
On the island of
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger, more populous island of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the country. The island lies off the northeastern coast of Venezuela and sits on the continental shelf of South America. It is the southernmost island in ...
, the Southern Range is a discontinuous chain of low hills along the southern coast, reaching their highest altitude in the high
Trinity Hills of the southeast. According to legend, the sight of the three neighboring hilltops of the then unnamed Trinity Hills, led to
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus (; between 25 August and 31 October 1451 – 20 May 1506) was an Italians, Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Genoa who completed Voyages of Christopher Columbus, four Spanish-based voyages across the At ...
, on his third voyage to the New World, to name the island, "La Trinidad" (as a form of devotion to his notion of god as the
Holy Trinity
The Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the Christian doctrine concerning the nature of God, which defines one God existing in three, , consubstantial divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, three ...
). The broad lowland area on the west between the Southern Range and the
Central Range is the
Naparima Plain
On the island of Trinidad, the Naparima Plain is a broad lowland area on the west between the Central Range and the Southern Range (see map); the lowland area on the east is the Nariva Plain. To the north of the Central Range is the Caroni Plai ...
; the lowland area on the east is the
Nariva Plain. The
Oropuche River flows through the Naparima Plain and drains into the Oropuche Lagoon, a swampy area, on the
Gulf of Paria
The Gulf of Paria ( ; ) is a shallow ( at its deepest) semi-enclosed inland sea located between the island of Trinidad and the east coast of Venezuela. It separates the two countries by as little as at its narrowest and at its widest points. T ...
coast, whereas the 31-mile long
Ortoire River
The Ortoire River is a river in Trinidad and Tobago. It forms the boundary between Nariva County and Mayaro County in east Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger, more populous island of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the country. The ...
flows through the Nariva Plain and drains into the
Nariva Swamp on the Atlantic Ocean coast. The Southern region of the island has sandy and less fertile soil. The Southern Range, particularly its Western and Central parts, consists of unconsolidated segments.
The
Trinity Hills wildlife reserve and sanctuary is located in the southern range and is rich in wildlife.
Howler monkeys,
white-fronted capuchin monkeys,
Red brocket deer and the elusive
Ocelot
The ocelot (''Leopardus pardalis'') is a medium-sized spotted Felidae, wild cat that reaches at the shoulders and weighs between on average. It is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, Central and South America, ...
can be seen here. The Lagon Bouffe mud volcano, one of Trinidad's largest mud volcanos is located here.
Trinity Hills is the highest point in the Southern Range, at 325 meters.
[Kenny, Julian S. ]
Views from the Ridge: Exploring the Natural History of Trinidad and Tobago
'. Port of Spain: Prospect Press, 2000. p. 13
Notes
References
*
{{coord, 10, 07, N, 61, 20, W, display=title, region:TT_type:mountain_source:GNS-enwiki
Mountain ranges of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad (island)
Mountain ranges of South America