Trinidad & Tobago

Christopher Columbus landed on the shores of Trinidad and Tobago in 1498, introducing Europe to the islands. The indigenous tribes of the Arawaks and Caribs already occupied the area, but this did not stop the Spanish ruling the island of Trinidad until it was captured by the British in 1797. Tobago has constantly changed ruler throughout the islands history, having being governed by the Spanish, Dutch, French and British to name but a few. It was not until both islands were under British rule in 1962 that the Crown administratively enjoined the two islands, leading to their eventual independence being declared in 1976.