San Fernando, officially the City of San Fernando, is the most populous city and second most populous municipality in Trinidad and Tobago, after Chaguanas. Sando, as it is known to many local Trinidadians, occupies 19 km<sup>2</sup> and is located in the southwestern part of the island of Trinidad. It is bounded to the north by the Guaracara River, the south by the Oropouche River, the east by the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway, and the west by the Gulf of Paria. The former borough was elevated to the status of a city corporation on 18 November 1988. The motto of San Fernando is: "Sanitas Fortis" - In a Healthy Environment We Will Find Strength. San Fernando is called Trinidad and Tobago's "industrial capital" because of its proximity to the Pointe-à-Pierre oil refinery and many other petrochemical, LNG, iron and steel and aluminium smelters in places such as Point Lisas in Couva, Point Fortin, and La Brea.
Geography Of San Fernando
thumb|right|San Fernando Hill
San Fernando is a coastal city. It is bounded by the Guaracara River to the north, the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway to the east, the Southern Main Road to the southeast, and the Oropouche River to the south. The city proper is located on the flanks of two hills – San Fernando Hill (formerly known as Naparima Hill) and Alexander Hill. Several mansions on the pinnacle of Alexander Hill house belong to some of the more prominent San Fernandian families. The Cipero, Vistabella, Marabella and Godineau Rivers all enter the sea within the city limits.
Cityscape
San Fernando, unlike Port of Spain, does not have many skyscrapers. The tallest building in the city is the 18-story San Fernando Teaching Hospital, an extension of the San Fernando General Hospital. Some notable areas within San Fernando are:
- Downtown is the commercial centre of the city. Independence Avenue, commonly known by the pre-independence name of Broadway, runs through this area of the city. High Street is the centre of most commercial activity in the city, running from Chancery Lane/Independence Avenue to Pointe a Pierre Road. This area is also home to King's Wharf and the San Fernando Waterfront, currently the subject of a major redevelopment project. The Water Taxi and Bus Terminals are located on the Waterfront. Many of the cities schools and medical centres are located in this area.
- Pleasantville is a suburban area to the east of the city, flanked by the San Fernando Bypass and the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway respectively.
- Vistabella, Sumadh Gardens and St. Joseph are residential areas immediately to the north of the city, surrounding San Fernando Hill.
- Marabella is a town often considered part of the Greater San Fernando area. It is a major commercial centre and is especially notable for its proximity to the former Petrotrin oil refinery. It is often considered the northern limit of the city.
- Cocoyea and Mon Repos are located to the east of the city, along the San Fernando Bypass.
Some of the major roadways within the city include the San Fernando Bypass, Lady Hailes Avenue, Independence Avenue, Pointe a Pierre Road, Cipero Street, Coffee Street, Rushworth Street, Royal Road, Navet Road and the Southern Main Road.
San Fernando is especially notable for the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), Skinner Park, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, King's Wharf and the San Fernando General Hospital. It is also notable for its commercial centres and malls: South Park, C3 Centre, Carlton Centre, Gulf City Mall, Gopaul Lands, and numerous smaller shopping centres and areas centered around High Street and Cipero Street.
San Fernando is sometimes said to be the Southern capital of the country, and supportive of this name is the major role the city plays as the centre of many activities for people in South Trinidad; many people go to school and work in the city every day.
Climate
San Fernando has a tropical rainforest climate, bordering on a tropical monsoon climate. Although the city does not technically qualify as having a true dry season, there is a noticeably drier stretch from February to April.