Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Government
Parliamentary democracy.

Geography
St. Vincent, chief island of the chain, is 29 km long and 8 km, island is mountainous and well forested. The Grenadines, a chain of nearly 600 islets with a total area of only 27 sq km, extend for 96 km between St. Vincent and Grenada. The main islands in the Grenadines are Bequia, Balliceau, Canouan, Mayreau, Mustique, Isle D’Quatre, Petit Saint Vincent, and Union Island.

Historical Bckground
Resistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on St. Vincent until 1719. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979.

Name

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Capital

Kingstown

Language

English

Area

Total 389 km2 (198th) 150 sq mi  Water (%) negligible

Population

2008 estimate 120,000 (182nd)  Density 307/km2 (39th) 792/sq mi

Currency

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)