St Vincent and the Grenadines country profile

The multi-island country of St Vincent and the Grenadines is a land of contrasts. St Vincent - the main population centre - is mountainous and lush. Rainforests thrive in the interior and La Soufriere, an active volcano which last erupted in 1979, dominates the north.

Of the many islands and cays that make up the Grenadines, Mustique, Palm Island and Union Island are haunts of the rich and famous - offering yachting, diving and fine beaches.

Overview

Overview
Facts
Leaders
Media

These playgrounds are worlds away from the many Vincentians who are without jobs. High unemployment has prompted many to leave the islands.

Like other countries in the Windwards chain, St Vincent and the Grenadines has tried to reduce its reliance on banana exports after the European Union phased out preferential treatment to producers from former colonies.

Efforts to diversify the economy have been partially successful. Tourism is said to have great potential and there are plans to build an international airport. But the banana crop remains vital, accounting for around a third of export earnings.

Like many other Caribbean countries, St Vincent and the Grenadines has fallen victim to drug-related crime. Efforts have been made to tackle marijuana cultivation.

The country has taken steps to curb money-laundering, and a Paris-based organisation dedicated to tackling the issue has removed St Vincent and the Grenadines from its list of non-cooperative countries.

Facts

Full name: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Population: 109,000 (UN, 2011)
Capital and largest city: Kingstown
Area: 389 sq km (150 sq miles)
Major languages: English
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 70 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 East Caribbean dollar = 100 cents
Main exports: Bananas, arrowroot (starch), nutmeg, mace, coconuts
GNI per capita: US $6,100 (World Bank, 2011)
Internet domain: .vc
International dialling code: +1784

Leaders

Overview
Facts
Leaders
Media

Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor

Prime minister: Ralph Gonsalves

Known by many Vincentians as "Comrade Ralph", Mr Gonsalves and his Unity Labour Party (ULP) won a third straight term in December 2010, in a narrow victory over the opposition New Democratic Party.

PM Ralph Gonsalves campaigned on his economic record

The prime minister said he was best suited to lead efforts to recover from the global economic slump. He cited his efforts to reduce poverty and improve access to education.

Under Mr Gonsalves, St Vincent and the Grenadines has forged deeper ties with international partners such as Venezuela, Cuba and Iran.

In 2009, voters rejected a referendum proposal to replace the British monarch as head of state with a president elected by parliament by a 57%-43% margin.

The PM campaigned strongly in favour of a "yes" vote. Both main parties supported abolishing the monarchy, but the opposition New Democratic Party had come out against the plan on offer, saying it did not do enough to reduce the power of the prime minister.

Mr Gonsalves was born in 1945 and practised as a lawyer. He first came to office in 2001, ending 15 years of rule by the New Democratic Party, and won a second term in late 2005.