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TRINIDAD & TOBAGOFirst 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. The government is coping with a rise in violent crime. WHEN TO GO Located at 11 degrees north latitude, the temperatue varies little throughout the year. The dry season from December to May is probably the best time to visit.. June to August is the wet season. FACTS ABOUT TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
- Coordinates: 11 00 N, 61 00 W
- Area: 5,128 sq km
- Coastline: 362 km
- Max elevation: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m
- Population: 1,047,366
- Capital: Port-of-Spain
- Government: Parliamentary democracy
- Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)
- Internet Country Code: .tt
- Calling Code: 868
- Ethnic groups: Indian (South Asian) 40%, African 37.5%, mixed 20.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.8%
- Languages: English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese
- Religions: Roman Catholic 26%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Muslim 5.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, other Christian 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9%
- Major Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles
- Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt
- Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December)
- Average sea surface temp: 27 °C
- Average annual rainfall: 1300 mm - 3500 mm
- Average tourist arrivals: 395,000
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