Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, State of the Caribbean; 389 km2, 110 000 residents (2019).Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which is located in the southern part of the Little Antilles, consists of the main island of Saint Vincent (344 km 2 ) and the northern part of the archipelago of Grenadines with small islands of between 1 and 18 km 2. The capital is Kingstown (12,900 residents, 2013).
Country facts
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines / Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Country abbreviation: VC
- Area: 389 km2
- Population (2019): 110,000 residents
- Capital: Kingstown
- Main language: English
- State: Monarchy
- Head of State: Elizabeth II (Queen)
- Head of Government: Ralph Gonsalves
- Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 7,378
- GNI per capita (2018): US $ 7,940
- Currency unit: 1 East Caribbean dollar = 100 cents
- Currency code: XCD
- Country number (telephony): 1
- Internet domain name: vc
- Time difference compared to Sweden: −5
- National Day: October 27 (Independence Day, 1979)
Nature
- Land use: forest (36%), agricultural land (28%), other (36%)
- Highest mountain: Soufrière (1,234 m above sea level)
Population
- Population density (2019): 283 residents per km2
- Natural population growth (2019): 0.5%; birth rate 14 ‰, death rate 9 ‰
- Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (23%), 15-64 (68%), 65- (9%)
- Average life expectancy (2019): men 70 years, women 75 years
- Infant mortality (2019): 15 per 1,000 live births
- Population forecast 2050: 100,000 residents
- HDI (2017): 0.723 (place 99 of 189)
- Urbanization rate (2019): 52%
- Most populous city (2013): Kingstown (12,900 residents)
Business
- Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (7%), industry (17%), service (76%)
- Export (2017): US $ 47 million
- Main export products: agricultural products
- Main exporting countries: Jordan, France, Barbados
- Imports (2017): US $ 296 million
- Main import products: food, machinery
- Main importing countries: USA, Trinidad and Tobago, UK
- Railway network: nothing in operation
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines consists of the main island of Saint Vincent and the northern part of the archipelago Grenadines with small islands. The land is part of a volcanic arch. The coasts have coral reefs and dazzling white sand beaches. The islands have a warm and humid tropical climate.
The country is a parliamentary democracy and an independent state within the Commonwealth. The British monarch is the head of state and is represented by a general governor. Parliamentary elections are held every five years. The country became independent in 1979.
The most important industries are agriculture, tourism and light industry. The government’s decision to invest in the tourism industry has led to an upswing in the construction sector. As in the neighboring islands, bananas are the most important crop. Other important crops and export goods are coconuts, sweet potatoes, vegetables and arrow root. The fairly limited industry mainly deals with the processing of agricultural products.