Geography

• Full name: St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Capital: Kingstown
• Area: 389 sq km (150 sq miles) Grenadines include 32 islands, the largest of which are Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, and Union. Some of the smaller islands are privately owned.
  
• Terrain: Volcanic and mountainous, with the highest peak, Soufriere, rising to 1,219 meters (4,000 ft.).
  
• Climate: Tropical.

People

• Nationality: Noun and adjective--Vincentian.
  
• Population (July 2009 est.): 104,574.
  Annual population growth rate (2009 est.): -0.344%.
  
• Ethnic groups: African descent (66%), mixed (19%), West Indian (6%), Carib Indian (2%), other (7%).
  
• Religions: Anglican (47%), Methodist (28%), Roman Catholic (13%), other Protestant denominations, Seventh-day Adventist, and Hindu.
  
• Language: English (official); some French Patois spoken.
  
• Education (2004): Adult literacy--88.1%.
  
• Health (2006): Infant mortality rate--17/1,000. Life expectancy--men 69 years; women 74 years.
  
• Workforce (2006): 57,695.
  
• Unemployment (2004): 12%.
  

Government

• Type: Parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth.
  
• Independence: October 27, 1979.
  
• Constitution: October 27, 1979.
  
• Branches: Executive--governor general (representing Queen Elizabeth II, head of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative--unicameral legislature with 15-member elected House of Assembly and six-member appointed Senate. Judicial--district courts, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (High Court and Court of Appeals), final appeal to the Privy Council in London.
  
• Subdivisions: Six parishes.
  
• Political parties: Unity Labour Party (ULP, incumbent), New Democratic Party (NDP).
  
• Suffrage: Universal at 18.
  

Economy

• GDP (purchasing power parity, 2009 est.): $1.55 billion.
  
• GDP real growth rate (2009 est.): -6.5%.
  
• Per capita GDP (2009 est.): $18,100.
  
• Inflation (consumer prices, 2007 est.): 6.1%.
  
• Natural resources: Timber.
  
• Agriculture: Mostly bananas.
  
• Industry: Plastic products, food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch, and detergents.
  
• Trade (2005): Exports--$40 million (merchandise) and $155 million (commercial services). Major markets--European Union (27.2%), Barbados (12.7%), Trinidad and Tobago (12.3%), Saint Lucia (10.9%), and the United States (9.2%). Imports--$240 million (merchandise) and $74 million (commercial services). Major suppliers--United States (33.3%), Trinidad and Tobago (23.6%), European Union (15.1%), Japan (4.2%), and Barbados (3.9%).
  
• Official exchange rate: EC$2.70 = U.S. $1.
  
  

Principal Government Officials

• Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II
  
• Governor General:-Sir Frederick Ballantyne
  
• Prime Minister: Ralph E. Gonsalves
  

Description of electoral system

• Parliament name - House of Assembly
• Structure of parliament - Unicameral

Main parties in the electoral race:

Last Parliamentary election:

• Parliamentary elections were last held on 7 December 2005
• Number of registered electors – approximately 92,000

Sources:

• http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/north-central-america/st-vincent-grenadines?profile=all
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1210689.stm
• http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2345.htm