Trinidad and Tobago: flag, capital, currency and history
Trinidad and Tobago, officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is a country in Caribbean, the Americas. Its capital is Port of Spain. The currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar. Languages spoken include English.
Quick facts about Trinidad and Tobago
- Official name
- Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
- Capital
- Port of Spain
- Region
- Americas, Caribbean
- Currency
- Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD, $)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +1868
- Internet domain
- .tt
- Area
- 5,130 km² (1,981 sq mi)
- Land borders
- None (island or surrounded by water)
- Demonym
- Trinidadian
- National day
- Independence Day, August 31
Flag of Trinidad and Tobago
Download the flag of Trinidad and Tobago as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇹🇹.
History of Trinidad and Tobago
Indigenous Amerindian peoples lived on Trinidad and Tobago when Christopher Columbus sighted Trinidad in 1498. Spain colonised Trinidad, while Tobago was contested by several European powers. Britain took Trinidad from Spain in 1797, and Tobago was ceded to Britain in 1814. Slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1834, and indentured labourers, mainly from India, arrived from 1845. The two islands were joined as a single colony in 1889. Independence came in 1962, and the country became a republic within the Commonwealth in 1976. Oil and natural gas are important to its economy.
Key dates
- 1498Christopher Columbus sights Trinidad on his third voyage.
- 1797Britain captures Trinidad from Spain.
- 1814Tobago is formally ceded to Britain.
- 1845Indentured labourers from India begin arriving in Trinidad.
- 1889Trinidad and Tobago are joined as a single British colony.
- 1962The country becomes independent on 31 August.
- 1976Trinidad and Tobago becomes a republic within the Commonwealth.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago uses the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD, $). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Festivals and greetings in Trinidad and Tobago
Celebrations observed in Trinidad and Tobago, with free greeting images and wishes you can personalise.
All greeting images for Trinidad and Tobago · Festival calendar
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Trinidad and Tobago?
The capital of Trinidad and Tobago is Port of Spain.
What currency does Trinidad and Tobago use?
Trinidad and Tobago uses the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD, symbol $).
What languages are spoken in Trinidad and Tobago?
Languages used in Trinidad and Tobago include English.
What is the calling code of Trinidad and Tobago?
The international calling code of Trinidad and Tobago is +1868. Its internet domain is .tt.
Which countries border Trinidad and Tobago?
Trinidad and Tobago has no land borders and is surrounded by water.
On which continent is Trinidad and Tobago?
Trinidad and Tobago is in Caribbean, part of the Americas, in the region of Caribbean.
What is the national day of Trinidad and Tobago?
Trinidad and Tobago marks Independence Day on August 31.
More countries in Caribbean
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).