Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation north of Trinidad and Tobago.
Bananas and other agricultural products remain the staple of this lower-middle income country’s economy. Although tourism and other services have been growing moderately, the government has been ineffective at introducing new industries. Unemployment remains high, and economic growth hinges upon seasonal variations in the agricultural and tourism sectors.
Capital: Kingstown
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD). “$” or “EC$” (XCD). US$1 ≈ EC$2.7 (pegged).
Population: 199,300
Language. English
Country Code: +1784
Drive on the left.
HISTORY
While the English were the first to lay claim to St. Vincent in 1627, the French would be the first European settlers on the island when they established their first colony at Barrouallie on the Leeward side of St. Vincent shortly before 1700. Carib Indians aggressively prevented European settlement on St. Vincent until the 18th century. African slaves, whether shipwrecked or escaped from St. Lucia or Grenada and seeking refuge in St. Vincent, intermarried with the Caribs. St. Vincent was ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Paris in 1763, restored to French rule in 1779 and regained by the British under the Treaty of Versailles in 1783.
Slavery was abolished in 1834; the resulting labour shortages on the plantations attracted Portuguese immigrants in the 1840s and east Indians in the 1860s. From 1763 until independence, St. Vincent passed through various stages of colonial status under the British and it was granted associate statehood status on October 27, 1969, giving it complete control over its internal affairs. Following a referendum in 1979, St. Vincent and the Grenadines became the last of the Windward Islands to gain full independence.
Natural disasters have plagued the country throughout the 20th century. In 1902, Soufrière volcano erupted, killing 2,000 people. Much farmland was damaged, and the economy deteriorated. In April 1979, La Soufriere erupted again. Although no one was killed, thousands had to be evacuated, and there was extensive agricultural damage. In 1980 and 1987, hurricanes devastated 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.
Climate. Tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November). Hurricanes threaten the islands from July to October.
Landscape. Volcanic, mountainous. Highest point: Soufriere volcano (St Vincent) 1,234m
REGIONS
Saint Vincent, the largest island, the majority of the territory
Grenadines an archipelago of 32 islands and cays, to the south
GET IN
By plane. Argyle International Airport (SVD). Most flights are relatively local, mostly flying to nearby islands such as Canouan, St. Lucia, Barbados, and Saint Kitts.
By boat. Very few cruises stop in the country and the vast majority of travellers come to the country either by aeroplane or yacht.
GET AROUND
The island is relatively small, but the mountainous landscape makes it difficult to get around. The main highways run along the coasts and as such it is necessary to drive around the whole of the island to get from one side to the other.
By bus. Vans that act as a bus service. They ride fast and recklessly, hence you get a free rollercoaster ride for the fare. Many have graphics on the front and play loud music. Driving is on the left.
SEE
Tobago Cays Marine Park in the Grenadines.
Sites where the movies The Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed.
DO
Carnival in early July a.k.a. Vincy Mas (much music and drinking)
Eat pork or chicken at a roadside barbecue on Friday or Saturday night
Enjoy the view from Fort Charlotte
Visit Montreal Gardens
Hike the Vermont Nature Trail
Visit the Botanical Gardens
Climb La Soufriere Volcano (not an easy climb!)
Visit the Arawak Rock Carvings
Black Point Tunnel
Hike up to and enjoy the view from Fort Duvernette
Walk through the forests and plantations of the Mesopotamia Valley
Drink. Bitter Lemon and Fruit Cocktail are popular sodas. Hairoun is a popular locally produced beer. Adventurous drinkers will want to try Black Wine.
Sleep. If you want to get a taste of the true culture, consider a guesthouse or apartment in Kingstown. Fort View Guest House in Edinboro is a good choice. It is within walking distance of downtown Kingstown.
Safety
Hurricanes are an annual risk. The La Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is occasionally active, but a sophisticated advance warning system is in place and resulted in zero casualties in its latest eruption in 1979.
Health. In Kingstown, the water is safe to drink, but be a bit careful at some other locations. The water quality can vary depending upon the season of the year and how the water (often rain water) is collected.
Connect. St. Vincent uses the North American style of calling codes, where all local numbers are seven digits. The area code for the islands is 784.
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NOMAD MANIA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – St.Vincent (Kingstown)
Tentative WHS
Rock Art of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (18/06/2012)
The La Soufrière National Park (18/06/2012) (Sight)
Islands: Saint Vincent
Borders: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (sea border/port)
Airports: St. Vincent (SVD)
Religious Temples: Leone: Leone Church of Zion
World of Nature
Cumberland Forest Reserve
Vermont Nature Trail
Rivers: Colonarie River
Festivals
Nine Mornings
Vincy Mas
Cities of the Americas
KINGSTOWN World Capital
Museums: National Museum
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Fort Charlotte
Religious Temples: Cathedral of the Assumption
Botanical Gardens: St Vincent Botanical Gardens (Sight)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++NOMAD MANIA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Grenadines (Bequia, Union, Canouan)
Tentative WHS: Grenadines Island Group (18/06/2012)
M@P: Petit St Vincent
Borders: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (sea border/port)
World of Nature: Tobago Cays Marine Park
Islands
MUSTIQUE
UNION
BEQUIA
Airports: Bequia (BQU)
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Fort Hamilton
Festivals: Bequia Music Festival
Zoos: Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary
Beaches:
Lower Bay Beach
Friendship Beach
Maritime/Ship Museums: Bequia Maritime Museum
CANOUAN
Airports: Canouan (CIW)
Religious Temples: Canouan Anglican Church