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
Contiguous zone: 24 nm
Exclusive 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 Saint Vincent

Natural resources: negligible

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

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

Population: 114,221 (July 1991), growth rate 1.4% (1991)

Nationality: noun--Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s; adjectives--Saint 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 (1991)

Death rate: 6 deaths/1000 population (1991)

Net migration rate: - 7 migrants/1000 population (1991)

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

Infant mortality rate: 31 deaths/1000 live births (1991)

Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 72 years female (1991)

Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1991)

Literacy: 96% (male 96%, female 96%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)

Country name: conventional long form: none

Government type: constitutional monarchy

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 (1979)

Constitution: 27 October 1979

Legal system: based on English common law

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Executive branch: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General David JACK (since 29 Septermber 1989; Head of Government--Prime Minister James F. MITCHELL (since 30 July 1984)

Legislative branch: Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Coast Guard

Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

International organization participation: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, 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. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The economy continues to have a high unemployment rate of 30% 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: accounts for 15% of GDP and 60% of labor force; provides bulk of exports; products--bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, hogs, goats; small fish catch used locally

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

Industrial production growth rate: 0% (1989; accounts for 14% of GDP

Labor force: 67,000 (1984 est.)

Unemployment rate: 30% (1989 est.)

Budget: revenues $62 million; expenditures $67 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (FY90 est.)

Fiscal year: calendar year (as of January 1991; previously 1 July-30 June

Exports: $74.6 million (f.o.b., 1989)

Imports: $127.5 million (c.i.f., 1989)

Debt external: $42.2 million (FY89)

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

Electricity
Capacity: 16,600 kW capacity; 64 million kWh produced, 570 kWh per capita (1990)

Military expenditures
Percent of gdp: $NA, NA% of GDP

Airports: 6 total, 6 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Merchant marine: 242 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,855,061 GRT/2,919,872 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 132 cargo, 11 container, 15 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 9 refrigerated cargo, 13 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 4 liquefied gas, 44 bulk, 6 combination bulk, 1 vehicle carrier; note--China owns 3 ships; a flag of convenience registry