Trinidad

Trinidad & Tobago were settled by Amerindians from the South American mainland. Named by Columbus on his third voyage in 1498, it remained a distant and neglected outpost of the Spanish empire until the late 18th century when an influx of French Catholic settlers arrived. Trinidad became a British colony in 1797 and Tobago became a British colony in 1814. In 1834 slavery was abolished and in 1845 Indian indentured immigration began to replace the Africans after the abolition of slavery. Trinidad was joined to Tobago in 1888. In 1941 US military bases were built in Trinidad and in 1956 self-government was proclaimed. Independence from Britain was granted to both islands in 1962 and they became a republic within the Commonwealth in 1976. Tobago is a 20-minute plane ride from Trinidad.

Trinidad & Tobago lie at the southernmost island in the Caribbean chain, only 7 miles from the Venezuelan coast and is geographically part of South America. The two islands are 21 miles apart. Trinidad is the larger island of the two (1,864 miles), is half-forested with a range of low mountains running along the north coast. There is a flat central plain, with rolling hills in the South. Tobago (116 square miles) has a central range of hills rising to 1,860 feet, with a flatter area to the south. The two islands were joined together as a single unit in 1888. The capital of both islands is Port of Spain. The two islands together have a population of 13 million, tracing their roots back to Africa (40%), India (40%), Europe, the Mediterrean, the Middle East and China.

The official language of Trinidad & Tobago is English and some Hindi is used in the Indian community. The old French-based patois has almost died out. Their government is democratic and executive power lies within the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. Legislative bodies are the House of Representatives and an appointed Senate. The Head of State, the President, is elected by the parliamentarians.

Trinidad and Tobago is the Caribbean's strongest economy and its biggest oil producer. Trinidad has a large industrial sector, including manufacturing, as well as a well-established sugar industry. Tobago is more dependent on tourism. To learn more about Trinidad and Tobago click here and link to Trinidad & Tobago's website: http://www.tidco.co.tt. Click on Back to return to Your Travel Source.

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