St. Vincent and the Grenadines gained independence from the United Kingdom on October 27, 1979.

The country consists of the main island of St. Vincent and a chain of 32 smaller islands and cays that make up the Grenadines.

English is the official language, though Vincentian Creole is widely spoken.

The country's name comes from St. Vincent, named by Christopher Columbus on January 22, 1498, as he discovered the island on St. Vincent's feast day.

The indigenous Caribs (Kalinago) called the main island "Hairouna," meaning "Land of the Blessed."

The La Soufrière volcano, which dominates the northern part of St. Vincent, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Eastern Caribbean.

Is home to the oldest botanical garden in the Western Hemisphere, established in 1765, where the famous breadfruit tree first arrived in the Caribbean through Captain Bligh.

Has filming locations for the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, particularly in the Grenadines, including scenes shot in Wallilabou Bay.

Houses some of the last remaining populations of the St. Vincent Parrot (Amazona guildingii), which is the national bird and appears on the country's flag.

Experienced a significant volcanic eruption of La Soufrière in April 2021, which was its first major eruption since 1979, the year of independence.

Agriculture, particularly banana cultivation, and tourism are the main pillars of the economy.