Government
Parliamentary democracy.
Geography
Trinidad, the larger at 4,828 sq km, is mainly flat and rolling, with mountains in the north that reach a height of 3,085 ft at Mount Aripo. Tobago, at just 300 sq km, is heavily forested with hardwood trees.
Historical Background
First colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in 19th century. Contract laborers from India between 1845 and 1917, boosted sugar production as well as the cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export. Independence was attained in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean.
Capital
Port of Spain
Government
Parliamentary republic - President George Maxwell Richards - Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Area
Total 5,131 km2 (171st) 1,981 sq mi
Population
-January 2011 estimate 1,310,000 (152nd
Currency
Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)
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