# Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

> island sovereign state in the Caribbean Sea

**Wikidata**: [Q757](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q757)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines

## Summary

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a country located in North America[1]. It was established in 1979. As of 2023, the population is 101,000[2]. The country covers an area of 389 square kilometers. Its time zone is UTC−04:00 and America/St_Vincent[3].

## Summary
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island sovereign state located in the Caribbean Sea, specifically within the Lesser Antilles. It is a constitutional monarchy and Commonwealth realm that gained full independence in 1979, with Kingstown serving as its capital city.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
- **Capital**: Kingstown.
- **Independence Date**: 1979.
- **Area**: 389 square kilometres.
- **Population**: 100,804 (2023 estimate); 109,897 (2017 estimate).
- **Currency**: Eastern Caribbean dollar.
- **Head of State**: Charles III (Monarch).
- **Head of Government**: Godwin Friday (Prime Minister).
- **Official Language**: English; Vincentian Creole is also used.
- **Government Type**: Constitutional monarchy, representative democracy.
- **Legislative Body**: House of Assembly of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
- **Continent**: North America.
- **Geographic Region**: Lesser Antilles.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 13.0139, Longitude -61.2296.
- **Highest Point**: La Soufrière.
- **Lowest Point**: Caribbean Sea (0 metres).
- **Timezone**: UTC−04:00 (America/St_Vincent).
- **National Flag**: Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
- **Coat of Arms**: Coat of arms of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
- **Anthem**: "Saint Vincent, Land so Beautiful".
- **Motto**: "Pax et Justitia" (Peace and Justice).
- **Tourism Slogan**: "Discover SVG".
- **Driving Side**: Left.
- **Electricity**: 230 volts, 50 Hz; plug types include NEMA 1-15, Europlug, Type E, BS 1363, AS/NZS 3112, and Type K.
- **Emergency Number**: 911 or 999.
- **International Calling Code**: +1784.
- **Internet TLD**: .vc.
- **ISO Codes**: Alpha-2: VC, Alpha-3: VCT, Numeric: 670.
- **M49 Code**: 670.
- **Aircraft Registration Prefix**: J8 (implied by region, not explicitly in source, stick to source: source lists maritime IDs). *Correction*: Source lists Maritime Identification Digits: 375, 376, 377.
- **Licence Plate Code**: WV (since 1932).
- **IOC Country Code**: VIN.
- **Commonwealth Sport Country Code**: SVG.
- **VAT Rate**: 15%.
- **Central Bank**: Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.
- **Human Development Index**: 0.751 (2021).
- **Life Expectancy**: 73 years (2016 preferred value).
- **Birth Rate**: 12.726 (2022).
- **Death Rate**: 14.004 (2022).
- **Total Fertility Rate**: 1.974 (2014 preferred value).
- **Marriageable Age**: 16 (male), 15 (female).
- **Diplomatic Relations**: Taiwan, United States, North Korea (since 1990-08-16).
- **Border**: Maritime border with Venezuela.

## FAQs
**What type of government does Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have?**
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a constitutional monarchy and a representative democracy. It operates as a Commonwealth realm, with Charles III serving as the current head of state as monarch, while Godwin Friday serves as the head of government as Prime Minister.

**Where is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines located and what is its geography?**
The state is located in the Caribbean Sea and is part of the Lesser Antilles. It consists of an archipelago with a total area of 389 square kilometres, featuring La Soufrière as its highest point and the Caribbean Sea as its lowest point.

**What international organizations is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines a member of?**
The country is a member of the United Nations (since September 16, 1980), the Commonwealth of Nations (since 1979), and the Caribbean Community (since May 1, 1974). It also holds memberships in the World Trade Organization, the Organization of American States, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Alliance of Small Island States.

**What are the primary demographics and languages of the country?**
The official language is English, though Vincentian Creole is also widely used. The population was estimated at 100,804 in 2023, with a life expectancy of approximately 73 years as of 2016.

**What is the economic and infrastructure status of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?**
The country uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar, managed by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, and had a nominal GDP of approximately $948 million in 2022. Infrastructure includes left-hand traffic, a 15% VAT rate, and electrical systems operating at 230V/50Hz with multiple plug types.

## Why It Matters
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines holds significance as a sovereign state within the Lesser Antilles, representing a distinct political and cultural entity in the Caribbean. As a member of the Alliance of Small Island States, it plays a role in international advocacy regarding issues specific to archipelagic and small island developing states. Its membership in the Commonwealth of Nations ties it to a global political history, while its participation in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) underscores its importance in regional economic and political integration.

The nation's diplomatic relations, including ties with Taiwan and the United States, highlight its strategic engagement in international affairs. Its unique geography, encompassing the main island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines archipelago, makes it a notable subject in the study of island biogeography and Caribbean geopolitics. Furthermore, its designation as a "free country" in Freedom in the World rankings reflects its standing in terms of political rights and civil liberties.

## Notable For
- **Commonwealth Realm Status**: Maintains Charles III as the reigning monarch.
- **Diplomatic Relations**: Established diplomatic relations with North Korea on August 16, 1990.
- **Naming Etymology**: Named after Saint Vincent of Saragossa and the Spanish term for pomegranate (*granada*).
- **Electrical Plug Diversity**: Utilizes a wide variety of plug types including NEMA 1-15, Europlug, Type E, BS 1363, AS/NZS 3112, and Type K.
- **Maritime Identification**: Uses three distinct Maritime Identification Digits: 375, 376, and 377.
- **Tourism Branding**: Officially uses the tourism slogan "Discover SVG".
- **Motto**: "Pax et Justitia" (Peace and Justice).
- **Historical Context**: Follows the historical entities of Saint Vincent and the West Indies Federation.

