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Trinidad and Tobago are the southernmost islands of the

Caribbean archipelago; geologically, they are considered part of South America. (Opposite) Several buildings nestle among lush mountains on the island of Tobago. The island is part of a chain of volcanic mountains. (Right) Tourists enjoy the beaches of Tobago. 1

A Diverse Pair of Islands

TWO QUITE DIFFERENT islands make up the country of Trinidad and Tobago. The islands were even created differently. Trinidad separated from the mainland of South America 10,000 or more years ago, while the smaller island of Tobago was once part of an underwater volcanic mountain range connected to the continent. Trinidad and Tobago form the tail end of the island chain known as the Lesser Antilles, at the southern extreme of the West Indies. The country’s cli- mate is tropical—hot and humid, and rainy during the wet season, which lasts from June to December. The northeast trade winds cool the islands, however, and the average year-round temperature is around 80° Fahrenheit (27° Celsius). While hurricanes do occasionally strike, the islands lie south of the usual storm path. In 1963, Hurricane Flora slammed the islands, devas- tating the smaller island of Tobago.

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