The most interesting facts about Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, from the playground of the ultra-wealthy to the Gem of the Antilles.
Fast facts
Official name: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Population: 100,969 (0.1 million)
Area: 389 sq km
Capital city: Kingstown
Major languages: English, Vincentian Creole English, French patois
Major religions: Christianity, Rastafarianism
Time zone: UTC-4 (Atlantic Time Zone)
Interesting facts about Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
1. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation located in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, mainly consisting of the main island of Saint Vincent and the 32 smaller islands known as the Grenadines.
2. Saint Vincent was first inhabited by the Ciboney people, who were joined and eventually displaced by the Arawak people, who originated in Venezuela and settled throughout the West Indies. The islands were then conquered by Carib Indians of South America around 1300.
3. It was initially believed that Christopher Columbus visited the main island on St Vincent’s Day in 1498 – hence its name. However, it has now been confirmed that Columbus was in Spain at the time and never even visited Saint Vincent.
4. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are often referred to as a playground for the rich and famous, as the islands of Mustique, Palm Island, and Union Island are frequented by the ultra-wealthy as well as the British Royal Family.
5. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are sometimes called the Gem of the Antilles, which is represented in the country’s flag.
6. The flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is made up of a vertical yellow stripe with three green diamonds in the center, with narrower green and blue stripes on either side. The V-shape of the diamonds stands for Saint Vincent, the blue represents the sky, the yellow represents sunshine and the green represents the lush terrain.
7. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were disputed between France and the UK for most of the 18th century before the islands were eventually ceded to the UK in 1783.
8. From 1958 to 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a member of the British-sponsored West Indies Federation.
9. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines eventually gained independence from the UK in 1979.
10. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines still has the UK’s Queen as head of state despite a 2009 referendum on whether or not to become a republic.
11. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is one of 27 countries that does not have a single UNESCO World Heritage Site.
12. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is home to the active volcano of La Soufriere. After lying dormant since 1979, the volcano erupted in 2021, sending an ash plume 20,000ft into the air and displacing thousands of people.
13. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the world’s 11th smallest sovereign state.
14. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have the world’s sixth-highest murder rate at 30.67 intentional homicides per 100,000 people.
15. The largest of the Grenadine islands, Bequia, is only around seven square miles – roughly a third the size of Manhattan in New York – and only home to around 5,000 people.
16. Several scenes from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies were filmed in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
17. Only nine islands in the Grenadines are inhabited.
18. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are home to the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere. The Saint Vincent Botanic Gardens were established in 1765 in Kingstown.
19. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines receive around 76,000 visitors a year.
20. The capital, Kingstown, was named in honor of George III of the UK in 1763.
21. There are several other locations around the country are named after the British Royal Family including Princess Margaret Beach and Port Elizabeth.
22. Kingstown has been nicknamed the “City of Arches” as it supposedly has over 400 arches.
23. The national symbol of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the Saint Vincent Amazon (Amazona guildingii), also known as the Saint Vincent Parrot. The bird can only be found on the Island of Saint Vincent and is endangered with fewer than 1,000 thought to still be in existence.
24. Citizens of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are known as Vincentians or colloquially as Vincies.
25. There is an annual Breadfruit Festival held annually in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines during August. Breadfruit was initially brought to the islands to feed slaves as it was a cheap source of food.
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Every effort has been made to verify these facts about Saint Vincent and the Grenadines using primary sources. However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.