Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
A state on the island of Saint Vincent and 32 small islands (the Grenadines) in the archipelago of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, between North and South America. Total area — 389.3 km². Capital — Kingstown (19,000).
Administrative-territorial division — 6 districts. Population — 117,000 (2005) (85% — blacks and mulattos).
Official language — English. Religion: predominately Protestantism (Anglicanism, Methodism); Catholicism.
Currency unit - East Caribbean dollar = 100 cents.
Diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation were established on September 17, 2002.
National holiday — October 27 — Independence Day (1979).
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an independent state within the Commonwealth, headed by the United Kingdom. According to the constitution (which came into force on October 27, 1979), the head of state is recognized as the Queen of the United Kingdom, represented by a Governor-General (since 2002 — F. N. Ballantyne). The legislative authority is vested in the House of Assembly (a unicameral parliament), consisting of 15 members elected by the population (the last elections were held on March 28, 2001) for a term of 5 years, and 6 appointed senators. The executive power belongs to the government, headed by the Prime Minister (since 2001 — R. Gonzalves).
Political parties: The New Democratic Party (NDP) — established in 1975, opposition, leader - A. Eustace (3 seats in parliament). The United Labour Party (ULP) was established in 1994, ruling, part of the Socialist International, leader - R. Gonzalves (12 seats).
Trade unions: The United Workers' Union - established in 1952, National Movement of Workers, Union of Workers of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - established in 1943, part of the WFTU and ITUC.
The first Europeans to visit the island in 1498 were the Spaniards, led by Christopher Columbus. Until the 17th century, it was a possession of Spain. During the 17th-18th centuries, it alternated under the control of France and England. According to the Treaty of Versailles, in 1783 it finally became a colony of Great Britain. Until 1956, it was part of the Windward Islands, from 1958 to 1962 - part of the West Indies Federation. In 1969, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were declared an "associated state with Great Britain." On October 27, 1979, independence was proclaimed for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Member of the UN (since 1980), OAS (since 1981), Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Caribbean Community, and several other international organizations.
In 2002, the GDP of the islands amounted to 342 million USD. The economy is primarily based on agriculture (26% of the self-employed population, contributing 10% of GDP) and tourism. The main cash crop of the islands is bananas (80,000 tons annually). Saint Vincent is a leading global producer of arrowroot starch. Sugarcane, coconuts, vegetables, tobacco, cassava, coffee, and cocoa are also grown.
Industry (26% of GDP) is based on the processing of local agricultural raw materials, including the production of flour, rum, beer, and dairy products. There are enterprises for the production of cement, furniture, and clothing. Recently, companies have emerged for the assembly of electrical equipment and the manufacturing of tennis rackets. The government is trying to attract foreign financial companies to the islands through favorable tax policies. Under the islands' flag, about 600 sea vessels are registered.
Export volume - 38 million USD, import - 174 million USD (2002). Exports include - bananas (39% of exports), vegetables, tobacco; imports include - food, equipment, chemicals, fertilizers, fuel. Main trading partners: USA (41% of import value), Caribbean Community countries, United Kingdom.
External debt - 167 million USD (2000).
Consumer price index growth - 0.5% (2001). Unemployment rate - 15% (2001). Literacy - 96% of the population.
There are no railways. The total length of roads is 829 km (of which more than 580 km are all-weather). Main port - Kingstown. Main airport - Argyle International Airport, 3 km from Kingstown.
There is a teacher training institute and a technical college. Several periodicals are published, including the weekly "Vincentian" (6,000 copies). There are government and commercial radio and television stations.
