Amerindians from South America were the earliest inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad then came under the Spanish rule while Tobago became a British colony. This was followed by Britain acquiring both the islands during the Napoleonic wars and combined them in 1899. In 1976, Trinidad and Tobago detached themselves from the British rule and became a commonwealth republic.     

Trinidad and Tobago, the birthplace of calypso music and steelpan, is known all over the globe for its great history of music. The other popular art forms include soca—which is a type of calypso—parang, chutney, pichakree and the limbo dance. The most important cultural element of Trinidad and Tobago is its Carnival; their annual festival which is the biggest celebration of the island.   

The country comprises two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and a series of smaller islands. Trinidad and Tobago are characterised by a mixture of plains and mountain ranges that are located in the interior part of the island. The east and west coasts are swampy, while the north houses some of the most popular beaches. The south consists of pitch lakes, oilfields and several mud volcanoes.