## Body

### History and Independence
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines emerged as a sovereign state in 1979, gaining independence from British rule. The nation's historical trajectory includes preceding associations with the entity "Saint Vincent" and the West Indies Federation. The country's name is derived from Saint Vincent of Saragossa, with "Grenadines" originating from the Spanish word for pomegranate, applied to the archipelago. It shares a maritime border with Venezuela, situating it within a complex geopolitical landscape in the Southern Caribbean.

### Geography and Environment
Geographically, the nation is an archipelagic state and island country situated in the Caribbean Sea, specifically within the Lesser Antilles and the broader continent of North America. The total land area covers 389 square kilometres. The terrain is defined by its highest point, La Soufrière, and its lowest point at the Caribbean Sea (0 metres). The coordinates for the central location are 13.0139° latitude and -61.2296° longitude.

The country's extremities include the northernmost point at coordinates 13.38, -61.17, and the easternmost point at 12.9613, -61.1309 (Bettowia). The westernmost point is located at 12.6, -61.433333333333 (Union Island). The state is administratively divided into six parishes: Charlotte Parish, Grenadines Parish, Saint Andrew Parish, Saint David Parish, Saint George Parish, and Saint Patrick Parish.

### Government and Politics
The political system of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is characterized as a constitutional monarchy and a representative democracy. As a Commonwealth realm, the head of state is the monarch, currently Charles III, who has held the position since September 8, 2022. The head of government is the Prime Minister, currently Godwin Friday. Legislative authority is vested in the House of Assembly of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The national motto, "Pax et Justitia" (Peace and Justice), reflects the state's foundational values. The country is classified as a "free country" according to Freedom in the World rankings. It maintains diplomatic relations with various nations, including Taiwan and the United States, and established relations with North Korea in 1990.

### Demographics and Society
Demographic data indicates a population of approximately 100,804 as of a 2023 estimate, down from a 2017 estimate of 109,897. The population has fluctuated over the decades, with recorded figures ranging from roughly 80,000 in 1960 to over 109,000 in the early 1990s. The society is linguistically diverse, with English as the official language and Vincentian Creole also in use.

Demonyms for the people include "Vincentian," "Vincy," and "Saint Vincentian." Vital statistics show a total fertility rate of 1.974 (2014), a birth rate of 12.726 per 1,000 people (2022), and a death rate of 14.004 per 1,000 people (2022). The average life expectancy is approximately 73 years (2016 data). Marriageable ages are set at 16 for males and 15 for females.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy utilizes the Eastern Caribbean dollar as its currency, regulated by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. Economic indicators include a nominal GDP of $872,226,064 USD in 2021, rising to $948,558,503 USD in 2022. The standard Value Added Tax (VAT) rate is set at 15%.

Infrastructure features include a left-hand traffic system. The electrical grid operates at 230 volts and 50 Hz, accommodating a wide array of plug types such as NEMA 1-15, Europlug, Type E, BS 1363, AS/NZS 3112, and Type K. Telecommunications infrastructure relies on the international calling code +1784 and the top-level internet domain .vc. Emergency services can be reached via 911 or 999.

### International Relations and Memberships
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an active participant in global and regional organizations. It joined the United Nations on September 16, 1980, and the Commonwealth of Nations in 1979. Regional integration is a priority, evidenced by its membership in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) since May 1, 1974, and the Organization of American States (OAS) since 1981.

Other significant memberships include the World Trade Organization, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (1982), the International Development Association (1982), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (1990). The country is also part of the Alliance of Small Island States, the Caribbean Development Bank, and the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean.

### Symbols and Culture
National symbols include the flag, the coat of arms, and the national anthem, "Saint Vincent, Land so Beautiful." The country promotes itself with the tourism slogan "Discover SVG." Cultural identity is reflected in its official languages and the various demonyms used to describe its citizens.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
The country is identified by numerous international codes. ISO 3166-1 codes are VC (Alpha-2), VCT (Alpha-3), and 670 (Numeric). The UN M49 code is also 670. Sports identifiers include the IOC code VIN and the Commonwealth Games code SVG.

Transport identifiers include the licence plate code WV (valid since 1932) and maritime identification digits 375, 376, and 377. The ITU letter code is VCT. The country is also cataloged in various library and authority systems such as the Library of Congress (n82123205), the Bibliothèque nationale de France (15210094k), and the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names (7004773).

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/northamerica)
4. [Source](https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/st-vincent-and-grenadines)
5. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
6. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/ST-VINCENT-GRENADINES)
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8. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/saint-vincent-and-grenadines)
9. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
10. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
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12. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
13. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
14. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons)
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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21. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
22. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/summaries/#people-and-society)
23. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
24. [The World Factbook](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/#people-and-society)
25. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
26. BBC Things
27. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
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29. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
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31. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
32. English as a Global Language, second edition
33. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
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35. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
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37. iNaturalist
38. FactGrid
39. KBpedia