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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, island nation (1995 est. pop. 117,000), 150 sq mi (388 sq km), West Indies, in the Windward Islands. It comprises the island of Saint Vincent (140 sq mi/363 sq km) and about two thirds of the small Grenadine islands to the south. The capital is Kingstown.
Saint Vincent island is mountainous, rising to 4,048 ft (1,234 m) at SoufriEre volcano, which erupted in 1902 and 1979, causing considerable damage to the island. The people are mainly descendants of Africans who were brought as slaves during the colonial period; there are also people of European, Asian Indian, and Carib descent. English is the predominant language, and a French patois is also spoken. The main religions are Methodism, Anglicanism, and Roman Catholicism. The climate is well-suited to agriculture, which is an important part of Saint Vincent's economy. Bananas, arrowroot, and copra are the chief exports, followed by other agricultural products such as sea-island cotton. Tourism is also economically important.
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