Ralph Gonsalves
Prime Minister

(pronounced "RALF gon-SAHL-vayz")

"Let us again put the issue of political union [among Caribbean nations] on the agenda…For my part, it is a noise in my blood, an echo in my bones!"

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is located in the Windward Islands group of the eastern Caribbean, south of St. Lucia and west of Barbados. Its jurisdiction covers the northern Grenadine islets of Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, Mustique, Prune Island, Petit St. Vincent, and Union Island. The national capital is in Kingstown, located on the island of St. Vincent. All of the 32 islands that make up this country are volcanic in origin and some are privately owned. The country's total area is 389 sq km (150 sq mi).

The population was estimated to be 116,394 in 2002, with growth at 0.4%. Ethnic composition is...