Background: Disputed between France and Great Britain in the 18th century Saint Vincent was ceded to the latter in 1783. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 84 km

Maritime claims
Extended economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Terrain: volcanic, mountainous; Soufriere volcano on the island of St. Vincent

Natural resources: negligible

Land use: 38% arable land; 12% permanent crops; 6% meadows and pastures; 41% forest and woodland; 3% other; includes 3% irrigated

Geography
Note: some islands of the Grenadines group are administered by Grenada

Population: 104,891 (July 1989), growth rate 0.6% (1989)

Nationality: noun--St. Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s; adjectives--St. Vincentian or Vincentian

Ethnic groups: mainly of black African descent; remainder mixed, with some white, East Indian, Carib Indian

Languages: English, some French patois

Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Seventh-Day Adventist

Birth rate: 27 births/1000 population (1989)

Death rate: 6 deaths/1000 population (1989)

Net migration rate: - 15 migrants/1000 population (1989)

Environment
Current issues: subject to hurricanes; Soufriere volcano is a constant threat

Infant mortality rate: 26 deaths/1000 live births (1989)

Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 74 years female (1989)

Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1989)

Literacy: 82%

Country name: conventional long form: none

Government type: independent state within Commonwealth, recognizing Elizabeth II as Chief of State

Capital: Kingstown

Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick

Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1970)

Constitution: 27 October 1979

Legal system: based on English common law; highest judicial body is Court of Appeal of Leeward and Windward Islands

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Executive branch: Henry Harvey WILLIAMS, Acting Governor General (since 1988; James F. MITCHELL, Prime Minister (since 1984)

Legislative branch: Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force

International organization participation: CARICOM, EEC, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IMO, OAS, OECS, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none

Flag description: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern

Economy overview: Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of the economy, providing employment for over 60% of the labor force and contributing about 20% to GDP. The services sector is next in importance, based mostly on a growing tourist industry. In 1986 services grew by 4.4% and accounted for 15% of GDP. The economy continues to have a high unemployment rate of 40% because of an overdependence on the weather-plagued banana crop as a major export earner. Government progress toward diversifying into new industries has been relatively unsuccessful.

Agriculture products: bananas, arrowroot, coconuts, spices, vegetables; small numbers of cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats

Industries: food processing (sugar, flour), cement, furniture, rum, starch, sheet metal, beverage

Industrial production growth rate: - 1.2% (1986)

Labor force: 67,000 (1984 est.)

Unemployment rate: 40% (1987 est.)

Budget: revenues $42.7 million; expenditures $67.5 million, including capital expenditures of $25.8 (FY88)

Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June

Exports: $63.8 million (f.o.b., 1986)
Commodities: --bananas, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch, copra
Partners: CARICOM 60%, UK 27%, US 10%

Imports: $87.3 million (c.i.f., 1986)
Commodities: --foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels
Partners: US 37%, CARICOM 18%, UK 13%

Debt external: $35 million (July 1987)

Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)

Electricity
Capacity: 16,600 kW capacity; 63.7 million kWh produced, 610 kWh per capita (1988)

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: NA

Airports: 6 total, 6 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Merchant marine: 128 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 939,596 GRT/1,460,445 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 75 cargo, 4 container, 6 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 4 refrigerated cargo, 5 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 28 bulk, 4 combination bulk; note--a flag of convenience registry