Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an independent sovereign state of the Caribbean, part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Pax et justitia Latin: Peace and justice
Official language	English
Capital	Kingstown
Queen	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Sir Frederick Ballantyne
Prime Minister	Ralph Gonsalves
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 182nd 389 km² Negligible
Population  - Total (July 2003 est)  - Density	Ranked 176th 116,812 300/km²
- Autonomy  - Independence	1969 1979
Currency	East Caribbean dollar
Internet TLD	.VC
Calling Code	1

History

Main article: History of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Disputed between France and Great Britain in the 18th century, Saint Vincent was ceded to the latter in 1783. Autonomy was granted in 1969, and independence in 1979.

See also: Treaty of Paris (1763)

Politics

Main article: Politics of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and is represented on the island by a governor general, an office with mostly ceremonial functions. Control of the government rests with the prime minister and the cabinet.

The country has no formal armed forces, though Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force includes a Special Service Unit.

Geography and parishes

Main article: Geography of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is divided into 6 parishes: Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of this lower-middle-income economy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The government has been relatively unsuccessful at introducing new industries, and a high unemployment rate of 22% continues. The continuing dependence on a single crop represents the biggest obstacle to the islands' development; tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in both 1994 and 1995. The tourism sector has considerable potential for development over the next decade. Recent growth has been stimulated by strong activity in the construction sector and an improvement in tourism. There is a small manufacturing sector and a small offshore financial sector whose particularly restrictive secrecy laws have caused some international concern.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Communications

In 1998, Saint Vincent had 20,500 telephones. Its telephone system is islandwide and fully automatic, with VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the Grenadines and Barbados. It has a new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and to Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia

In 1998 it had four radio stations (1 AM, 3 FM). In 1997 it had one television station (plus three repeaters). In 2000 it had 15 ISPs. In 2001 it had 3,500 internet users

Miscellaneous topics

• Foreign relations of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Transportation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

References

• CIA Factbook entry (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/vc.html)
• US Dept of State Profile (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2345.htm)

de:St. Vincent und die Grenadinen et:Saint Vincent es:San Vicente y las Granadinas eo:Sent-Vincento kaj Grenadinoj fr:Saint-Vincent-et-les Grenadines nl:Saint Vincent en de Grenadines ja:セントビンセントおよびグレナディーン諸島 no:Saint Vincent og Grenadinene pl:Saint Vincent i Grenadyny pt:São Vicente e Granadinas ru:Сент-Винсент и Гренадины sl:Saint Vincent in Grenadine sv:Saint Vincent och Grenadinerna uk:Сент-Вінсент і Гренадини