Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Quick Facts

• Continental region – Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Currency symbol of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$)
• Capital City –Kingstown
• Official languages – English is official language of Saint Vincent and Grenadines.
• Population – 110,210 (2018)
• Country dialing code  –  (+784 )
• Official website – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Top 3 biggest industries  –Agriculture, Cement Manufacture, Flour Milling
• Google Maps link –Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Where is it? –Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, island country lying within the Lesser Antilles, in the eastern Caribbean Sea.

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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines In Pictures

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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines History

• How did the country get its first name? – Hairoun, meaning ‘Land of the Blessed’ was the islands’ first name given by its first settlers around 150AD, South American explorers. 
• How did the country get its current name? –It was formerly thought that Christopher Columbus, first visiting 22 January 1498 known as “Discovery Day”, named it Saint Vincent. It is now known that he was still in Spain on that day. It is unclear if he ever visited the island. 
• When and by whom the country was first discovered? -The islands have been occupied in some form from around 150AD by multiple Amerindian groups including Arawak, Ciboney and Island Caribs, so named by the European colonialists, who first arrived in 1635.  
• Who were the first Inhabitants? – The Ciboney were one of the first to arrive, and were eventually followed from Venezuela by the Arawak people.
• When it was first recognized as a country? –Independence for Saint Vincent was achieved on Oct. 27, 1979
• Who was the first leader of the country? –Milton Cato, became the first prime minister of the independent country.

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Five Significant Events 

1. Mustique Blues Festival: This St Vincent festival is the brainchild of London blues singer Dana Gillespie, and has been running since 1996.(https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-vincent-and-grenadines/festivals-and-events)
2. Bequia Easter Regatta: This five-day boat race takes place over Easter on the island of Bequia. (https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-vincent-and-grenadines/festivals-and-events)
3. Vincy Mas: This is a typical Caribbean festival filled with parades and pageants, and dancing and music at street parties.(https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-vincent-and-grenadines/festivals-and-events)
4. National Dance Festival: Many performances are held during the month of September to showcase traditional and other dance styles.(https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-vincent-and-grenadines/festivals-and-events)
5. Independence Day: This is held on October 27 every year to celebrate the formation of St Vincent and the Grenadines as a sovereign nation in 1979.(https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-vincent-and-grenadines/festivals-and-events)

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Five Places to Visit in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

1. Bequia: The second largest of the Grenadines, charming Bequia (pronounced “Beck-way”) is a popular yachting destination with a rich whaling history.(https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-stv.htm)
2. Snorkeling and Sailing in the Tobago Cays: In the southern Grenadines, the Tobago Cays encompass five small, uninhabited islands that are now the key feature of the Tobago Cays Marine Park. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-stv.html)
3. Petit St. Vincent: Petit St. Vincent is a tropical fantasy come true. Also known as PSV, this privately owned island is home to the boutique Petit St. Vincent Resort, one of the top all-inclusives resorts in the Caribbean, where guests are ensconced in secluded ocean-view villas sprinkled around the hillsides and bays. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-stv.html)
4. Palm Island: Palm Island is a little patch of paradise. Home to the Palm Island Resort & Spa and a sprinkling of holiday villas, this beautiful island is named for the abundant coconut palms planted by the resort’s former owners.(https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-stv.html)
5. Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau: Accessible only by boat, Mayreau is a tiny island of only 2.5 square kilometers with one of the Caribbean’s prettiest bays, Salt Whistle Bay. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-stv.html)

References:

• https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-stv.htm
• https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-vincent-and-grenadines/festivals-and-events
• https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Vincent-and-the-Grenadines
• https://www.discoversvg.com/index.php/en/stvincent/history 
• https://www.google.com/search?q=saint+vincent+and+the+grenadines+capital+image&hl
• https://pixabay.com/vectors/search/saint%20vincent%20and%20the%20grenadines/