The Port of Spain Corporation is the municipal body responsible for the affairs of Port of Spain, capital City of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago which is situated on the southern most tip of the English-speaking East Caribbean island chain, just about seven miles east off Venezuela, South America.

The authority of the Port of Spain Corporation is vested in Act No. 21 of 1990 of the Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, cited as "The Municipal Corporations Act."

The current Act is the latest in a line of Ordinances which have been applied to Port of Spain as Trinidad and Tobago underwent various changes in government administration over the years.

Port of Spain has so far been governed by the following Ordinances:

• The Illustrious Cabildo, the legal institution of Spanish rule of Trinidad, was moved to Port of Spain from St. Joseph in 1783.

• The change from the Cabildo to the town Council under British rule from 1840 to 1853.

• The change to Borough Council under the Municipal Corporation Ordinance No. 10 of 1853 until 1899.

• Ordinance No. 1 dated January 18, 1899 when the Borough Council was abolished by the British Governor. Municipal rights of citizens were also abolished.

• Ordinance No. 24 of 1914 proclaimed on June 25, elevating Port of Spain to City Status and restoring the municipal rights of citizens.

• The Port of Spain Ordinance Chapter 39, No. 1 of the revised Laws of Trinidad and Tobago, 1950.

• The current Act: Act No. 21 of 1990 of the Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Corporation is headed by the Council, the political arm which comprises twelve elected local government district representatives (known as Councillors) and four Aldermen elected by the Councillors from outside the Council.

The Council is presided over by His Worship the Mayor who is effectively the chief custodian of the City.

The Council formulates policy and gives direction for the running of the City through a number of Standing Committees which each meet at least once per month.

Decisions are then ratified at the Statutory Meeting of the Council which takes place on the last Thursday of each month.

The policies and directives of the Council are executed by the Administrative arm of the Corporation which is headed by the Chief Executive Officer and has under his charge a number of senior officers and a workforce of about 3,000 daily-paid and 300monthly-paid employees.

The Chief Executive Officer and his staff are public servants functioning under the regulations of the Statutory Authorities Service Commissions Ordinance.

Situated on the North-West Peninsula of Trinidad, Port of Spain measures about 10.4 km or about four square miles in area, has 12,000 hereditaments with a resident population of about 60,000 and a daily transient population of about 250,000.

The total population of Trinidad and Tobago is about 1.5 million.