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Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines is an independent nation that is well known for
its democratic system of Government.
Elections are held every five years.
The multi Island State became independent on the 27 October
1979.
It
is a full member of the British Commonwealth, the United Nations, the
Organization of American States, the International Labor Organization,
CARICOM, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.
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History
Christopher
Columbus did not visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines as the Old
tale used to say. It is
not widely known that this country was inhabited as far back 7000 years
ago by the Ciboney. Around
200 A.D., they were displaced by the Arawaks from South America.
One thousand years later the fierce Caribs arrived on these shores.
The
English and French tried to settle in this country, but they were driven
off by the Caribs. Paramount
Carib Chief Chatoyer fell in 1795, and the native population was finally
conquered by colonists.
Independence
was granted on 27 October 1979, and in this State dwell a
harmonious blend of people of Carib, African, Portuguese, Scottish, Irish,
and East Indian descendants, with newer immigrants from the Middle East
and Asia, France, Italy, England, Canada and the USA.
St.
Vincent and the Grenadines is Located at 600 56 West
longitude and 130 15 North latitude.
It is approximately 1600 miles southeast of Miami and 100 miles
form Barbados, and is part of the Windward Islands, which are part of the
Island chain, called the Lesser Antilles.
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