Though sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1498, Tobago never became a Spanish colony. As a matter of fact, the island revolved among French and British control during the next 300 years, with also Dutch settlers. Many of the raids on the island occurred during the great European wars of the 18th century, including the Seven Years' War (1756-63).

The island was finally taken over by the British, for good, in 1803. The abolition of slavery in 1836, and the eventual collapse of the sugar crop thrust the island into economic despair. This led to the decision to unite the island with Trinidad in 1898. Tobago experienced a high in 1962 with the Independence of Trinidad and Tobago from Britain on August 31, 1962. But, a year later, the island suffered one of its darkest moments when it was struck by Hurricane Flora.

The need for a more direct administration of its local affairs was granted in 1980 with the creation of the Tobago House of Assembly, situated in Scarborough. The island's natural beauty has been a major asset to the country's tourism. This was helped in 1985 when Crown Point Airport was upgraded to international status, with the lengthening of the runway and the construction of a modern terminal building to replace the old one and the building of a larger harbour in Scarborough. The growing number of German (and Italian ) expatriates, purchasing land and settling on the island, became a noticeable phenomenon in the early 1990's. Tourism is expected to receive additional thrust in the upcoming years, particularly with the completion of the 750 acre Hilton Hotel and Resort at Lowlands.

 

	Tobago Heritage Festival- 2 weeks in July each year: Old Time Wedding and Goat and Crab Racing At left: Tobago Heritage Luise Kimme watercolour
	Bird Watching Little Tobago or Bird of Paradise , Northeast Tobago St. Giles Island, Northeast Tobago See http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/cartrinidad.htm http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/cartrinidad.htm for more information
	Luise Kimme Museum http://luisekimme.com Professor Luise Kimme, a German sculptor, lives below the village of Bethel, Tobago since 1979, where she has her studio and the Luise Kimme Sculpture Museum. Her unique Caribbean sculptures are created from native wood, often making use of the natural growth of trees and limbs. Visiting hours: Sundays from 9.00 am - 2.00 pm. Visits at other times can be arranged per telephone ( 868) 639-0257. (To get to the museum you pass the Mount Irvine Bay Hotel (Golf Course) and follow the "Luise Kimme Museum" signs all the way up.)
	Famous Tombstone at Plymouth Try and solve the riddle on Betty Stiven's tombstone in Plymouth.
	Arnos Vale Waterwheel Park Arnos Vale An intact waterwheel at this former sugar estate. There is also a small museum and trails for bird watching.Tel.: 660-0814
	Argyle Waterfall - near Roxborough A beautiful three-tiered waterfall, the highest in Tobago. This is a 15 min. hike to the top.There are government certified guides ( with badges) present to help you climb up the sides of the fall. Admission fee is about TT 20.00
	Buccoo Reef - glass bottom boat Tours Take a tour from Store Bay or Pigeon Point in a glass bottom boat to Buccoo Reef to observe the colourful coral fish swimming below the boat . At the reef you will be isued snokelling gear to observe the fish and coral formations under water.Afterwards take a dip in the "Nylon Pool" This is a crystal clear area of water, about 4 feet deep in the middle of much deeper water in the lagoon.
	Fort King George - Scarborough Built in the 1770s, it is Tobago's best preserved historical monument.
	Courland Monument - Plymouth The Site of the Oldest Fort and Town in Tobago The Dutch town Nieuw Vlissingen and settlement Nieuw Walcheren (1628-1630) twice destroyed by the Spaniards and Caribs. Later the capital (Fort Jacobus and Jacobusstadt)of the Couronian Colony Neu-Kurland (Jaunkurzeme) and the site of the oldest church Evangelical-Lutheran) in Tobago (1654--1659; renamed as Fort Beveren under the Dutch occupation 1659-1664). Restored to the Couronians by the English; remained as a point of attraction to the French, Dutch, British and Carib invaders for the next 160 years. Under the benevolent rule (with interruptions, from 1639 to 1693) of the Dukes of Courland in Latvia, the Germans, Latvians, Scandinavians, Dutch, British, French, Jews, Caribs and Gambians from Africa formed an International Settlement of free men at the Great Courlans Bay, engaged in trade with North America, Brazil, Europe and Africa. Other Couronian Settlements were located at Black Rock (Fort Bennett), Mount Irvine (Little Courland Bay), Fort Monick, Fort Schmoll, Fort Casimir, King Peter Bay (Kalpi Bay) and Castara (Coerse Bay,Kursu Licis)
	Crusoe's Cave- near Crown Point Tobago, also called Crusoe's Island, is said to be the island on which Daniel Defoe modelled his famous book. This is the cave where the fictional character dwelled.
	Botanical Gardens- near Scarborough
	Turtle Beach- Observe the leatherback turtles come ashore from March to August
	Mt Irvine Golf Course- MT Irvine Play golf at Tobago's Mt Irvine championship golf course