Capital:   Kingstown

Geography:  Like other Windward islands, SVG is volcanic and mountainous; the mountains are almost impenetrable, with Soufriere, an active volcano and  the highest peak on the island, rising to 4000 feet. Geographic coordinates - 13 15 N, 61 12 W 

Climate:  SVG's climate is tropical with rainy season from May to November.  Average temperatures range between 64 and 90 degrees fahrenheit. 

Demographics - 1999

Total Population	120,519
Average Annual Rate of Growth	.6%
Population Density	716 per sq. mile
Labor Force	41,000
Adult Literacy	82%
Age > 15 that has attended school	96%
Ethnic Division	Mainly African descent, with some European, East Indian, and Caribe Indian
Religions	Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Seventh-Day Adventist
Languages	English, French patois

Government:  SVG is a consitutional monarchy.  There are six administraive parishes: Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, and Saint Patrick.  Their legal system is based on English common law and they gained Independance from the UK on 20 October 1979. The Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II and the Head of Government is the elected Prime Minsiter, Sir James Fitz Allen Mitchell

Economy:  Agriculture and tourism are the most important sectors to the Vincention economy.  Economic growth for 1998 was 5.5% which was achieved by an increase in babnan production as well as an increase in the price of bananas.   It has also been stimulated by strong activity in the construction sector and an improvement in tourism. The government has been relatively unsuccessful at introducing new industries, and high unemployment rates of 35%-40% continue. The continuing dependence on a single crop represents the biggest obstacle to the islands' development; tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops inboth 1994 and 1995. The tourism sector has considerable potential for development over the next decade. GDP: purchasing power parity—$289 million (1998 est.) 

GDP:  Real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.); Per capita: purchasing power parity—$2,400 (1998 est.); Composition by sector: agriculture: 10.6%, industry: 17.5%, services: 71.9% (1996 est.) 

Inflation:  Average annual inflation was 3.6% over the period 1985-1995.  Consumer price inflation was .8% in 1998.

Exchange rate:  1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents; 1 US$ = 2.7 EC$ (fixed rate since 1976)

Education: There are 60 government primary schools providing free but not compulsory primary education; also five private primary schools. There are two government-assisted secondary schools; the 19 others are run by religious organisations. In 1994/5, 76% of children of the relevant age group were attending primary and 24% secondary school. The adult literacy rate is about 85%. There is one teacher training and one technical college, and plans for a new college. The A Level college is in its second year of operation

Regional Affiliations:  St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a member of Caribbean Community (Caricom), the 15-country regional body, the Organisation of  American States (OAS), and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).  It is also member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which links it with Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and (associate members) Anguilla and British Virgin Islands. OECS countries have a common currency, a shared judiciary service, defence and security arrangements, drugs service, civil aviation and fisheries management. The country is also a member of the ACP group of signatories to the Lomé Convention.
.
SOURCES:  The Commonwealth OnLine
                     CIA--The World Factbook 1999--Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
 

For Comparative Demographic and Economic Data on the Windward Islands, Click Here