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Trinidad and Tobago Background Information

First colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in the early 19th century. The islands' sugar industry was hurt by the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. Manpower was replaced with the importation of contract laborers from India between 1845 and 1917, which 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 thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing.

Trinidad and Tobago Quickstats

  • Population: 1,056,608 (July 2007 est.)
  • Area: 5,128 sq km
  • Density: 207.8 /km² (47th)
  • GDP (total): $18.352 billion (113th)
  • GDP (per capita): $19,700 (46th)
  • Literacy: 98.6%

Languages of Trinidad and Tobago

Useful to know

  • Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)
  • Dial code: [[+1-868]]

International Trade

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