| Also known as: |
Jewels of the
Caribbean (Named Hairoun by the Caribs (The Home of the
Blessed)) |
| Motto: |
Peace and Justice |
| Location: |
St. Vincent is situated in the Windward Islands
at the lower end of the Caribbean chain; the Grenadines comprise
a chain of little islands and rocks between St Vincent and
Grenada. It is volcanic and densely forested. |
| History: |
St. Vincent and the
Grenadines was originally settled by Amerindians.
Struggle for possession by the French and the British ended with
the British in control in 1783 (apart from French occupation from
1778-1783). The island gained independence in 1979. |
| Elections: |
Last elections 2005.
Next elections 2010. |
| Ruling Party: |
Unity Labour Party (ULP) |
| Major Political Parties: |
United Labour Party (ULP), New Democratic Party
(NDP) |
| Status: |
Independent - 27 October
1979 |
| Capital: |
Kingstown |
| Head of State: |
Sir Frederick Nathaniel Ballantyne,
Governor General |
| Head of Government: |
Dr.
the Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves
Prime Minister
Date of Birth: 8 August, 1946
Marital Status: Married
Education:
1966-69: B.Sc. Economics, UWI
1969-71: M.Sc. Government, UWI
1971-74: Ph.D. Government, Victoria Univ. of Manchester,
England
1981: Degree of Utter Barrister, Gray's Inn, London, England
Professional/Political
Career:
1974-76: Lecturer, Dept. of Government, UWI
1980: Visiting Professor, Queen's College, City University
of New York
1981-2001: Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
1994: Member of Parliament
1998-present: Leader, Unity Labour Party
1999-2002: Leader, Opposition Party in Parliament
2001: Prime Minister 2005: Re-elected Prime Minister
|
| Economic Summary: |
Economic activity
is predominantly in Agriculture,
with bananas being the main export crop, and the country
is the world's main supplier of arrowroot (now of minor importance). Flowers
and foliage plants are among the export commodities.
Plantains and sweet potatoes are exported
to Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and other regional markets.
There
is a small manufacturing sector catering primarily for the
regional market. A brewery and a rice and flour mill
are in full operation along with electronic components assembly
ventures.
Tourism is concentrated mainly on the Grenadines
island chain, where there are high quality beaches featuring
luxury villas, hotels and yachts.
A small offshore financial
sector came on stream from about the mid 1990s. |
| Airports: |
E.T. Joshua (St. Vincent); James
Mitchell International |
| Status: |
Independent - 27 October
1979 |
| Capital: |
Kingstown |
| Area: |
389 km2 (150 miles2) |
| Population: |
100,596 (2004) |
| Currency: |
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) |
| GDP : |
EC$1,489 Mn (2007) |
| Total Exports: |
EC$102.9 Mn (2006) |
| Total Imports: |
EC$733.0 Mn (2006) |
| Intra-Regional Exports: |
EC$669 Mn (2006) |
| Intra-Regional Imports: |
EC$239.0 (2006) |
| Business Hours: |
Commercial: 8:00-12:00; 13:00-16:00 hrs
Monday to Friday
Government: 8:30-12:00, 13:00-16:00
hrs Monday to Friday |
| National Holidays: |
New Year's Day (1 January); National Heroes'
Day (14 March); Good Friday; Easter Monday; May Day (5 May);
Whit Monday; CARICOM Day (first Monday in July); Carnival Tuesday
(day after CARICOM Day); Emancipation Day (01 August);
Independence Day (27 October); Christmas Day (25 December);
Boxing Day (26 December)
Holidays that fall on Sunday are
celebrated the following Monday |
| Date of CARICOM Membership: |
1 May 1974 |
| National Anthem: |
St. Vincent Land so beautiful
With joyful hearts
we pledge to thee
Our loyalty and love, and vow
To keep you ever free.
Chorus:
Whate'er the future brings
Our faith will see us through.
May peace reign from shore to shore,
And God bless and keep us true.
Hairoun our fair and blessed isle,
Your mountains high, so clear and green,|
Are home to me, though I may stray,
A haven, calm,
serene.
Our little sister islands are
Those gems, the lovely Grenadines,
Upon their seas and golden sands,
The sunshine ever beams! |
| Highest National Awards: |
Order of British Empire
Member of British Empire |
| National Dish: |
Fried Jack Fish and Roasted Breadfruit |
| Government website: |
http://www.gov.vc |
| National Symbols: |
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