Trinidad and Tobago in Numbers: People, Places and Culture

Where are Trinidad and Tobago?

This island nation sits at the far southern edge of the Caribbean island chain ¹. It is made up of Trinidad and Tobago as the two main land areas, plus a handful of tiny islets nearby ¹. Port of Spain serves as the capital ². A separate town, Chaguanas, is described as the biggest municipality when measured by both land and residents ¹.

The total land area is 5,128 km² ². In geographic listings it is grouped with North America ². In plain terms, it lies just off South America, to the north and east of Venezuela and to the north and west of Guyana ¹. Distances given in the sources are about 11 km from Venezuela, about 130 km south of Grenada, and about 287 km southwest of Barbados ¹. Its position far to the south means tropical storms pass by less often than in much of the wider region ¹.

Who lives there and what language is used?

The 2025 population was 1,367,764 ³. People aged 65 and older made up 12.9% of the total in that year ³. In 2024, there were about 10.5 births for every 1,000 people in a year, and about 8.7 deaths for every 1,000 people in a year ³. The average was 1.5 children per woman in 2024 ³. Average expected length of life was 73.6 years in 2024 ³.

English is listed as the official language ². Everyday culture brings together African and Indian Caribbean roots ¹. In simple words, that means family life, festivals, music and food often show a mix of customs brought from those backgrounds, shaped further by island life. While many nearby islands depend a lot on visitors, work and income here lean more toward industry linked to oil and gas ¹.

What is Trinidad and Tobago known for?

Many visitors first hear about the islands through large shared events. The sources point to Carnival, Hosay and Diwali as widely noted celebrations ¹. Carnival brings music, costumes and street parades. Hosay and Diwali are faith-based observances marked by prayer, gatherings and lights.

Music and movement are another strong thread. The steelpan, a tuned instrument made from metal, developed here ¹. So did limbo dancing ¹. Song styles linked to the islands include calypso, soca, rapso, chutney music and chutney soca ¹. These forms are often heard at festivals and community events, and as of October 2026 they remain a central part of how the country presents itself to guests.