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Admiralty Bay, Bequia
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Overview
Picturesque St. Vincent & the Grenadines(SVG), a necklace of 32 islands
and cays in the Eastern Caribbean, lie at approxiamtely 1600 miles southeast
of Miami. Situated between St. Lucia in the north, Grenada in the
south, and Barbados in the east, SVG forms part of the Winward Islands
in the West Indies. St. Vincent is the largest of the islands
that comprise the nation, covering roughly 150 square miles. The
Grenadines extend 45 miles to the southwest. The major islands, north
to south, are Young Isalnd, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island,
Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent. SVG encompasess an area that is approximately
twice the size of Washington, DC.
One of
the great attractions of SVG is its fascinating cultural mix. A unique
blend of English traditions and African heritage combine with French, Creole,
Portuguese and West Indian influences to creat a lifestyle that is distinctly
"Vincentian".
St Vincent
and the Grenadines is rated as a lower-middle income country, with a relatively
undeveloped economy but providing a relatively high quality of life.
Its economy is vulnerable as the economic base is very small, and is heavily
dependent on agriculture. Economic growth fluctuates with agricultural
output and prices on world markets (especially for the main export crop,
bananas). The governments is keenly aware of the economy’s economic vulnerability,
and thus is a strong supporter of Caribbean integration, particularly
Eastern Caribbean integration.
This report
focuses on the information technology (IT) landscape of SVG. In the
Eastern Caribbean, significant IT investment and revenue growth is
presently taking place. IT has been targeted as an enabler for the
advancement and globalization of these small island economies. This
report looks to outline the existing infrastructure in SVG, as well opportunities
for development in this area, in support of broad-based economic
growth and social development.
Wherever
possible, comparisons will be made with other Caribbean islands with which
SVG is affiliated (see
Regional Affiliations). Most often, these comparisons will
be made with SVG's Windward Island neighbors, Dominica, Grenada, and St.
Lucia, whose own island economies are quite similar to St. Vincent.
An analysis of the business implications of the findings will also be provided.
Below is a map of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as a map of the
Leeward and Winward islands to serve as a point of geographical reference
when comparisons are made.
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St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
Leeward and Winward Islands |
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