Trinidad and Tobago has a population of approximately 1.3 million people that inhabit 4,827 square kilometers (1,886 miles) in Trinidad and 300 square kilometers (117 miles) in Tobago. Trinidad is located 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) off the eastern cost of Venezuela and Tobago is located 32.2 kilometers (20 miles) to the north-east of Trinidad.

There are two international sea ports in Trinidad; one in Port-of-Spain and one in Point Lisas. The international airports are locatedin Piarco, Trinidad and Crown Point, Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of approximately US$11.8 billion (2005), an unemployment rate of 9.0 percent (Q I 2005) percent and an inflation rate of 6.8 percent (Q3 2005).

The economy is reliant on the oil, natural gas and petrochemical industries. The twin-island republic is a democratic nation that holds general elections at least every five years. The Parliament consists of the House of Representatives with 36 elected members and the Senate which is the Upper House with 31 members. Of these, 16 are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, six on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and nine as independents.

Tobago has an elected House of Assembly which controls the island’s internal affairs.