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St. Vincent and the Grenadines
The country is located in the Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. The climate is tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season. The terrain is mostly volcanic. -
First People
The first people to settle on the Grenadines were refuge seeking Africans, both enslaved and escaped. The French began to setle on the islands and lived by cultivating tobacco, coffee, tobacco, indigo, cotton, and sugar on plantations worked by African slaves. -
Ceded
In 1763, St. Vincent was ceded to Britain. -
Battle for ownership
In 1779, St. Vincent was restored to French rule. -
Treaty of Versailles
Under the Treaty of Versailles, St. Vincent was given back to the British. -
Population
The population in the 1800s ranged from 110,000 to 176,000. -
Population
The popluation in the 1900s ranged from 34,000 to 105,000. -
St. Vincent Labour Party
The St. Vincent Labour Party forms. They dominate politics from the 60s to the 80s. They had a conservative law-and-order message and a pro-Western foreign policy. -
Independence
St. Vincent gains independence. -
Population
The estimated population in July 2009 was 104,574. -
Economy
Banana Production makes up 60% of the workforce. -
Cultural Groups
Most of the people are of African decent, with a small percentage of Amerindian/black, European, East Indian and Carib (descent) people. Christianity plays a big part in their daily lives. -
Current Issues
12% of the country is unemployed, causing a big issue for families. Human waste pollution of their coastal waters is a major issue, so much that swimming is prohibited in some places. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a likely source, transit, and destination country for some children and adults subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking. Transportation of illegal drugs is also common in this country.
