Cruising in Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesBackgroundDisputed between France and the United Kingdom in the 18th century, Saint Vincent was ceded to the latter in 1783. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979. GeographyLocation: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North
Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Coastline84 km Maritime claimsTerritorial sea: 12 nm ClimateTropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) TerrainVolcanic, mountainous Elevation extremesLowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m EconomyEconomic growth in this lower-middle-income country hinges upon seasonal variations in the agricultural and tourism sectors. Tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in 1994, 1995, and 2002, and tourism in the Eastern Caribbean has suffered low arrivals following 11 September 2001. Saint Vincent is home to a small offshore banking sector and has moved to adopt international regulatory standards. Saint Vincent is also a producer of marijuana and is being used as a transshipment point for illegal narcotics from South America. TransportationAirports: 6 (2005) Merchant marineTotal: 584 ships (1000 GRT or over) 5,344,823 GRT/8,033,377 DWT Sailing Specifics: Ports and terminalsKingstown DisputesJoins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea Other Sailing Destinations in the RegionAnguilla - Antigua and Barbuda - Aruba - Bahamas - Barbados - British Virgin Islands - Cayman Islands - Cuba - Dominica - Dominican Republic - Grenada - Guadeloupe - Haiti - Jamaica - St. Kitts and Nevis - St. Lucia - Martinique - Montserrat - Netherlands Antilles - Puerto Rico - Trinidad and Tobago - Turks and Caicos - St. Vincent and the Grenadines - Virgin Islands (USA) Further Reading |
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