Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is an island nation located in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. The two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, are separated by the Gulf of Paria. Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two islands, with a population of 1.3 million. Tobago has a population of just over 100,000. The islands were originally inhabited by the indigenous Arawak and Carib peoples. Trinidad was claimed by Spain in the late 15th century, and Tobago was claimed by the British in the 17th century. The two islands were united as a single colony in 1889. Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from the UK in 1962. The country has a diverse population, with people of African, East Indian, Chinese, and European descent. The official language is English, but Hindi, French, and Spanish are also widely spoken. The economy of Trinidad and Tobago is largely based on oil and gas production. The country is one of the world’s leading exporters of liquefied natural gas. Tourism is also an important sector, with visitors drawn to the islands’ beaches and rainforests. Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. The capital city is Port of Spain, and the largest city is San Fernando.