The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, a member of the British Commonwealth situated 7 miles (11 km.) off the coast of Venezuela, has an area of 1,981 sq. mi. (5,130 sq. km.) and a population of 1.34 million. Capital: Port-of-Spain. The island of Trinidad contains the world?s largest natural asphalt bog. Birds of Paradise live on little Tobago, the only place outside of their native New Guinea where they can be found in a wild state. Petroleum and petroleum products are the mainstay of economy. Petroleum products, crude oil and sugar are exported. ,Trinidad and Tobago was discovered by Columbus in 1498. Trinidad remained under Spanish rule from the time of its settlement in 1592 until its capture by the British in 1797. It was ceded to the British in 1802. Tobago was occupied at various times by the French, Dutch and British before being ceded to Britain in 1814. Trinidad and Tobago were merged into a single colony in 1888. The colony was part of the Federation of the West Indies until Aug. 31, 1962, when it became an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations. A new constitution establishing a republican form of government was adopted on Aug. 1, 1975. The president is Chief of States. The prime minister is Head of Government. ,, ,Notes of the British Caribbean circulated between 1950-1964.,, Rulers:,,, ,British to 1976,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Dollar = 100 Cents,, ,5 Dollars = 1 Pound 10 Pence,,