Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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225607189
2008-07-14T15:06:30Z
T-rex
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225596473 by [[Special:Contributions/96.239.55.181|96.239.55.181]] ([[User talk:96.239.55.181|talk]])
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{{Infobox Country
|native_name = Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|common_name = Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|image_flag = Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.svg
|image_coat = St Vincent and the Grenadines coa.gif
|image_map = LocationSaintVincentAndTheGrenadines.png
|national_motto = ''"Pax et justitia"''{{spaces|2}}<small>([[Latin]])<br/>"Peace and justice"</small>
|national_anthem = ''[[St Vincent Land So Beautiful]]''
|official_languages = [[English language|English]]
|National_languages = [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]],[[Vincention Patios]],[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]
|demonym = Vincentian
|capital = [[Kingstown]]
|latd=13 |latm=10 |latNS=N |longd=61 |longm=14 |longEW=W
|largest_city = capital
|government_type = [[Parliamentary system|Parliamentary democracy]] and [[constitutional monarchy]]
|leader_title1 = [[Monarch of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Monarch]]
|leader_name1 = [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]]
|leader_title2 = [[Governor-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Governor-General]]
|leader_name2 = Sir [[Frederick Ballantyne]]
|leader_title3 = [[Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name3 = [[Ralph Gonsalves]]
|sovereignty_type = [[Independence]]
|established_event1 = {{nowrap|from the [[United Kingdom]]}}
|established_date1 = [[27 October]] [[1979]]
|area_rank = 201st
|area_magnitude =
|area_km2 = 389
|area_sq_mi = 150
|percent_water = negligible
|population_estimate = 120,000
|population_estimate_rank = 182nd
|population_estimate_year = [[2008]]
|population_census =
|population_census_year =
|population_density_km2 = 307
|population_density_sq_mi = 792
|population_density_rank = 39th
|GDP_PPP = $342 million
|GDP_PPP_rank = 212nd
|GDP_PPP_year = [[2002]]
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $7,493
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 82nd
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.761
|HDI_rank = 93rd
|HDI_year = 2007
|HDI_category = <font color="orange">medium</font>
|currency = [[East Caribbean dollar]]
|currency_code = XCD
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = -4
|time_zone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST =
|cctld = [[.vc]]
|calling_code = 1 784
}}
'''Saint Vincent and the Grenadines''' is an island nation in the [[Lesser Antilles]] [[island arc|chain]] of the [[Caribbean Sea]]. Its {{convert|389|km2|sqmi|0|sing=on|lk=on}} territory consists of the main island of [[Saint Vincent (island)|Saint Vincent]] and the northern two-thirds of the [[Grenadines]]. The country has a French and [[British Empire|British]] colonial history and is now part of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] and [[Caribbean Community|CARICOM]].
== History ==
{{main|History of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
[[Carib]] Indians aggressively prevented [[Europe]]an settlement on St. Vincent until the [[18th century]]. Enslaved [[Africans]] - whether shipwrecked or escaped from Barbados, St. Lucia and Grenada and seeking refuge in mainland St. Vincent, or Hairouna as it was originally named by the Caribs - intermarried with the Caribs and became known as Garifuna or ''[[Garifuna|Black Caribs]]''. Beginning in [[1719]], [[France|French]] settlers cultivated coffee, tobacco, indigo, cotton, and sugar on plantations worked by enslaved Africans. In [[1763]], St. Vincent was ceded to Britain. Restored to French rule in [[1779]], St. Vincent was regained by the British under the [[Treaty of Paris (1783)]] in which Great Britain officially recognized the end of the American Revolution. Ancillary treaties were also signed with France and Spain, known as the Treaties of Versailles of 1783, part of which put St. Vincent back under British control.
Conflict between the British and the Black Caribs, led by defiant Paramount Chief [[Joseph Chatoyer]], continued until 1796, when General Sir [[Ralph Abercromby]] crushed a revolt fomented by the French radical Victor Hugues. More than 5,000 Black Caribs were eventually deported to [[Roatán]], an island off the coast of [[Honduras]].
