General

Island name: Canouan (from Carib for "island of turtles").

Country: St. Vincent and the Grenadines (VC). 

Nationality: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s). 

Language: English, French patois.

Island Capital: Charlestown.

Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November).
 

Geography

Area: 323.0 sq km (150.3 sq miles), St Vincent: 344 sq km (133 sq miles), Grenadines: 45.3 sq km (17.3 sq miles).

Coastline: 84 km.

Geographic coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W. 

Highest point: Soufriere Vulcano 1,234 m. 

Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago, 160 km west of Barbados. 

Size: 5 km x 2 km.

Terrain: Canouan is a crescent-shaped island surrounded by wide shallows and coral - a scuba diver's dream. 
 

Tourist Information

Overview: The islanders are mainly fisherman and small farmers. However, with a wealth of excellent beaches and unspoiled scenery, Canouan is attracting significant hotel development. Recently the north of the island has been sold to a development company which has done much to improve the infrastructure of Canouan and built the luxury Raffles resort, 18 hole golf course and casino. The airport has been enlarged permitting easy access to the island by American Eagle.

Accommodation: In the area of Villa and Indian Bay are many small hotels. Kingstown itself has several hotels, while just outside town, in New Montrose, there are a number of hotels, apartments and guest houses.

Activities: sailing, diving, snorkeling, swimming, great hiking, and golf.

Average tourist arrivals: 65,000.

Crime: The crime rate in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is high compared to developed countries. Petty street crime occurs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. From time to time, property has been stolen from yachts anchored in the Grenadines.

Electricity: The 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 and/or voltage converters for guests, but it's best to bring long your own personal adapter. 

Entry Requirements: All visitors must have valid passports including Nationals of the UK, USA and Canada. Visas are required for some Nationalities and must be checked locally.

Telephone: country code - 1-784. 

Time: During daylight savings time, from April through October, local time is the same as U.S. Eastern Daylight Time, and four hours behind GMT. During the remainder of the year, the islands are five hours behind GMT and one hour ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
 

Money

Cost of living: Saint Vincent is one of the cheaper Caribbean islands, but some of the Grenadine Islands are very expensive.

Credit cards: US and EC dollars are accepted at stores, restaurants and hotels, as are travellers' cheques and most major credit cards.

Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD). East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (fixed rate since 1976). The U.S. dollar is accepted pretty much everywhere on the island. 

Tipping: Usually a 10 % service charge will be added to your restaurant bill. Tipping is expected only for special service. Taxi drivers and tour guides expect 10 %.
 

Transport

Airports: E.T. Joshua International (SVD) in Arnos Vale only a 10 minute drive from Kingstown. Air connections are available through Puerto Rico, Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Trinidad. Direct flights to Bequia, Canouan, Mustique, Union Island and St. Vincent operate from these gateways. Mustique Airways , TIA, and SVG provide shared and private charters. Between Barbados and St. Vincent is a scheduled daily service from Caribbean Star and Liat. 

Departure Tax: Departure tax EC$ 40.00.

Flight Times: Puerto Rico 2 hours, Barbados 40 minutes, Grenada 30 minutes, Martinique 40 minutes.

Ferry Service: MV Baracuda operates between St. Vincent and Union three times a week with stops at Bequia, Canouan, and Mayreau (a long 5 hour and 15 minute trip) In Union Island you can catch a boat to Carriacou, and from there the ferry to Grenada. This trip is one of the best you can do in the Caribbean. There is as well a boat service from St. Vincent to Mustique.

Ports and harbors: Kingstown. 

Land Transport: taxis, local busses (a van with many seats) or rental cars. Driving is on the left and a drivers license must be obtained to rent a vehicle.
 

Politics

Ethnic groups: black 66 %, mixed 19%, East Indian 6 %, Carib Amerindian 2 %, other 7 %. 

Government type: constitutional monarchy. 

Legal system: based on English common law.

Literacy: 96 % (male: 96 %, female: 96 %).

Religions: Anglican 47 %, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13 %, other (includes Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant) 12%. 
 

Economy

Agriculture products: bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; fish. 

GDP per capita: US$ 10,200 (2009 est.). 

Industries: food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch. 

Natural resources: hydropower, cropland. 

Unemployment rate: 15 % (2001 est.). 
 

Radio Frequencies
 

BBC World Service MHz 17.72 15.22 6.195 5.975

Voice of America: MHz 13.74 11.70 6.130 5.995