About Tobago

Originally named 'Tobaco' by the Aboriginals, after the long-stemmed pipe they used to smoke what we call tobacco, Tobago was a natural resource of wealth. Fertile soil, a wide variety of flora and fauna, the diverse terrain and an ideal location were some of the elements that made the island a prized gem for the Europeans. Christopher Columbus first spotted Tobago while sailing from Trinidad on August 13th 1498, and other explorers soon followed. Subsequent to this, over a period of approximately 250 years, there were numerous upheavals during the quest for the ownership by the Spanish, British, Dutch, Courlanders, French, and even the Americans. Today, the diverse community of Tobagonians has blended the influences of the past to create an existence that does not reflect a single over-riding influence, but forms a unique heritage all its own.

In 1876, Tobago became a Crown Colony and in 1889, became a ward of Trinidad. Tobago gained full independence from the British on August 31st, 1962 and became a Republic on September 24th, 1976.

Each historical site embodies a specific chapter in the history of the island. The information carried within attempts to piece together this vivid and sometimes fragmented story to lend relevance to the what you see today. Sometimes, however, the sheer beauty or atmosphere of the site imparts its legacy without need for words. If visitors absorb what is around them, they can experience and enjoy a bit of history in their own journey.

Culture

Tobago's culture is as diverse as the various countries that colonized it.

Every year, around the month of November, there is a fusion of all the cultural traditions of Trinidad and Tobago. This showcase of talent culminates from a series of concerts where each village competes for the title of Best Village, receiving the highest award for folk performance. You will certainly see a reflection of every type of song and dance indigenous to our country.

Other cornerstones of Tobago's culture are remnants of our African ancestry, among these are folk tales and superstitions, drums, and dances like the reel and jig. From mid-July to the beginning of August each year, the Tobago Heritage Festival caravan roves from village to village, reviving customs from our African ancestry.

Carnival Tobago's Carnival is more than just steelpan and calypso; it includes an amalgam of heritage contributions like speech band, jab jab, bottle and spoon and drums. Tobago Fest is a recent extension of Carnival which takes place during September/October each year.

Tobago's culture is also reflected in its delectable cuisine, especially in dishes such as coo-coo, crab and callaloo, and pone.

Holidays

Trinidad and Tobago celebrates 13 festive and religious holidays each year. Carnival Monday and Tuesday, the two days before Ash Wednesday are unofficial holidays. In Tobago, an extra unofficial day is celebrated as Easter Tuesday.

Geography

Tobago lies south of the hurricane belt, at Latitude 11°N and Longitude 60°W, just off the coast of South America. Tobago rests 21 miles (33km) northeast of Trinidad the most southerly island of the Caribbean. The island is surrounded by the tranquil Caribbean sea on its North Coast with the less calm Atlantic Ocean on its southern and western sides.

Topography

Tobago is an undulating mass of coral and volcanic rock. The Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Tobago's backbone, is a hilly range of forest, which covers over 60% of the island, with its summit Pigeon Peak at 1,860 feet (549 metres) above sea level.

Climate

Tobago boasts a warm, tropical marine climate, with constant cool breezes from NE trade winds and year round temperatures ranging from 23°C (73°F) to 32°C (89°F). There is a dry season for the first six months of the year, while the months from July to December account for the rainier periods of the year, with average rainfall measuring 200cm (40in.)

Size

Area - 116 sq. miles (300 sq. km). The island is 16 miles long and seven miles wide.

Population

54,084 (Census 2000).

Capital

The capital of Tobago is Scarborough, with a population of just over 1,000. The area of Canaan/Bon Accord/Crown Point, on the southwestern tip of the island is the busiest, fastest developing area of the island, with all the major facilities and amenities of the capital.

Economy

Unlike Trinidad's highly industrialized economy, Tobago relies heavily on the service sector. Tourism, agriculture and fishing are Tobago's major revenue-earners.

Language

English - Locals also use a local Creole dialect, which is an intriguing mélange of patois and extracts from our European colonizers, especially the French and Dutch and our Amerindian ancestors.

People

About 90% of the local population is of African descent, with an interspersing of East Indians and Syrians.

Time Zone

We use Atlantic Standard Time, which is one hour ahead of US Eastern Standard Time and four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.

(Excerpted from www.visittobago.gov.tt.)