Long-form name: none

Type: independent state within Commonwealth, recognizing Elizabeth II as Chief of State

Capital: Kingstown

Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick

Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK)

Constitution: 27 October 1979

Legal system: based on English common law; highest judicial body is Court of Appeal of Leeward and Windward Islands

National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1970)

Branches: bicameral legislature (15-member elected House of Representatives and six-member appointed Senate), judiciary (Supreme Court)

Leaders: Henry Harvey WILLIAMS, Acting Governor General (since 1988); James F. MITCHELL, Prime Minister (since 1984)

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Elections: every five years; last held 18 July 1984

Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party (NDP), James (Son) Mitchell; St. Vincent Labor Party (SVLP), Vincent Beach; United People's Movement (UPM), Adrian Saunders; Movement for National Unity (MNU), Ralph Gonsalves; National Reform Party (NRP), Joel Miguel

Voting strength: (1984 election) House of Assembly--NDP 10 seats, SVLP 3 seats; 2 new seats have been added for the 1989 election

Member of: CARICOM, EEC, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IMO, OAS, OECS, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO

Diplomatic representation: none

Flag: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a @m5V pattern

NOTE: The information regarding St. Vincent and the Grenadines on this page is re-published from the 1989 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Government 1989 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about St. Vincent and the Grenadines Government 1989 should be addressed to the CIA.