Tobago

Tobago, the most southerly of the Windward Islands belonging to Britain, lies 75 miles SE. of Grenada and 18½ miles NE. of Trinidad, is 32 miles long, from 6 to 7½ broad, and has an area of 114 sq. m. The island was discovered by Columbus in 1498, and named by him Assumption; the name of Tobago is supposed to have arisen from the free use of tobacco by the Caribs when first visited by Europeans. It has been frequently contested between Dutch, Spaniards, and French, but came into British possession in 1763. The island is volcanic, its surface being irregular and picturesque, and abounding in conical hills and spurs, all connected by a ridge running through the interior, the greatest elevation of which is 1800 feet above the level of the sea. From the high ridge descend deep and narrow ravines, which terminate in small alluvial plains. Scarborough is its chief town, pleasantly situated on the south side, and at the base of a conical hill rising 425 feet in altitude, crowned by Fort King George, now without garrison. The chief exports are rum, molasses, cocoa-nuts, and live-stock to the amount of from £20,000 to £40,000. The imports run from £20,000 to £30,000. Pop. (1880) 19,324; (1890) 20,727. The island was united with the colony of Trinidad in 1889, and has a commissioner appointed by the governor.