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The Grenadines Facts
- The Economy:: top
Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of this economy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. Recent growth has been stimulated by strong activity in the construction sector and an improvement in tourism. 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. There is a small manufacturing sector and a small offshore financial sector. The GDP is growing at an annual rate of approximately 4%. .
- Health:: top
There are six public hospitals, including Kingstown General Hospital, and Maryfield Hospital, Lowmans and Bequia Casualty Hospital, Port Elizabeth, and three privately owned hospitals. Community care is provided by 38 outpatient clinics located throughout the country. Each clinic serves about 3,000 people and is easily accessible. Health centres are well staffed and provide a wide range of services, including midwifery, family planning, immunization and emergency care. St. Vincent has a mental health centre and a home for the elderly. The life expectancy is 68 years for men and 72 years for women.
- Electricity:: top
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a reliable supply of electricity. Electricity is generally 220/240 volt, 50 cycle, except for Petit St. Vincent which has 110 volt, 60 cycle. Most hotels have 110 volt shaver outlets. The standard electrical plug has 3 rectangular pins so remember to pack an adapter.
- Education:: top
The Vincentian educational system is modelled on the British system. School is compulsory up to age 15 and government schools are free at the primary and secondary levels. Post secondary education is provided through polytechnics and Kingstown Medical College, a campus of St. George's University (Grenada), located near Kingstown. The University maintains affiliations with hospitals for clinical programmes in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean.
- Immigration, Work Permits & Visas:: top
Citizens of Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States need only a passport or proof of citizenship (birth certificate or voter's registration card) to visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines for up to six months. All other arrivals into St. Vincent and the Grenadines must present a valid passport. A return or onward ticket is required of all visitors. Work permits are available from the Prime Minister's office on Bay Street, Kingstown.
- Airports:: top
There are six airports in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with E. T. Joshua Airport in Kingstown being the largest. The four small domestic airports are located in Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union Island. There is also a private airport on Palm Island. These airports are serviced by LIAT, Caribbean Star, BWIA Express, SVG Air, Mustique Airways, and TIA. American Eagle services Canouan. A departure tax of $35 EC is charged to all passengers leaving the country.
- Seaport & Shipping:: top
Kingstown has a natural deepwater harbour with a wharf to accommodate two oceangoing ships. There are regular services between St. Vincent and the major ports in North America, Europe and the Caribbean. A new container park at Kingstown and a new container port at Campden Park have been completed.
- Location:: top
St. Vincent and the Grenadines, part of the Windward Islands, are located at 13° 15 N, 61° 12 W. Their closest neighbours are Grenada, 120 km (75 miles) to the south, St. Lucia 40 km (24 miles) to the north and Barbados 160 km (100 miles) to the east. St. Vincent is the largest of the more than 30 islands that comprise the nation, covering roughly 390 sq. km (150 sq. miles). The Grenadines extend 72 km (45 miles) to the southwest, like a kite's tail. The major islands, north to south, are Young Island, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island, and Petit St. Vincent.
- Water:: top
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has an abundant supply of potable water as the level of rainfall is high.
- Roads:: top
There are 580 km (360 miles) of surfaced roads with the Leeward and Windward highways traversing either side of the country. Country roads can be narrow with steep inclines and declines so exercise caution.
- Population & Labour Force:: top
The population is estimated to be 109,022 with about a quarter of the people living in the capital, Kingstown and its suburbs and 8% on the Grenadines. The ethnic mix consists of 66% percent of African descent, 19% of mixed race, 2% Amerindian/black, 6% East Indian and 4% European. The labour force is estimated at 41,000. Recent data indicates an unemployment rate of 22%.
- How to Get There: top
St. Vincent is reached by air from North America and Europe through five major gateways - Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico and Trinidad - with connections to Union Island, Canouan, Mustique, Bequia, or St. Vincent.
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, BWIA and Air Jamaica, all provide excellent service to the gateways; while American Eagle, BWIA Express, Caribbean Star Airlines, Caribbean Sun, LIAT, SVG Air, Trans Island Air and Mustique Airways all provide a convenient connecting service from the gateways.
Flight time to St. Vincent is approximately 35 minutes from Barbados; 30 minutes from Grenada; 45 minutes from Martinique; 20 minutes from St. Lucia; 2 hours 20 minutes from Puerto Rico.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has an information desk in the Arrivals Section of Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados, open daily from approximately 1.00pm until the last flight to St. Vincent departs. Personnel are on hand to assist travellers in making connections to their final destinations.
- Telecommunications:: top
St Vincent and the Grenadines has a state of the art fibre optic digital telephone system. Internet, Boatphone, Cellular service, telex, telegraph and facsimile access are also available. The international area code is 1-784 followed by the local seven-digit number. Phonecards are available through outlets islandwide as are Phonecard booths. International Direct Dialing (IDD) service is available to most destinations in the world and International calls can be made using your credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, AT & T and Bell are accepted) by dialing the operator.
If you want to use a mobile telephone Cable & Wireless,AT&T and Digicel have a digital and GSM mobile network.Visitors from North america can roam in all the islands.
- Safety:: top
Centipede and Scorpion bites
While not lethal, the severity and degree of discomfort depends on individual sensitivity. If there is - any doubt, you should see a doctor, especially if a child has been bitten
Coconut Palms
Never leave a baby or a small child beneath a coconut palm, it is possible for the coconut or dead fronds to fall off the tree at any moment causing serious injury.
ILLegal Drugs
Visitors need to be aware that there are very severe penalties for possession of illegal drugs like Cannabis (weed or ganja), cocaine - up to life imprisonment and yacht confiscation. Customs officials are well equipped and trained, so no attempts should be made to import or export even small quantities for "personal use."
Manchineel
Avoid contact with Manchineel trees orfruit.The fruit, commonly known as Manchineel Apples, since they look and smell just like small apples, are very poisonous and sap from the tree and fruit blisters the skin. Therefore, if it is raining, be sure that the tree you are sheltering under is not a manchineel, as drops of rain falling off can still produce the same unpleasant effect.
Mosquitos and Sandflies
Not a large problem here but people with sensitive skin may be bothered. There are many repellents you can use to prevent bites, however, creams are available in pharmacies to relieve itching and promote healing if required.
Sea Urchins
A black sea egg with long black spines. If the spines are protruding from your skin then you can try to carefully remove them; but if they are beneath the skin DO NOT try to "dig" them out as this could cause infection. If you leave them in your skin then they eventually dissolve and disappear. To be safe, soak with vinegar or some form of antiseptic
- Money:: top
The currency of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$). Notes are issued in denominations of $100, 50, 20,10, 5 and 2. Coins are issued in denominations of $1 and 25,10, 5 and 1 cents. The exchange rate is tied to the US dollar at a rate of $2.68.
- The Government:: top
St Vincent and the Grenadines is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and is represented on the island by a governor general. Independence was achieved on October 27th, 1979. The unicameral parliament, the House of Assembly, has 15 elected representatives and six senators who are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The parliamentary term of office is five years, although the Prime Minister may call elections at any time.
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