered by Columbus in 1498, the first successful attempt to colonize Trinidad by Spaniards was not made until 1592. It remained under Spanish rule until captured by the British in 1797.

In 1802 it was formally ceded to the United Kingdom. At various points in its history, Tobago was held by the Dutch, the French, and the English; in 1814 it was ceded to the United Kingdom.

The two islands of Trinidad and Tobago merged in 1888 to form a single colony. Africans were introduced into Trinidad in the 18th century as slaves. With the abolition of slavery in 1834, plantation owners turned to contract-indentured laborers from India.

From 1958 until 1962 Trinidad and Tobago was a member of the autonomous Federation of the West Indies. Independence was achieved in 1962 with Dr. Eric Williams as prime minister.

In August 1976 the country adopted a new constitution under which it became a republic within the British Commonwealth. In 1980 a Tobago House of Assembly was formed, with certain powers over that island's finances, economic development and social services.

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