# Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo

Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo is one of the nine regions of Trinidad and Tobago, and one of the five regions which form the Gulf of Paria coastline on Trinidad's West Coast. Its regional capital and commercial center is Couva. Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo is the third-largest of Trinidad and Tobago's nine regions, with an area of 723 square kilometres (300 sq mi). As of 2011, the population was 178,410. The region is the second-most populous and fourth-least-densely populated region in Trinidad with 247 inhabitants per square kilometre (640/sq mi).
Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo is bordered by the Gulf of Paria to the west, the Borough of Chaguanas to the north-west, Tunapuna–Piarco region to the north, Sangre Grande and Mayaro–Rio Claro to the east, Princes Town to the south and the City of San Fernando to the south-west. The region is directly adjacent to the Venezuelan state of Monagas to west separated by the Gulf of Paria.

## Geography

Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo is Trinidad and Tobago's third largest region in area after Sangre Grande and Rio Claro–Mayaro. The region is situated in Central Trinidad within the Caroni Plains bordering the Gulf of Paria to west. It was a major region for sugar and cocoa production in the 18th and 19th centuries and the first half of the 20th century. The region features the Caroni–Arena Dam which supplies water to the northern regions of Trinidad and Navet Dam which supplies water to much of Central and Southern regions Trinidad. Much of the Central Range lies in the region which is home to the Brasso Venado and Gran Couva Waterfall. Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo also houses the Pointe-à-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust in Pointe-à-Pierre.

### Wildlife

The Point-a-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust is located on the compound of a major petrochemical and oil refinery in south Trinidad. Encompassing two lakes and about 30 hectares of land the Trust is a popular destination for scientists and researchers. The Trust is the only eco-tourism site on the island with a boardwalk built along much of the first pond where there is also a small Amerindian museum. Point-a-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust is a wetland habitat that is home to locally endangered wetland birds. With over 26 hectares, there are about 90 bird species, including endangered waterfowl, songbirds, scarlet ibis, herons and other wading birds.

## Demographics
### Population

The Trinidad and Tobago Central Statistical Office reported the population of Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo was 178,410 on January 9, 2011, a 0.9% increase since the 2000 Census. The population of Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo in the 2000 census was 162,779.

### Ancestry

Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo racial breakdown :
| Racial composition | 2011 |
| South Asian (Indo-Trinidadian) | 57.65% |
| Black (Afro-Trinidadian/Tobagonian) | 18.94% |
| Multiracial | 10.7% |
| Dougla (South Asian and Black) | 7.3% |
| West Asian (Chinese) | 0.16% |
| Native American (Amerindian) | 0.6% |
| Arab (Syrian/Lebanese) | 0.1% |
| White Trinidadian | 0.12% |
| Other | 0.8% |
| Not stated | 4.8% |

### Religion

Religion in Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo (2011 census)
Religion
Percent
Christianity
49.3%
Hinduism
34.3%
Islam
8.1%
Other
6.9%
None/not shared
1.4% :

### Urban Centers and Towns

Largest cities or towns in Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo 2011 Census :
| | Rank | | Historic County | Pop. |
| Couva | 1 | Couva | Caroni | 48,858 |
| Couva | 2 | Gasparillo | Victoria | 16,426 |
| Couva | 3 | Claxton Bay | Victoria | 14,436 |
| Couva | 4 | Freeport | Caroni | 11,850 |
| Couva | 5 | Carapichaima | Caroni | 5,995 |
| Couva | 6 | Chase Village | Caroni | 4,014 |
| Couva | 7 | Tabaquite | Saint George | 3,138 |
| Couva | 8 | Caparo | Caroni | 2,979 |
| Couva | 9 | St. Mary's | Caroni | 2,240 |
| Couva | 10 | Talparo | Saint George | 1,661 |

#### Electoral Districts

Electoral Districts within Couva–Tabaquite–Talparo Regional Corporation include:
* Brechin Castle / Esperanza
* Capara / Mamoral
* Caratal / Tortuga
* Calcutta #3 / Mc Bean
* Couva East / Balmain
* Couva West / Roystonia
* Claxton Bay / Pointe-a-Pierre
* Freeport / Chickland
* Gasparillo / Bonne Aventure
* Las Lomas / San Rafael
* Longdenville / Talparo
* Perseverance / Waterloo
* Piparo / San Pedro / Tabaquite
* Savonetta / Point Lisas
* St Mary's / Carlsen Field
In the 2023 Local Government Elections, the Elections and Boundaries Commission allocated four Alderman positions to the Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation, which is part of a 15-electoral district system. The individuals elected to these positions were:
* Wazim Dill Mohammed
* Anil Kamal
* Paul Bandoo
* Lee Dharam-Singh.
Notably, Wazim Dill Mohammed was sworn in as an Alderman at the age of 25, making him one of the youngest individuals in the history of the nation to hold this position.