Online Encyclopedia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an independent sovereign state of the Caribbean, part of the Commonwealth of Nations.
|
|||||
| 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 kmē Negligible |
||||
|
Population
- Density |
Ranked 176th
300/km² |
||||
| - Autonomy - Independence |
1969 1979 |
||||
| Currency | East Caribbean dollar | ||||
| Internet TLD | .VC | ||||
| Calling Code | 1 | ||||
| Contents |
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
| Countries in West Indies |
|---|
|
Antigua and Barbuda | Bahamas | Barbados | Cuba | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Grenada | Haiti | Jamaica | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Trinidad and Tobago |
|
Dependencies: Anguilla | Aruba | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Guadeloupe | Martinique | Montserrat | Netherlands Antilles | Puerto Rico | Turks and Caicos Islands | U.S. Virgin Islands |