• The continental origin and proximity of The continental origin and proximity of Trinidad to South America, along with its Trinidad to South America, along with its varied habitats, has resulted in an extremely varied habitats, has resulted in an extremely diverse biota. Species lists for this island are diverse biota. Species lists for this island are impressive, including 97 native mammals, impressive, including 97 native mammals, 400 birds, 55 reptiles, 25 amphibians, and 400 birds, 55 reptiles, 25 amphibians, and 617 butterflies, as well as over 2,200 species 617 butterflies, as well as over 2,200 species of flowering plants! No other area in the West of flowering plants! No other area in the West Indies, and few areas of comparable size in Indies, and few areas of comparable size in tropical America, can match this spectacular tropical America, can match this spectacular species diversity. Trinidad is 50 miles long by species diversity. Trinidad is 50 miles long by about 37 miles wide, and dominated by the about 37 miles wide, and dominated by the Northern Range, which rises to about 3,000 Northern Range, which rises to about 3,000 feet and was historically covered by tropical feet and was historically covered by tropical rainforest. Here, in this lush part of this rainforest. Here, in this lush part of this beautiful island, you will find the magical Asa beautiful island, you will find the magical Asa Wright Nature Centre. Wright Nature Centre.

• This is the home of Trinidad's This is the home of Trinidad's national bird, the Scarlet Ibis - a national bird, the Scarlet Ibis - a beautiful sight as they flock to beautiful sight as they flock to Caroni's mangrove trees to roost at Caroni's mangrove trees to roost at sunset. The swamp houses a wide sunset. The swamp houses a wide variety of wildlife including 186 variety of wildlife including 186 species of birds: osprey, herons, species of birds: osprey, herons, white flamingoes, ployers and egrets.white flamingoes, ployers and egrets.

• For those of you who don't know, For those of you who don't know, "pitch" is just an old fashioned name "pitch" is just an old fashioned name for "tar".   Pitch Lake on Trinidad's for "tar".   Pitch Lake on Trinidad's west coast, in the appropriately west coast, in the appropriately named "La Brea" district, is a 95 acre named "La Brea" district, is a 95 acre lake of tar. lake of tar.

• A stop along Trinidad's deserted eastern A stop along Trinidad's deserted eastern coast, Manzanilla Beach's view of the coast, Manzanilla Beach's view of the untamed wild is stunning. Coconuts are untamed wild is stunning. Coconuts are scattered along the beach's brown sands but scattered along the beach's brown sands but the rocky, Atlantic waters are not good for the rocky, Atlantic waters are not good for swimming.swimming.

• Although Trinidad and Tobago has some Although Trinidad and Tobago has some beaches that are more secluded than beaches that are more secluded than Manzanilla Beach the combination of natural Manzanilla Beach the combination of natural beauty, personality and other attributes beauty, personality and other attributes available at this location could be just what available at this location could be just what the doctor ordered. the doctor ordered.

• Many people find that the best beach for Many people find that the best beach for them in Trinidad and Tobago is one that is them in Trinidad and Tobago is one that is conveniently located and allows for a certain conveniently located and allows for a certain degree of privacy while still offering degree of privacy while still offering opportunities for social interaction; that's opportunities for social interaction; that's what Manzanilla Beach can provide. what Manzanilla Beach can provide.