Brief information
The indigenous inhabitants of the island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines once called their country Hairouna, which means “Holy Land”. This name is quite justified even now. Every year more than 60 thousand tourists come to this country to look at its picturesque nature and relax on the beaches near the clear blue sea.
Geography of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The state of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is located at the junction of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean south of Saint Lucia. It consists of the island of St. Vincent and several dozen more islands from the island chain of the Grenadines. The total area of the country is 389.3 sq. km.
All the islands on which the state of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is located are of volcanic origin. Most of their territory is covered with mountains and volcanoes. Some of the volcanoes are still active. So, on the island of St. Vincent, the last eruption of the Soufrière volcano occurred in 1979. It is the Soufrière volcano that is the highest local peak (its height is 1,234 meters).
Capital
Kingstown is the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. More than 20 thousand people now live in this city. Kingstown was founded by the British in 1674.
Religion
Over 47% of the population belong to the Anglican Church, there are many more Methodists and Catholics.
Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
According to diseaseslearning.com, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a constitutional monarchy. Its head is the monarch of Great Britain, who governs this country with the help of the governor general.
The unicameral local parliament is called the House of Assembly and consists of 6 senators and 15 deputies. The Governor-General approves the Prime Minister and ministers.
The main political parties are the United Labor Party and the New Democratic Party.
Administratively, the country is divided into 6 parishes – St. David, St. George, St. Patrick, St. Andrew, Charlotte and the Grenadines.
Climate and weather
The climate is tropical, the average annual air temperature is +26C. The warmest month is September (average air temperature +27C), and the coolest month is January (average air temperature +25C). The rainy season is from May to December. The average annual rainfall is 231 cm (more than 380 cm in mountainous areas).
The best time to visit Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is from December to April (high season). Low season is from July to October.
Seas and oceans
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is located at the junction of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The average sea temperature near the coast from January to March is +24C, and from June to October – +27C.
Rivers and lakes
There are many small mountain rivers and lakes on St. Vincent, and one such lake is located right in the mouth of an ancient extinct volcano.
Culture of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
There are three holidays that may be of particular interest to tourists in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These are Christmas, Easter and Vincy Mas (Saint Vincent’s Carnival).
The 12-day Saint Vincent Carnival is celebrated at the end of June. All 12 days there are street processions, costumed parades, music and dance performances, various competitions, etc. This carnival is practically in no way inferior to its Brazilian counterparts.
Grandiose festivities take place at Christmas. They are in no way inferior to Vincy Mas, and in some aspects (for example, in the performances of church choirs in the squares) they surpass him.
Kitchen
The cuisine of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was influenced by the culinary traditions of the local Indians, Africans, as well as the French and the British. The main food products are fish and seafood, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, cassava (yucca), beans, breadfruit, bananas, coconuts.
Tourists are advised to try “kalalu” (soup with meat or fish), pumpkin soup, salted fish with breadfruit and vegetables “buljol”, cassava cakes “choki”, fish pies and much more.
Traditional soft drinks – tea, coffee, fruit juices, milk.
The traditional alcoholic drink is rum.
Attractions Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
In the vicinity of Kingstown is the medieval English Fort Charlotte, which now houses the Museum of Indian History.
Tourists often travel to the north of St. Vincent, because. there is a dormant but still active volcano Soufrière. A picturesque trail, 8 kilometers long, leads to the top of this volcano through the tropical forest, laurel fields and bamboo groves.
Of great interest to tourists are parks and reserves. The most interesting of them are the Botanical Gardens near Kingstown, the Montreal Gardens in the Marriacou Valley, and the Oldheg Turtle Sanctuary on the island of Bequia.
Cities and resorts
The largest local city is Kingstown, which now has a population of more than 20,000 people. The rest of the “cities” can hardly be considered as such by Western standards, since their population does not exceed 1.5-2 thousand people.
Most of the beaches are made up of black volcanic sand. However, there are white sand beaches – Bequia, Mayreau, Mustique, Palm Island, Petit St. Vincent. On the beaches of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, aristocratic families of Europe often rest, including members of the British royal family.
Off the coast of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines there are excellent conditions for diving. In coastal waters, marine life is literally seething – there are many pristine corals, sea turtles and exotic fish. Particular attention is paid to a huge number of black corals.
Souvenirs/Shopping
The most popular souvenirs in this country are various handicrafts, ceramics, groceries, clothing, food, spices, liquor, rum.
Office Hours
Banks:
Mon-Thu: 08:00-15:00
Fri: 08:00-17:00
Shops:
Mon-Fri: 08:00-16:00
Sat: 08:00-12:00
Supermarkets and shopping centers are open from 08:00 to 22:00.
Visa
Ukrainians who will rest in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for no more than 30 days can apply for a visa right at the airport upon arrival.
Currency of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The East Caribbean dollar is the official currency in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (its international symbol is XCD). All hotels and some shops also accept US dollars for payment. All major credit cards are widely used.
Customs restrictions
You can import foreign currency without restrictions, it must be declared (you can take out no more than it was declared upon entry). It is impossible to export and import local currency.
It is forbidden to import all products of animal origin, drugs, as well as agricultural and livestock products.
Antiques and art can be taken out, having previously received the appropriate permission from the local authorities.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
Embassy of Great Britain in Ukraine:
Address: 01025, Kiev, st. Tithe, 9
Phone: (044) 490-36-60
Fax: (044) 490-36-62
Embassy of Ukraine in the UK:
Address: 60, Holland Park, London W11 3SJ
Phone: (020) 7727-6312
Fax: (020) 7792-1708
Emergency numbers
999/911 – All emergencies
Time
Behind Kyiv for 7 hours. Those. if, for example, in Kyiv it is 13:00, then in Kingstown it is only 06:00.
Tips
In hotels and restaurants, tips are 10-15% of the bill. Sometimes tips are already included in the bill. It is customary to leave the same tips for taxi drivers.
The medicine
Mandatory vaccinations are not required. However, doctors still advise tourists who want to relax in this country to make several preventive vaccinations (against typhoid fever, malaria, rabies).
Security
The crime rate in this country cannot be called high. However, sometimes valuables are stolen from yachts, cars and hotel rooms. Therefore, do not leave your valuables unattended, and keep money and documents in the hotel safe. It is best to make sightseeing trips as part of an organized tourist group.
