| An island country in the central Windward | | | | separate huts including all modern |
| Islands of the West Indies. It comprises St | | | | facilities. All hotels are small and |
| Vincent Island and the northern islets of the | | | | emphasise personal service. |
| Grenadines. Part of the West Indies | | | | |
| Federation from 1958 to 1962, the country | | | | Tropical, with trade winds tempering the |
| gained self governing status in 1969 and full | | | | hottest months, June and July. |
| independence in 1979. Kingstown, on St. | | | | |
| Vincent, is the capital. | | | | St Vincent, like all the Wind wards, is |
| | | | volcanic and mountainous with luxuriant |
| Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy | | | | vegetation and black sand beaches. The |
| and export crops include bananas and | | | | Grenadines are equally lush. Secluded coves, |
| arrowroot. Tourism is also important. | | | | spectacular coral reefs, rainforest hiking |
| | | | and superb sailing conditions are among the |
| The islands are composed of volcanic rock. | | | | main tourist attractions. |
| Thickly wooded volcanic mountains run north | | | | |
| south and are cut by many swift streams. | | | | St Vincent is one of the few islands where |
| Soufriere the highest of the mountains has | | | | good West Indian cuisine can almost always be |
| had devastating volcanic eruptions. | | | | enjoyed in hotels. There is plenty of fresh |
| | | | fruit, vegetables and other seafood on offer. |
| The country is a constitutional monarchy with | | | | Lobster is available in season. |
| one legislative house, its chief of state is | | | | |
| the British monarch represented by the | | | | Most evening events take place in hotels and |
| governor general, and the head of government | | | | it is best to ask at individual hotels for a |
| is the prime minister. The French and the | | | | calendar of events. Nightclubs include the |
| British contested for control of Saint | | | | Aquatic club and the Buccama Club on the |
| Vincent until 1763, when it was ceded to | | | | Leeward Coast. The Attic in Kingstown |
| England by the Treaty of Paris. | | | | features a wide variety of music during the |
| | | | week and live entertainment at weekends. |
| From casual and economical to elegant and | | | | There is one casino on the island, at |
| exclusive, lodgings in St Vincent and the | | | | Peniston, on the Leeward side. |
| Grenadines offer something for every taste | | | | |
| and budget. The choice ranges from a rustic | | | | Designs on sea island cottons can be bought |
| cottage on the beach or a historic country | | | | and made up into clothes within a few days at |
| hotel in the mountains, to a luxury resort | | | | a number of shops. Handicrafts and all |
| with an island to itself. Young Island, an | | | | varieties of straw made items, grass rugs and |
| idyllic small island off the south coast of | | | | other souvenirs can be bought at a number of |
| St Vincent, has a cottage community of | | | | workshops and gift shops. |