Trinidad is home to the world famous Carnival and birthplace of the steel pan drum. Trinidad has a thriving manufacturing sector that has positioned the country as a leading financial and energy producer in the region. Tobago, on the other hand, offers the quintessential Caribbean island with secluded beaches, quaint villages, charming hotels and smart new resorts. Together they provide a unique and intriguing destination that combines progressive business opportunities with the pulsating excitement and idyllic beauty of a Caribbean paradise.
In the Caribbean nation of Trinidad & Tobago you'll find more than swaying palms and sun-kissed beaches. When you visit these historic islands you'll enjoy a multicultural feast prepared by descendants of settlers from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East. In Trinidad & Tobago past and present forge a future for the world to emulate, a culture that not only tolerates diversity but celebrates it.
There's always something to celebrate in Trinidad & Tobago. Throughout the year, this melting-pot nation serves up a generous helping of fun, food and festivities. Shortly after New Year, islanders begin preparing for Carnival, the mother of Caribbean fetes. The party really gets rolling two days before Ash Wednesday. At J'Ouvert, the daybreak celebration on Carnival Monday, costumed mas (masquerade) bands take to the streets, "chipping" in a rhythmic strut to the pulsing beat of pan, calypso and soca.
On every corner vendors offer roti, a flatbread similar to Indian chapati or pita, wrapped around a vegetable or meat curry. Also try "doubles," a sort of chickpea sandwich. Wash either down with refreshing coconut milk, lime juice flavored with locally made Angostura bitters or an icy, island-brewed Carib beer.
In the world of art, tiny Trinidad and Tobago stands among the giants. The twin-island nation is home to two Nobel Prize-winning writers, a respected theater community and a gallery of renowned painters and sculptors. In addition, the Caribbean islands have given birth to three distinctive styles of music: pan, calypso and soca.
If Mother Nature were to take a Caribbean vacation, she'd surely pick Trinidad and Tobago. The dual-island nation's unique ecological heritage and topographical diversity make it a prime habitat for:
- More than 430 species of birds.
- 620 species of butterflies.
- 2,300 varieties of flowering shrubs and plants, including 700 types of orchids.
- 100 kinds of mammals, including agoutis, armadillos, opossums, deer, peccaries, ocelots and anteaters.
- 70 types of reptiles.
Because Trinidad & Tobago once were joined to South America, the islands enjoy a wide range of landscapes, from mountains, savannas and deciduous woods to rain forests and fresh- and saltwater marshes. In addition, the country is on the migratory route for many species of birds, making it a natural aviary.
For more information on Trinidad & Tobago, go to www.visittnt.com or call 888-535-5617.
