Trinidad & Tobago

Overview

Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island nation just off the coast of Venezuela. Trinidad is known for its Carnival, steelpan music and energy industry, and Tobago for its beaches and reefs.

History

Christopher Columbus arrived on the islands in 1498 and named Trinidad after the three peaks of south-east and Tobago after the local brand of the tobacco pipe.

Trinidad was under the Spanish empire while Tobago was under the French rule. Trinidad was surrendered to Britain in 1802 while Tobago was surrendered to Britain in 1814.

Slavery was abolished in the two regions in 1834.

The two regions joined together in 1889 as a British colony. The two then gained independence as a single republic in 1976.

Food & culture

The country’s culture is influenced by European, African, Spanish and Indian cultures.

The major crops grown in the country are coffee, coconut, cocoa, vegetables and citrus fruits.

The most popular dishes are pelau, rice dishes, stewed chicken, breadfruit, macaroni and calaloo.

Wildlife

Common wildlife animals found in the country are porcupine, capuchin, agouti, ocelots, raccoon, peccary, anteater, armadillo and howler monkeys.

Festivals & events

Major events held in the country are Carnival, Easter Weekend, Phagwa, Corpus Christi, Emancipation Day, Tobago Heritage Festival and Spiritual Baptist.

Things to see

Maracas Beach is a bay with sandy beaches on the island of Trinidad.

The Pitch Lake is the world’s largest natural deposit of asphalt.

Englishman Bay is a secluded beach on the coast of Tobago.

Other must-visit places are Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Little Tobago and Queen’s Park Savannah.

Interesting facts

The country produced the first black winner of the Miss Universe Pageant.

The largest deposit of Asphalt in the world is Trinidad.

Neighbours

Trinidad & Tobago has no land borders with other countries.