St. Vincent and The Grenadines are some 32 islands and cays stretching south (about 48 miles) to the country of Grenada. St. Vincent has a mountainous interior, having La Soufriere, an active volcano in the north rising to 1,220 m (4,000 ft.) as its highest point, and a sheltered and indented coastline on the Leeward coast. St. Vincent is roughly 29 km (18 miles) long and 17.7 km (11 miles) wide and has an area of 344 sq. km (133 sq. miles), while the Grenadines comprise an additional 44 sq. km (17 square miles). Bequia covers 18 sq. km (7 sq. miles) and its highest peak is 268 m (881 ft.). The island of Mustique is 5 sq. km (1.9 sq. miles) and rises to 151 m (496 ft.) at its highest. Mount Royal at 274 m (900 ft.) is the highest point in the7.5 sq. km (3 sq. miles) island of Canouan. The 5.5 km (3 1/2 mile) long Union Island features as its highest peak Mt. Tobai which soars to 305 m (1,000 ft.) Mayreau, Saline Bay Mayreau, Saline Bay Of the numerous islands and cays that make up the Grenadines, Mustique, Palm Island and Union Island have become popular with the rich and famous - yachting, diving in the islands' deep blue waters and enjoying their beaches. All the islands are low-lying, ringed by coral reefs, and famed for some of the best beaches and sailing conditions on the planet. You can glide from island to island in an hour or so in trade winds of 10-25 knots, swimming ashore to a beach bar, watching giant sea turtles and bumping into visitors from all over the world for a drink at sunset. You can take ferries or fly in charter aircraft to see Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, the Tobago Cays, Union Island, Petit St Vincent and Palm Island. Lying just nine miles to the south of St. Vincent, Bequia is the largest of the Grenadine islands - a compact seven square miles. Her history has been deeply entwined with the sea for generations. The age-old traditions of boat-building, fishing and whaling are still evident. Mustique is 3 miles long and 1,5 miles wide at its widest point, is hilly, with a large plain in the north and is essentially composed of seven valleys each with a white sand beach and wooded hills that rise to a height of 495 feet. Set in the middle of the Grenadine archipelago, Canouan is an island of only 5 square miles. Mayreau Beach Mayreau Beach Mayreau lies west of the Tobago Cays. It is the smallest (1 1/2 square miles) of the inhabited Grenadine islands, with a population of two hundred and fifty-four people. Mayreau is accessible only by boat. The island is rimmed by magnificent sweeping white sandy beaches perfect for sailing and snorkeling. The huge Horseshoe Reef that protects Tobago Cays, five deserted islets, with their dazzling, palm-studded shorelines, provides some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world. Palm Island is a tiny resort island that is just a mile from Union Island, where you are met by the resort's private boat and transported to this 135-acre tropical oasis of unhurried rest and stress free relaxation. Union Island is located midway between Grenada and St. Vincent and is equidistant from Barbados, Trinidad and Martinique. Petit St. Vincent, or PSV, as it is often called, is one of the world's most enchanting hideaways. Over its varied terrain (113-acres) twenty-two private cottages are scattered some on hillsides, some set into the sides of cliffs, some right on the beach - all absolutely heavenly. There's something here for one and all from sailing and dolphin-watching, to hiking the nature trails and swimming in waterfalls. You can climb to the top of a volcano, or explore the fascinating underwater gardens surrounding this pristine archipelago. 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, 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. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/The_Grenadines/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:17:35 EST 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. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/The_Grenadines/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:17:35 EST The average yearly temperature is 27° C (81° F). The coolest months are between November and February. During the rainy season, May through October, rain is frequent in the mountains of St. Vincent with the annual average rainfall being 380 cm (150 inches) inland and 200 cm (80 inches) on the coast. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/weather/The_Grenadines/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:17:35 EST 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. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/car_rentals/The_Grenadines/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:17:35 EST Restaurants and Dining: http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/restaurants/The_Grenadines/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:17:35 EST