Slavery was [[abolition of slavery|abolished]] in [[1834]]. After the apprenticeship period, which ended prematurely in 1838, labour shortages on the plantations resulted in the immigration of indentured servants. The Portuguese came from Madeira starting in the 1840s and shiploads of East Indian labourers arrived between 1861-1880. Conditions remained harsh for both former slaves and [http://www.svgindianheritage.com immigrant agricultural workers], as depressed world sugar prices kept the economy stagnant until the turn of the century.
From 1763 until independence, St. Vincent passed through various stages of colonial status under the British. A representative assembly was authorized in 1776, Crown Colony government installed in 1877, a legislative council created in 1925, and universal adult suffrage granted in 1951.
During this period, the British made several unsuccessful attempts to affiliate St. Vincent with other Windward Islands in order to govern the region through a unified administration. The colonies themselves, desirous of freedom from British rule, made a notable attempt at unification called [[West Indies Federation]], which collapsed in 1962. St. Vincent was granted associate statehood status on October 27th, 1969, giving it complete control over its internal affairs. Following a referendum in 1979, under Milton Cato St. Vincent and the Grenadines became the last of the Windward Islands to gain independence on the 10th anniversary of its associate statehood status, October 27th, 1979.
Natural disasters have featured in the country's history. In 1902, [[Soufrière (volcano)|La Soufrière volcano]] erupted, killing 2,000 people. Much farmland was damaged, and the economy deteriorated. In April 1979, La Soufrière erupted again. Although no one was killed, thousands had to be evacuated, and there was extensive agricultural damage. In 1980 and 1987, hurricanes compromised banana and coconut plantations; 1998 and 1999 also saw very active hurricane seasons, with [[Hurricane Lenny]] in 1999 causing extensive damage to the west coast of the island.
''See'' [[Treaty of Paris (1763)]]
== Politics ==
{{main|Politics of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
[[Image:Flag of the OECS.svg|thumb|left|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a full member of the [[Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States|OECS]].]]St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a [[parliamentary democracy]] within the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|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 [[Opposition (parliamentary)|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|Caribbean Community (CARICOM)]] and the [[Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States]] (OECS).
== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
[[Image:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-CIA WFB Map.png|thumb|Map of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
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 (island)|Saint Vincent]] ({{convert|344|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=/}}) and the northern two-thirds of the [[Grenadines]] ({{convert|45|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=/}}), a chain of small islands stretching south from Saint Vincent to Grenada.
=== Administrative divisions ===
{{main|Parishes of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
Administratively, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is divided into six [[parish (country subdivision)|parishes]], with five on Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines together comprising the sixth. [[Kingstown]] is located in the Parish of St. George and is the capital city and central administrative centre of the nation.
*[[Charlotte Parish, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Charlotte]]
*[[Grenadines Parish, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Grenadines]]
*[[Saint Andrew Parish, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Saint Andrew]]
*[[Saint David Parish, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Saint David]]
*[[Saint George Parish, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Saint George]]
*[[Saint Patrick Parish, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Saint Patrick]]
== Economy ==
{{main|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. The recent filming of the [[Pirates of the Caribbean films|Pirates of the Caribbean]] movies on the island has also helped to increase tourism and expose the country to the wider world. 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. In addition, the natives of [[Bequia]] are permitted to hunt up to four [[Humpback Whale]]s per year under [[International Whaling Commission|IWC]] subsistence quotas.
== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
Population: 118,149 (July 2007 est). Ethnic groups: Black 66%, Mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, Carib Amerindian 2%, Other 7%. Most Vincentians are the descendants of [[African]] people brought to the island to work on plantations. There are other ethnic groups such as [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]], [[East Indian]], [[Pakistan]]i and [[Syrians]] living on the island. There is also a growing [[Chinese people|Chinese]] population and a sizable minority of mixed race.
