Geography
Climate
According to bridgat, the climate is tropical humid with an average of between 18 and 31 ° C depending on the altitude. It is about the monsoon climate and the trade winds on the coast. Abrupt relief enhances the monsoon effect, so rainfall is much higher than average, between 4,000 and 1,500 mm. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are affected by the hurricanes that are generated in the Atlantic.
Flora
The islands are endowed with spectacular tropical flora. The most original and typical tree is the Mangosteen. In the botanical gardens you can admire the “ spachea perforata ”, a native tree of San Vicente. The Sucker is the third generation of the so-called ” breadfruit ” brought in 1793 from Tahiti. San Vicente has an extensive rain forest of great variety.
Fauna
The fauna has parrots, also called Amazona guildinguii, as the characteristic species of the islands; they are in danger of extinction. This animal is the national symbol. There are other protected species such as the St. Vincent’s Parrot, the Boa Bimini, the Whistling Warbler, the Bahamian Swallow and the Oropendola.
The marine fauna offers a variety of rare fish: Barracuda, Tarpon, Kingfisher, Merlin, Tuna, Bonito and Sailfish. The protected species are the Caribbean monk seal, the spotted spiny lobster and the queen conch.
Economy
The Vincentian economy is very modest and its main source of income is the export of bananas and some agricultural products, as well as the issuance of postage stamps destined mainly for philatelic collecting. Tourism has been growing in recent years, a large part of the products they consume has to be imported from their commercial partners. Its currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC $).
Idiom
The official language is English. Creole English and Hindi are also spoken.
Social development
Religion
The majority are Protestant (Anglicans: 47%, Methodists: 28%, other denominations). There are 13% Catholics, and minorities of Hindus and Seventh-day Adventists.
Culture
Plastic arts
On the islands you can find interesting crafts, especially the works created with what the sea provides, as well as various colorful paintings.
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the slave trade meant the arrival of millions of Africans to the Caribbean islands, many of which are today black or mulatto countries, which have preserved many cultural elements originating from their continent of origin. Regarding artistic manifestations, the vast majority of the Caribbean islands have preserved traditional handicraft techniques, highlighting sheet metalwork -for which useless drums are used, basketry fundamentally with coconut and banana leaves and the elaboration of colorful hand-painted clay bowls. He also works leather, the amber and wood.
Customs
As in all the Caribbean islands, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines different races and cultures coexist, an inevitable inheritance of the colonialism of the past centuries Spanish, French, British, Dutch and, above all, African slaves have left their mark there. where they have passed The rhythms and melodies have managed to capture the historical conditions of the Grenadines, shaping an innovative proposal in the different rhythms. African music and dances landed on the Caribbean islands with the black slaves who arrived from the southern continent, especially from Ghana, Alta Guinea and the Nigerian Yoruba. As in the rest of the Caribbean islands, carnival is, without a doubt, the party par excellence. Everyone participates in these parties and the streets are filled with people, parades, costumes, masks, dances, music and fireworks. The preparation of the Carnival begins in the New Year, when the locals carefully and carefully elaborate the costumes and songs that, for a few days, will brighten up the quiet life of the place.
Gastronomy
The traditional cuisine of the Caribbean islands revolves around the great variety of fruits existing in this territory. Any dish acquires a very special flavor if you add a little coconut, mango, avocado, guava or plantain.
The most characteristic vegetable of the Caribbean islands is callaloo similar to spinach, which is served with crabs, pork or fresh fish, always accompanied by a garnish of mushrooms. For its part, the most popular desserts are, of course, tropical fruit ice creams, sweet bread, coconut cakes and local jams. Fried fish is the most exquisite dish on these islands and is called Jackfish. You can also dare with the chicken in coconut milk and fresh ginger, the bisque lobster and the callaloo soup. The local rum is called Capitain Bligh and the beers are Hairoum and EKU.
Entertainment
Water sports are one of the island’s entertainments in the natural conditions that the island offers. Snorkelling, windsurfing, water skiing and hobby cats are the most important. The navigation, with the conditions of these islands are wonderful since there is almost never fog and the trade winds combined with the movements of these seas, are a real delight for any lover of navigation. The nightlife, you can have fun dancing to the sound of Antillean music or in the jazz clubs of some towns.
Communications
The country has only nine FM radio stations, one of which also operates on an AM frequency. It has a television broadcast and a television station by cable provider. Their telephone system is fully automatic and covers the entire island and all the inhabited islands of the Grenadines.
Transportation
The boat or plane are the best means of transport to move between the islands, In San Vicente they use to move in the city taxi and bus.