Tobagos

Tobagos refers to the people of Tobago, the smaller of the two main islands that constitute the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Tobago lies in the southern Caribbean, about 40 kilometers northeast of Trinidad and off the coast of Venezuela. The island has a population around 60,000 and a diverse society of Afro-Tobagonian, Indo-Tobagonian, and mixed-heritage communities. English is the official language; Tobagonian Creole is spoken locally. The capital is Scarborough.

The Tobago House of Assembly governs local affairs, while the island remains part of the national framework of Trinidad and Tobago. Elections are held for the THA separately from national elections.

Historically, Tobago was inhabited by Arawak and Carib peoples before European contact. It was claimed by Spain and was later contested among colonial powers. It became a British colony and, with Trinidad, was unified as the colony of Trinidad and Tobago in 1889. The country gained independence in 1962, and Tobago established the Tobago House of Assembly in 1980 to handle local matters.

The economy is driven by tourism, fishing, and small-scale agriculture, with cultural and natural attractions drawing visitors. Notable features include Buccoo Reef Marine Park, the Nylon Pool, and the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere (designated 1776). The Crown Point International Airport serves international travel, and historic sites such as Fort King George add to its heritage. Tobagonian culture blends African, Indian, and European influences, with events like Tobago Carnival and a lively calypso/soca scene.