Author Oonya Kempadoo in “Tide Running” incorporates the culture, gender struggles and economy of the country where the novel is set in Tobago. The main characters Bella and Cliff play a small role compared to a much larger role within the novel. Furthermore, the island's colonial history serves as a foundation for the lives of Tobago's citizens today. The two island republics of Trinidad and Tobago have been one of the most influential nations of the English-speaking Caribbean having attracted a succession of Spanish, English, French, Africans and Indians and having also developed a Creole culture which, especially through its calypso music, has influenced the world. Its population is split fairly evenly between those of African and Indian descent, who speak English, as well as Hindi, French patois, and numerous island dialects. The capital, Port-of-Spain, nominally bears witness to the first European encounter, that of Christopher Columbus in 1498. He called it the Trinidad colony because of the three peaks at its southern end, and the name Tobago probably derives from tobacco. Spain initially took little interest in Trinidad due to its apparent lack of gold or other precious metals. It was not until 1532 that the Spanish first settled and brought the first African slaves with them to the islands. Trinidad remained firmly under Spanish control until 1783. Trinidad became a tug of war between many colonial powers. Spain colonized Trinidad in 1532 while Dutch settlers planted sugar on Tobago plantations in the 1630s. In 1781, France colonized Tobago and further developed its plantation economy. The English conquered Trinidad from Spain in 1797, and in 1802 Spain formally ceded the island to Great Britain. By 1784, the French were the dominant force...... middle of paper ......d Economic Studies, vol. 52, No. 2 (June 2003), pp. 167-170Published by: Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, University of the West IndiesStable article URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27865332Sharpe, Jenny and Samantha Pinto. "The Sweetest Taboo: Caribbean Sexuality Studies; A Review Essay." Signs: Journal Of Women In Culture & Society 32.1 (2006): 247-274. Comprehensive humanities international. Network. December 15, 2011."Trinidad and Tobago." Great Britain and the Americas: culture, politics and history. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2005. Creed Reference. Network. December 12, 2011."Trinidad and Tobago." Philip's Encyclopedia 2008. London: Philip's, 2008. Creed Reference. Network. December 14, 2011."TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO." Africa and the Americas: culture, politics and history. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2008. Creed Reference. Network. December 15 2011.