Climate
St. Vincent has a mountainous interior, having La Soufriere, an active volcano in the north rising to 1,220 m (4,000 ft.) as its highest point, and a sheltered and indented coastline on the Leeward coast. St. Vincent is roughly 29 km (18 miles) long and 17.7 km (11 miles) wide and has an area of 344 sq. km (133 sq. miles), while the Grenadines comprise an additional 44 sq. km (17 square miles). Bequia covers 18 sq. km (7 sq. miles) and its highest peak is 268 m (881 ft.). The island of Mustique is 5 sq. km (1.9 sq. miles) and rises to 151 m (496 ft.) at its highest. Mount Royal at 274 m (900 ft.) is the highest point in the7.5 sq. km (3 sq. miles) island of Canouan. The 5.5 km (3 1/2 mile) long Union Island features as its highest peak Mt. Tobai which soars to 305 m (1,000 ft.)
The average yearly temperature is 27° C (81° F). The coolest months are between November and February. During the rainy season, May through October, rain is frequent in the mountains of St. Vincent with the annual average rainfall being 380 cm (150 inches) inland and 200 cm (80 inches) on the coast.

Government
St Vincent and the Grenadines is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and is represented on the island by a governor general. Independence was achieved on October 27th, 1979. The unicameral parliament, the House of Assembly, has 15 elected representatives and six senators who are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The parliamentary term of office is five years, although the Prime Minister may call elections at any time.

Education
The Vincentian educational system is modelled on the British system. School is compulsory up to age 15 and government schools are free at the primary and secondary levels. Post secondary education is provided through polytechnics and Kingstown Medical College, a campus of St. George's University (Grenada), located near Kingstown. The University maintains affiliations with hospitals for clinical programmes in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean.

Health
There are six public hospitals, including Kingstown General Hospital, and Maryfield Hospital, Lowmans and Bequia Casualty Hospital, Port Elizabeth, and three privately owned hospitals. Community care is provided by 38 outpatient clinics located throughout the country. Each clinic serves about 3,000 people and is easily accessible. Health centres are well staffed and provide a wide range of services, including midwifery, family planning, immunization and emergency care. St. Vincent has a mental health centre and a home for the elderly. The life expectancy is 68 years for men and 72 years for women.

Electricity
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a reliable supply of electricity. Electricity is generally 220/240 volt, 50 cycle, except for Petit St. Vincent which has 110 volt, 60 cycle. Most hotels have 110 volt shaver outlets. The standard electrical plug has 3 rectangular pins so remember to pack an adapter.

Water
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has an abundant supply of potable water as the level of rainfall is high

Telecommunications
St Vincent and the Grenadines has a state of the art fibre optic digital telephone system. Internet, Boatphone, Cellular service, telex, telegraph and facsimile access are also available. The international area code is 1-784 followed by the local seven-digit number. Phonecards are available through outlets islandwide as are Phonecard booths. International Direct Dialing (IDD) service is available to most destinations in the world and International calls can be made using your credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, AT & T and Bell are accepted) by dialing the operator.

If you want to use a mobile telephone Cable & Wireless,AT&T and Digicel have a digital and GSM mobile network.Visitors from North america can roam in all the islands.

Roads
There are 580 km (360 miles) of surfaced roads with the Leeward and Windward highways traversing either side of the country. Country roads can be narrow with steep inclines and declines so exercise caution.

Airports
There are six airports in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with E. T. Joshua Airport in Kingstown being the largest. The four small domestic airports are located in Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union Island. There is also a private airport on Palm Island. These airports are serviced by LIAT, Caribbean Star, Caribbean Sun, BWIA Express, SVG Air, Mustique Airways, and TIA. American Eagle services Canouan. A departure tax of EC$40 is charged to all passengers leaving the country.

Money
The currency of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$). Notes are issued in denominations of $100, 50, 20,10, 5 and 2. Coins are issued in denominations of $1 and 25,10, 5 and 1 cents.

Immigration, Work Permits & Visas
All persons entering St Vincent & the Grenadines require valid passports, a return or onward ticket as well as sufficient funds to cover their stay for up to six months. A return or onward ticket is required of all visitors.

Immigration visas are required from nationals of the following countries: Dominican Republic, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, The People's Republic of China, Iraq, Iran and Nigeria. For visa queries email: natsec@mail.gov.vc

Work permits are available from the Prime Minister's office on Bay Street, Kingstown.

Customs Regulations

Duty- Free allowances to Adult passenger if declared.

• Wine or spirit, 40 ozs (1 quart)
• Tobacco ½ lb or
• Cigars fifty in number
• Tobacco, cigars and or cigarettes, five pounds weight in all
• Sprits, four gallons in all wine, ten gallons in all. Any greater quantity of any of these articles shall be deemed to be cargo.
• Meat products required- Imports permit from Ministry of Trade, Meat Inspection certificate from source country; Inspection by the Veterinary officer in St. Vincent.

Safety
Centipede and Scorpion bites
While not lethal, the severity and degree of discomfort depends on individual sensitivity. If there is - any doubt, you should see a doctor, especially if a child has been bitten

Coconut Palms
Never leave a baby or a small child beneath a coconut palm, it is possible for the coconut or dead fronds to fall off the tree at any moment causing serious injury.

ILLegal Drugs
Visitors need to be aware that there are very severe penalties for possession of illegal drugs like Cannabis (weed or ganja), cocaine - up to life imprisonment and yacht confiscation. Customs officials are well equipped and trained, so no attempts should be made to import or export even small quantities for "personal use."

Manchineel
Avoid contact with Manchineel trees orfruit.The fruit, commonly known as Manchineel Apples, since they look and smell just like small apples, are very poisonous and sap from the tree and fruit blisters the skin. Therefore, if it is raining, be sure that the tree you are sheltering under is not a manchineel, as drops of rain falling off can still produce the same unpleasant effect.

Mosquitos and Sandflies
Not a large problem here but people with sensitive skin may be bothered. There are many repellents you can use to prevent bites, however, creams are available in pharmacies to relieve itching and promote healing if required.

Sea Urchins
A black sea egg with long black spines. If the spines are protruding from your skin then you can try to carefully remove them; but if they are beneath the skin DO NOT try to "dig" them out as this could cause infection. If you leave them in your skin then they eventually dissolve and disappear. To be safe, soak with vinegar or some form of antiseptic.

Links & Sources:

• Frommers
• St Vincent & Grenadines Tourism Board