The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is one of the largest and most prosperous countries in the Caribbean.  This is due to the countries petroleum and natural gas production and processing.  Located in the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean the islands’ closest neighbor is Venezuela.  It is slightly smaller than the state of Delaware.  Trinidad and Tobago’s population is 1.3 million.  Its inhabitants are mostly of African and Indian descent: South Asian Indians make up 40% of the country’s population; Africans make up 38%, and mixed 20%.  Reflecting this cultural diversity the people of Trinidad and Tobago speak English, Hindi, French, Spanish, and Chinese.  Trinidad and Tobago is a parliamentary democracy.  The house of representatives has 36 seats and its members are elected by popular vote.  The senate on the other hand is made up of 31 seats, and senators are appointed.  Trinidad and Tobago is the leading Caribbean producer of oil and gas.  Economic growth in 2006 reached 12.6% as prices for oil rose.  They export 12.5 billion dollars in goods every year, mostly Petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, and steel products.  Their main export partners are the US, Jamaica, and Barbados.  The country imports 9 billion in goods per year, mainly, machinery and transportation equipment.  Their main export partners are the US, Venezuela, Brazil, Japan, and Canada.  The country operates with a surplus of funds yearly.  Throughout its history Trinidad and Tobago exchanged hands many times between Spain, Britain, and France.  On August 31^st 1962 the two islands gained their independence from Britain.  The islands are tropical and have a rainy season between June and December.  They are made up of mostly plains with some hills and low mountains.  They harbor the lucrative natural resources of natural gas, petroleum, and asphalt.  Pitch Lake, on Trinidad’s southwestern coast is the world’s largest natural reservoir of asphalt.