Saint David

Saint David (Saint David pl.) – the parish, which is an administrative unit of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is situated on the island of Saint Vincent. Its capital is Chateaubelair.

Saint Andrew

Saint Andrew (pl. Holy Andrey) – parish, which is an administrative unit of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines located on the island of Saint Vincent. Its capital is Layou.

Economy

The country exported in 2002 for 42.2 million U.S. dollars of goods. 31% of which were bananas, 16% flour, 11% rice. The four main trading partners are here with Britain 40%, 10% of Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia 9% and 9% Barbados.

An important economic factor is tourism, many of the jobs entails. How come 61% of the work of the service followed by 20% and 15% of industrial agriculture.

A major problem in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the high unemployment, which is 22%.

The gross national product in 2002 stood at 282.5 million euros. That corresponds to 2,416 euros per capita.

Politics

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. There is a parliamentary opposition made of the largest minority stakeholder in general elections, headed by the leader of the opposition. The current Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the Honourable Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, affectionately called “Comrade.”

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

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are a full & participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Geography

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines lies between Saint Lucia and Grenada in the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, an island arc of the Caribbean Sea. The islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines include the main island of Saint Vincent (344 km²/133 sq mi) and the northern two-thirds of the Grenadines (45 km²/17 sq mi), a chain of small islands stretching south from Saint Vincent to Grenada.

When to Go

The temperature on balmy St Vincent hardly changes. January to May are the driest months and thus the best time to go, but they’re also the peak tourist season. The wetter months can still be nice, and they keep the islands lush and green.

Kingstown

Kingstown, estimated population 15,900 (July 1999), is the chief port of Saint Vincent, and the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is located at 13°10′N, 61°14′W. Kingstown is a center for the island’s agricultural industry and a port of entry for tourists. Exports include bananas, coconuts, and arrowroot.