Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad and Tobago Petroleum at one point made Trinidad one of the richest colonies in the British Empire. Today, the twin-island nation is independent and the first in the West Indies to become a republic rather than retaining the British monarch as Head of State. The capital is Port of Spain, and the official language is English. The nation has its own dollar but US currency is widely accepted. The population of about 1.3 million comprises one of the most diverse mixtures on earth. They include descendants of immigrants from Africa, China, India, Europe, Syria and many other places. "Trinis," as Trinidadians call themselves, are a friendly,lot known for their fine, French-oriented cuisine. The smaller laid-back island of Tobago is believed to be the place Robert Louis Stevenson had in mind when he wrote Treasure Island. From the standpoint of lush scenery and mountain tops, it is indeed a treasure island. These southernmost Caribbean islands blend East Indian and West Indian. African and European cultures. Bustling Trinidad relies on industry and agriculture above tourism, but visitors are drawn to its nature preserves, steelpan music and carnival rivaling Rio's Tobago, 5 hrs. away by ferry (20 mins. by air) is tranquil and unhurried. Trinidad is 50 miles long and 37 miles wide 1,864 square miles; mountainous in the north, its highest point is 3,085 ft. above sea level. 22 miles to the northeast, Tobago is 22 miles by 7 miles, 116 square miles; on weekends its beaches draw Trinidadians in droves. Average temperature high/lows 88 / 74 summer, 86 / 68 rainy season Average humidity 84% summer. Average annual rainfall 74 in., most of it in the summer. As mentioned above, English is the official language but French, Spanish and Hindi are also quite common.