Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island Caribbean state spanning 5,128 square kilometers (1,980 square miles). Its population numbers approximately 1.1 million people, among whom 40.3 percent are of East Indian descent; 39.5 percent are of African descent; 18.4 percent are of mixed ancestry; 1.2 percent are Chinese, Syrian-Lebanese, and other nationalities; and 0.6 percent are of European descent. The official language is English, and the twin island's residents are principally Roman Catholic (29.4%), Hindu (23.8%), Anglican (10.9%), Muslim (5.8%), and Presbyterian (3.4%). A viable oil and natural gas industry and tourism make the country one of the richest in the Caribbean area: In 2003 the per capita income was estimated at $9,600.

Trinidad and Tobago were merged as a single British colony on January 1, 1889, and became independent on August 31, 1962. The system of government is a parliamentary democracy. Eric Williams (1911–1981) was the nation's first prime minister.

The government of Trinidad and Tobago has five main features:

1. The inclusion of a...