About our islands  

• About Trinidad & Tobago
• We highlight some of the nationals well-known in London and internationally

About Trinidad & Tobago

Christopher Columbus discovered Trinidad & Tobago in 1498. The then inhabitants on the island were the aboriginal people, the Caribs and Arawaks who still have descendants living in Trinidad. The first serious attempt to colonize and develop the islands was in 1777 when the King of Spain invited Frenchmen of the Roman Catholic Faith from the other West Indian islands to come to this beautiful twin islands. The French came in thousands bringing with them their captured slaves from the West Africa coast to cultivate sugar and cocoa plantations.

The last of the Spanish Governors Don Jose Maria Chacon put a great deal of energy into the colonies economic and social life and by the end of his rule in 1797 Trinidad and Tobago became one of the wealthiest islands in the West Indies. In February of that year a strong British fleet with instructions to take the island, sailed in and took possession without a shot being fired as the Spanish Navy consisting of five ships were set on fire by the Commander in the peaceful waters of Chaguaramas Bay.

With the abolishment of Slavery in 1834 Trinidad underwent a major change, with the slaves moving off the plantations a new source of labour had to be found. Indentured labour was the solution. This resulted in the arrival of a large population of East Indians to work the land, also a large number of Chinese who quickly found a niche in the business field as shopkeepers and merchants.

The British ruled the islands and remained in control until the islands gained independence in 1962. Our first prime Minister was Doctor Eric Williams. Trinidad & Tobago became Republic on 1st August 1976 and is currently Governed by our Prime Minister The Honourable Mr Patrick Manning and President His Excellency Sir Maxwell Richards.

In 2006 our country qualified for the World Cup with a strong team-The Soca Warriors who made our country proud and brought us worldwide recognition.

Today Trinidad & Tobago is an oil rich country with a multicultural mix of people who celebrate their different religions, backgrounds and culture as a nation in harmony.