Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an independent sovereign state of the Caribbean, part of the Commonwealth of Nations.
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| National motto: Xxxxx | |||||
| Languages | English, French patois | ||||
| Capital | Kingstown | ||||
| Queen | Elizabeth II | ||||
| Governor General | Sir Fredrick Nathaniel Ballantyne | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| Table of contents |
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2 Politics 3 Parishes 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Communications 8 Foreign relations 9 Culture 10 Miscellaneous topics 11 References |
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)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is divided into 6 parishes: Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick.
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.
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
Saint Vincent protests Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea
Saint Vincent is a transshipment point for South American illicit drugs destined for the US and Europe.
History
Main article: History of Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesPolitics
Main article: Politics of Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesParishes
Main article: Parishes of Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesGeography
Main article: Geography of Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesEconomy
Main article: Economy of Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesDemographics
Main article: Demographics of Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesCommunications
Main article: Communications in Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesForeign relations
Main article: Foreign relations of Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesCulture
Main article: Culture of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
| Date | English Name | Local Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
Miscellaneous topics
References
