Understanding Mountain Ranges in Trinidad and Tobago

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify the major mountain ranges in Trinidad and Tobago.
  2. Describe at least two characteristics of each mountain range.
  3. Express an appreciation for the importance of Trinidad and Tobago’s mountain ranges by explaining their value to tourism, ecosystems, or cultural identity.
  4. Use a digital map or the class website to locate and label the mountain ranges of Trinidad and Tobago on a blank outline map.

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Major Mountain Ranges in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago are home to several prominent mountain ranges that shape the landscape and ecosystems of the islands. The major mountain ranges include:

🌄 Trinidad :

NOTE: DOUBLE TAP IMAGES BELOW TO SEE LOCATION OF THE RANGES!

🌄 Tobago:

Location of Trinidad and Tobago’s Mountain Ranges

Mountain RangesDownload

Which mountain range matches the following description?

“This range is located in northern Trinidad and contains the country’s highest peaks, El Cerro del Aripo and El Tucuche.”

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Importance of Trinidad and Tobago’s Mountain Ranges

🧗 Tourism

  • KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA
  • (Trini Jungle Juice, 2021)
    (Trini Jungle Juice, 2021)

(Trini Jungle Juice, 2021)

Mountain areas attract visitors for:

  • Hiking
  • Birdwatching
  • Nature photography
  • Scenic viewpoints (e.g., Maracas Bay & Main Ridge)
Video
Hike
Read

🌱 Ecosystems & Environment

  • The scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a species of ibis in the bird family Threskiornithidae. It inhabits tropical South America and islands of the Caribbean. In form it resembles most of the other twenty-seven extant species of ibis, but its remarkably brilliant scarlet coloration makes it unmistakable. It is one of the two national birds of Trinidad and Tobago.
  • gettyimages

(Trini Jungle Juice, 2021)

  • Provide habitats for unique plants and animals.
  • Help regulate local climate and rainfall.
  • Serve as important water catchment areas, supplying rivers and reservoirs.
Read
Read
Video
Video

🏛 Cultural Significance

  • Peaks like El Cerro del Aripo appear in stories, folklore, and national heritage.
  • Mountain communities have traditions linked to their natural surroundings.
Read

🗺 Activity: Locating and Labeling Mountain Ranges

Instructions:

  1. Open the digital map on the class website.
    You can double-tap any of the mountain range images above or visit the Mountain Ranges page to view their locations. You may also use the downloadable map provided as a reference.
  2. Locate the following mountain ranges:
    • 🗻 Northern Range (Trinidad)
    • 🌳 Central Range (Trinidad)
    • ⛰ Southern Range (Trinidad)
    • 🌿 Main Ridge (Tobago)
  3. Download the blank outline map below of Trinidad and Tobago , then label each mountain range in the correct location.
  4. Use different colors 🎨, icons 🏔️, or labels to make your map clear, creative, and visually appealing.
  5. Add one or two notable importance for each range.
  6. Submit your completed map using the submission link below.
T&T Outline MapDownload
Submission of Map

Test Your Knowledge:

PLAY QUIZ 1
PLAY QUIZ 2
PLAY QUIZ 3

Student Instructions for Quiz 1

To get the PIN for Quiz 1, go to the Contact Us page. You can write your name and a short message asking for the quiz PIN, or you can call any of the developers using the phone numbers listed there. Once you contact them, they will send you the PIN you need.”

CONTACT US

References

Destination Trinidad and Tobago. (n.d.). Mount Tamana Bat Caves. https://www.destinationtnt.com/mount-tamana-bat-caves/

Droneshott. (2025, March 30). Discover the stunning landscapes of Northern Range in Trinidad [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@droneshott/video/7487626806724480261

Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Northern Range. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Northern-Range

Google. (n.d.). Central Range, Trinidad and Tobago [Map]. Google Maps.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Central+Range/@10.4167081,-61.2705998,14z/

Island Experiences. (n.d.). Mountain Village Jeep Adventure. https://www.islandexperiencestt.com/product/mountain-village-jeep-adventure/

Julien, T. (2015). Trinidad’s Northern Range: A Biodiversity Hotspot.
https://sta.uwi.edu/uwiToday/archive/august_2015/article7.asp

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. (n.d.). Trinidad: People and the Northern Range.
https://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/SGA.Trinidad.html

National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Mountain.
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/mountain

Peakery. (n.d.). El Cerro del Aripo – Trinidad and Tobago.
https://peakery.com/el-cerro-del-aripo-trinidad-and-tobago/

Rampersad, S. (2019, March 16). Destruction of the Northern Range. Trinidad Guardian.
https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/destruction-of-the-northern-range-6.2.802110.0bc76ef0b3

Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve. (n.d.). UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5674/

Trini Jungle Juice. (2021, March 5). El Tucuche is the second highest peak in Trinidad’s Northern Range and is noted for its interesting pyramidal shape. It is fabled in Amerindian lore as a sacred mountain [Status update]. Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/trinijunglejuice/posts/el-tucuche-is-the-second-highest-peak-in-trinidads-northern-range-and-is-noted-f/10159687789684560/

Trini Jungle Juice. (2024, April 2). Exploring the lush trails of the Central Range [Video]. Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5mMd1vuSX-/

Trini Jungle Juice. (n.d.). El Tucuche… [Photograph]. Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4513960175360411&id=881932545229877&set=a.1160686864021109

Wildgirl. (2023, August 11). Bird life of Central Range forests. Wild Tobago.
https://wildtobago.blogspot.com/2023/08/bird-life-of-central-range-forests.html