Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a small island nation located in the Caribbean Sea. The country is made up of 32 islands, with the main island being Saint Vincent. The capital city of the country is Kingstown, which is located on the main island.

The country's economy is mainly based on tourism, agriculture, and fishing. The main exports are bananas, arrowroot, and coconuts. Tourism is an important industry for the country, with many visitors attracted to the beautiful beaches and clear waters of the islands.

The people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are predominantly of African descent, with smaller populations of people of European and East Indian ancestry. The official language is English, but a French patois is also spoken.

The country is a parliamentary democracy and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The head of state is the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented in the country by a Governor-General. The Prime Minister is the head of government and is appointed by the Governor-General.

Telephone Code
784

Local Emergency Phone
999, 911

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Currency (Code)
East Caribbean dollars (XCD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
110 V, 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, G

Major Languages
English, Vincentian Creole English, French patois

Major Religions
Protestant 75%, Roman Catholic 6.3%, Rastafarian 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 0.8%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
Tobago Cays; Montreal Gardens; La Soufriere cross country trail; Firefly Plantation in Bequia; Botanical Gardens in Kingstown; Dark View Falls; Vermont Natural Trail; Fort Duvernette; Bequia Beach; Union Beach

Major Sports
Rugby, cricket, soccer, netball, basketball, volleyball, tennis

Cultural Practices
Avoid cursing or using foul language as it is considered a criminal offense.

Tipping Guidelines
A service charge of 10% is usually added to a restaurant or hotel bill, but if not, leave at least 10-15% depending on your satisfaction with the service. Tip taxi drivers 10%, bellhops $2 (USD) per bag, and housekeeping $2 per night.

Souvenirs
Sailboat models, recreational boats, handmade jewelry, handmade clothing, spices and hot sauces, straw-made items, grass rugs

Traditional Cuisine
Roasted breadfruit and fried jackfish — whole breadfruit are roasted over an open fire; the jackfish is typically marinated in lemon juice, coated in flour, and then fried; a sauce made with onions, tomatoes, garlic, thyme, or other herbs and vegetables is usually served alongside the dish

Geography
Area
total: 389 sq km
land: 389 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Natural resources
hydropower, arable land

People and Society
Population
100,804 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
African descent 71.2%, mixed 23%, Indigenous 3%, East Indian/Indian 1.1%, European 1.5%, other 0.2% (2012 est.)

Languages
English, Vincentian Creole English, French patois

Religions
Protestant 75% (Pentecostal 27.6%, Anglican 13.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 11.6%, Baptist 8.9%, Methodist 8.7%, Evangelical 3.8%, Salvation Army 0.3%, Presbyterian/Congregational 0.3%), Roman Catholic 6.3%, Rastafarian 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 0.8%, other 4.7%, none 7.5%, unspecified 4.7% (2012 est.)

Population growth rate
-0.16% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital
name: Kingstown

Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income Caribbean island economy; key agriculture and tourism sectors; environmentally fragile; major banana and arrowroot exporter; CARICOM member and US Caribbean Basin Initiative beneficiary

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.429 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$13,700 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
bananas, sugar cane, roots/tubers, plantains, vegetables, fruit, coconuts, sweet potatoes, yams, mangoes/guavas

Industries
tourism; food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch

Exports
$125.777 million (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Jordan 39%, Singapore 14% (2019)

Exports - commodities
natural gas, drilling platforms and ships, recreational boats, collector's items, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch (2019)

Imports
$415.725 million (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 30%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, China 8%, United Kingdom 6% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, ships, poultry meats, tug boats, recreational boats (2019)