Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is an island nation in the south-eastern West Indies. It is made up of two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and many smaller islands. Trinidad, the larger of the two main islands by far, is at its closest point 11 km off the Venezuelan coast, separated from it by the Gulf of Paria and two narrow channels with a number of small islands and rocks. Tobago, which is much smaller, lies 30 km north-east of Trinidad. The capital is Port of Spain, which is located on the northwest coast of Trinidad. Since Trinidad and Tobago lies on the continental shelf of South America and was physically connected to the South American mainland in ancient times, its biodiversity is different from most Caribbean islands and more similar to that of Venezuela. The island nation is home to 472 species of birds, 2 of which are endemic, 100 species of mammals, 90 species of reptiles, 30 species of amphibians, 50 species of freshwater fish and at least 950 species of marine fish. Species of mammals of interest include the Ocelot, the West Indian Manatee, the Collared Peccary, the Red Rumped Agouti, the Lowland Paca, the Red Brocket Deer, the Neotropical Otter, the Weeper Capuchin and the Red Howler Monkey. There are also around 70 species of bat, including the Vampire Bat and the Fringed-Lipped Bat. Among the larger reptiles are 5 species of marine turtles that nest on the islands' beaches, the Green Anaconda, the Boa Constrictor and the Spectacled Caiman. Trinidad and Tobago is particularly famous for its large number of bird species and is a popular destination for birdwatchers.