Tobago Island

Tobago, the smaller island of Trinidad & Tobago, lies about 35 km North-East of the island of Trinidad. It is characterized by the Main Ridge, a mountainous range that runs from the South-West to the North-East. The highest peak is 576 meters above sea level. In contrast to the more active main island, Tobago is essentially a tropical paradise without industry.

Topographically, Tobago distinguishes itself strongly from its sibling island. The reason may be found in the fact that Tobago separated itself from the main island during earlier geological eras, even as Trinidad was separating itself from the South America (by continental drift). While Trinidad is an active island, Tobago, only 40 km long by 12 km wide, provides a more restful stay. Virtually the whole of the island's surface is covered by tropical vegetation or agriculture. The locals, overwhelmingly of African origin, enjoy a livelihood based on plantation-farming (coconuts and cocoa) plus fishing. Tourism also plays a big role. Tobago claims to be the setting of Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe island-novel - though Chileans can substantiate a claim that their country's San Fernandez island, in the Pacific Ocean, is the site. Defoe (1660-1731) moved the locale of the adventures of the Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk to the island of Tobago, since this island suited him better for development of his story. However, the purported Robinson-cave on the North-West coast has nothing to do with the Scottish sailor.

History:

In the time before Columbus, this island was a significant stop-off-point for the Arawaks, who set up numerous communities. When Columbus sailed southward from Grenada to Trinidad, in 1498, he must have spotted the island, but there is no entry in his log-book.

Later colonizers gave it the name 'Tabago' - derived from the Y-shaped tube used by ancient aborigines as a tobacco-pipe - called 'tabaco'.

In the 17th century, Dutch settlers brought sugar cane as a commercial crop, which, in the 18th century, became a major agricultural product, and helped the cultivators become quite rich. Subsequently, sugar production suffered severe setbacks and great tracts were then replanted with trees.

After multiple changes of ownership, severe pirate incursions and invasions, Tobago finally became governed by Great Britain in 1803 - even though it was to have gone to the French as part of the Treaty of Amiens (1802). In 1889, Tobago, together with its island-neighbor, was established as a British colony, and, in 1962, achieved independence simultaneously with Trinidad.