<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The history of Trinidad and Tobago begins with the settlements of the islands by Amerindians, specifically the Island Carib and Arawak peoples . Both islands were explored by Christopher Columbus on his third voyage in 1498 . Trinidad remained in Spanish hands until 1797, but it was largely settled by French colonists . Tobago changed hands between the British, French, Dutch, and Courlanders, but eventually ended up in British hands following the second Treaty of Paris (1814). In 1889 the two islands were incorporated into a single crown colony . Trinidad and Tobago obtained its independence from the British Empire in 1962 and became a republic in 1976 . </P> <P> Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the island was inhabited by the indigenous Arawak people, and Carib people . The Caribs settled the northwest side of the island around Arima and Mucurapo, while the Arawaks concentrated to the southeast . Middens have been found in Cedros, Palo Seco and Erin . </P>

When did trinidad and tobago become an independent country