Climate & Geography
The Government
Currency
Mountainous interior Sheltered indented Leeward coastline
SVG is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth of Nations
Eastern Caribbean Dollar
1,220m (4,000’)
27°C
Average yearly daytime temperature
La Soufriere: coolest nov-feb active volcano in the north
Airports | Departure Tax ET Joshua Airport in Arnos Vale, St. Vincent is the largest of 5 SVG airports, with a new international airport at Argyle, St. Vincent scheduled for completion in 2017.
Serviced by Liat (St. Vincent and Canouan), SVG Air, Grenadine Air Alliance and Mustique Airways.
Departure Tax
EC$50
*inclusive in Liat ticket fare
airports: Bequia Mustique Canouan Union Island
Official Ports of Entry
st. vincent Kingstown, Chateaubelair,
Wallilabou, Blue Lagoon
bequia Port Elizabeth union island Clifton Harbour canouan Charlestown Bay mustique Britannia Bay Ports are operated by the SVG Port Authority Emergency Call (784) 456-1830 or Johnny Ollivierre at (784) 533-0016
Yacht Clearance Procedures • Visiting yachts must complete clearance formalities at a designated port of entry before docking at any other anchorage • With Q flag hoisted, only the captain should go ashore with: 1. Three crew lists 2. Clearance from the previous port 3. Passports 4. Ship’s papers • Boats must clear out of an official port • Private vessels may pay a Cruise Tax for unlimited stay in SVG waters • Charter boats must possess an SVG Cruising Licence
Queen Elizabeth II Head of State Governor General Queen’s Representative
10.27.79 Independence 5 yrs Parliamentary term of office 21 Members of Parliament* *15 elected, 6 appointed senators 4 by PM, 2 by Opposition Leader
Getting Here by Air St. Vincent is reached by air from N. America and Europe through 6 gateways with daily connections to Union, Canouan, Mustique and Bequia: 2hr 20 mins 1hr 45 mins 35 mins 30 mins 20 mins
puerto rico trinidad martinique barbados grenada st. lucia
To find out more about airlines, flights and inter-island travel, visit the ‘Getting Here’ page at www.discoversvg.com
Immigration
SVG arrivals must present: 1. a valid passport (at least 6 months) 2. sufficient funds to cover their stay A return or onward ticket is required Visas are required for nationals of: Dominican Republic, China, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria Work permits are available from the Prime Minister’s Office, Bay Street, Kingstown
220/240 volt *Petit St. Vincent & Palm Island 110 volt, 60 cycle Standard plug Pack an adaptor
Potable Water
in abundant supply due to high levels of rainfall
safe to drink
* Rainwater collected/ stored in cisterns on most islands
Bottled mineral water is readily available at groceries and restaurants
State of the art fibre optic digital telephone system
• Natural deep water harbour at Kingstown • Wharf accommodates two oceangoing ships • Regular services: kingstown St. Vincent north > Major america europe ports caribbean
internet • boatphone • cellular
1-784 + local 7 digit number International Direct Dialing (IDD) service is available. International calls can be made through the operator by major credit card phone cards / online ‘top ups’ available islandwide
Legal System
CAMOUFLAGE* PUBLIC NUDITY eg
al
the Grenadines) Supreme Court comprises a high court and a court of appeals • 11 courts in 3 managerial districts • The judicial committee of Her Majesty’s Privy Council in London is the court of last resort
Clothing Casual dress is best ill
• The Eastern Caribbean (or St. Vincent &
Fast Facts
Electricity
in reliable supply
Seaport | Shipping
• Post-secondary education is provided
16
Major credit cards accepted
Telecommunications
The legal system is derived from English common law and statutes.
through a Community College and polytechnics • 4 medical universities affiliated with hospitals for UK, US and Caribbean-based clinical programmes
= US$1
50 cycle
flying time to St. Vincent
Education • School is compulsory up to 15 years old • Government funded primary and secondary schooling is free
EC$2.70
Topless sunbathing discouraged. Swimsuits must not be worn in towns, public streets or business places.
*illegal to wear or import
344 (29 x 17.7km) st. vincent/km2 44 the grenadines/km2