North & Central America and Caribbean

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Last reviewed: 04 June 2009

Country information

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GEOGRAPHY

St Vincent and the Grenadines is a multi-island nation consisting of the main island St Vincent, which covers about 85% of the country's territory, and of 32 smaller islands and cays, the Grenadines. St Vincent is a high volcanic island. A volcanic ridge runs from Grenada in the south up through the Grenadine islands. St Vincent is hilly and its rich volcanic soil is very productive. The Grenadines, flat, mainly bare coral reefs, lie like stepping-stones between St Vincent and Grenada. Fewer than a dozen of these islands are populated. The largest are Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, Mustique and Union Island. These are relatively low-lying. All islands have beautiful white-sand beaches.