St. Vincent has a high rate of emigration. With extremely high unemployment and under-employment, population growth remains a major problem.[[Image:Port Elizabeth, Bequia.jpg|left|thumb|340px|Port Elizabeth, Bequia]]
=== Languages ===
{{main|Vincentian Creole}}
While the official language is English, many of the locals speak a [[dialect]] called [[Vincentian Creole]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Gordon |first=Raymond G., Jr. (ed.) |year=2005 |title=Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 15th edition |publisher=SIL International |location=Dallas, TX |url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=VC }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=St. Vincentians |url=http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Rwanda-to-Syria/St-Vincentians.html |work=everyculture.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Country Fact Sheet on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |url=http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/research/publications/index_e.htm?docid=306&cid=0&version=printable&disclaimer=show |pubisher=Research Directorate of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada }}</ref> English is used in education, government, religion, and other formal domains, while Creole (or 'dialect' as it is referred to by locals) is used in informal situations such as in the home and among friends.
==Sport==
{{seealso|Cricket in the West Indies}}
== Communications ==
In 2005, St. Vincent and the Grenadines had 22,500 telephone land lines. Its land telephone system is fully automatic and covers the entire island and all of the inhabited Grenadine islands. In 2004, there were 57,000 mobile phones. There is mobile phone coverage for most of St. Vincent as well as the Grenadines.
The country has only nine FM radio stations, one of which also operates on an AM frequency. It has one television broadcast station and one cable television provider.
* [http://www.nbcsvg.com/ NBC]
* [http://www.star983fm.com/ Star FM]
The country has two ISPs: [[Cable and Wireless]] [http://www.candw.vc] and [[Karib Kable]].
==See also==
* [[Foreign relations of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
* [[Transport in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
* [[The Scout Association of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
* [[Wesley Charles]]
* [[States headed by Elizabeth II]]
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
==References==
*Bobrow, Jill & Jinkins, Dana. 1985. ''St. Vincent and the Grenadines''. 4th Edition Revised and Updated, Concepts Publishing Co., Waitsfield, Vermont, 1993.
* Gonsalves, Ralph E. 1994. ''History and the Future: A Caribbean Perspective''. Quik-Print, Kingstown, St. Vincent.
*Williams, Eric. 1964. ''British Historians and the West Indies'', Port-of-Spain.
*[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/vc.html CIA Factbook entry]
*[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2345.htm US Dept of State Profile]
==External links==
{{Commons|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
*[http://numismondo.com/pm/stv/ St. Vincent Paper Money]
*[http://sv.usaroots.com/ St Vincent and the Grenadines Genealogy Research]
*[http://www.saintvincentbank.com Saint Vincent Bank]
*[http://www.gov.vc Official website of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines]
*[http://www.svgindianheritage.com Official website of the SVG Indian Heritage Foundation]
{{Template group
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|list =
{{Countries and territories of the Caribbean}}
{{Countries of North America}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = International membership
|list =
{{Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)|state=collapsed}}
{{Caribbean Community (CARICOM)|state=collapsed}}
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{{Anglophone states}}
{{English official language clickable map}}
<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines| ]]<!--Keep at start of list (eponymous category)-->
[[Category:Lesser Antilles]]
[[Category:CARICOM members]]
[[Category:Island countries]]
[[Category:Constitutional monarchies]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Amalgamated placenames]]
[[Category:Members of the Commonwealth of Nations]]
<!--Other languages-->
[[ar:سانت فنسينت والجرينادينز]]
[[an:San Bizén e as Granadinas]]
[[frp:Sant-Vincent-et-les Grenadenes]]
[[ast:San Vicente y les Granadines]]
[[zh-min-nan:Sèng Vincent kap Grenadines]]
[[be-x-old:Сьвяты Вінцэнт і Грэнадзіны]]
[[bs:Sveti Vincent i Grenadini]]
[[bg:Сейнт Винсент и Гренадини]]
[[ca:Saint Vincent i les Grenadines]]
[[ceb:Saint Vincent ug ang Grenadines]]
[[cs:Svatý Vincenc a Grenadiny]]
[[cy:Saint Vincent a'r Grenadines]]
[[da:Saint Vincent og Grenadinerne]]
[[de:St. Vincent und die Grenadinen]]
[[dv:ސަންތި ވިސެންޓޭ އަދި ގުރެނާޑީން]]
[[dsb:Saint Vincent a Grenadiny]]
[[et:Saint Vincent]]
[[el:Άγιος Βικέντιος και Γρεναδίνες]]
[[es:San Vicente y las Granadinas]]
[[eo:Sankta Vincento kaj Grenadinoj]]
[[eu:Saint Vincent eta Grenadinak]]
[[fa:سنت وینسنت و گرنادین]]
[[fr:Saint-Vincent-et-les Grenadines]]
[[fy:Sint Vincent en de Grenadinen]]
[[ga:San Uinseann agus na Greanáidíní]]
[[gv:Noo Winsen as Ny Grenadeeney]]
[[gd:Naomh Bhionsant agus Eileanan Greanadach]]
[[gl:San Vicente e Granadinas - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
[[ko:세인트빈센트 그레나딘]]
[[hi:सेंट विन्सेंट और ग्रेनाडीन्स]]
[[hr:Sveti Vincent i Grenadini]]
[[io:St Vincent e Grenadini]]
[[bpy:সেন্ট ভিনসেন্ট বারো গ্রেনাডাইন]]
[[id:Saint Vincent dan Grenadines]]
[[os:Сент-Винсент æмæ Гренадинтæ]]
[[is:Sankti Vinsent og Grenadíneyjar]]
[[it:Saint Vincent e Grenadine]]
[[he:סנט וינסנט והגרנדינים]]
[[kn:ಸೇಂಟ್ ವಿನ್ಸೆಂಟ್ ಮತ್ತು ಗ್ರೆನಡೀನ್ಸ್]]
[[kw:Sen Vinsent ha'n Ynysow Grenadinek]]
[[sw:Saint Vincent na Grenadini]]
[[ht:Sen Vensan ak Grenadin]]
[[ku:Saint Vincent û Granada]]
[[lv:Sentvinsenta un Grenadīnas]]
[[lb:Saint Vincent an d'Grenadinen]]
[[lt:Sent Vinsentas ir Grenadinai]]
[[lij:San Vinçenzo e Grenadinn-e]]
[[hu:Saint Vincent és a Grenadine-szigetek]]
[[mk:Свети Винсент и Гренадини]]
[[ms:Saint Vincent dan Grenadines]]
[[nah:San Vicente īhuān in Granaditēcah]]
[[nl:Saint Vincent en de Grenadines]]
[[ja:セントビンセント・グレナディーン]]
[[no:Saint Vincent og Grenadinene]]
[[nn:Saint Vincent og Grenadinane]]
[[nov:Sankte Vinsent e li Grenadines]]
[[oc:Sant Vincenç e las Grenadinas]]
[[uz:Saint Vincent va Grenadinlar]]
[[ps:سېنټ وېنسېنټ او ګرېناډينز]]
[[pms:San Vincens e Grenadin-e]]
[[nds:St. Vincent un de Grenadinen]]
[[pl:Saint Vincent i Grenadyny]]
[[pt:São Vicente e Granadinas]]
[[crh:Seynt Vinsent ve Grenadinler]]
[[ro:Sfântul Vincent şi Grenadine]]
[[ru:Сент-Винсент и Гренадины]]
[[sq:Shën Vincenti dhe Grenadinet]]
[[scn:Saint Vincent e Grenadine]]
[[simple:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
[[sk:Svätý Vincent a Grenadíny]]
[[sl:Saint Vincent in Grenadine]]
[[sr:Свети Винсент и Гренадини]]
[[sh:Sveti Vincent i Grenadini]]
[[fi:Saint Vincent ja Grenadiinit]]
[[sv:Saint Vincent och Grenadinerna]]
[[tl:San Vicente at ang Kagranadinahan]]
[[ta:செயிண்ட். வின்செண்ட் கிரெனேடின்ஸ்]]
[[th:ประเทศเซนต์วินเซนต์และเกรนาดีนส์]]
[[vi:Saint Vincent và Grenadines]]
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[[ur:سینٹ وینسینٹ و گریناڈائنز]]
[[vo:Saluda-Vinsenteän e Grenadineäns]]
[[wo:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
[[bat-smg:Sent Vinsents ėr Grėnadinā]]
[[zh:圣文森特和格林纳丁斯]]