26 October 2012 Last updated at 09:41 ET

St Vincent and the Grenadines profile

The map of St Vincent and the Grenadines

The multi-island country of St Vincent and the Grenadines is a land of contrasts. St Vincent - the main population centre - is mountainous and lush. Rainforests thrive in the interior and La Soufriere, an active volcano which last erupted in 1979, dominates the north.

Of the many islands and cays that make up the Grenadines, Mustique, Palm Island and Union Island are haunts of the rich and famous - offering yachting, diving and fine beaches.

These playgrounds are worlds away from the many Vincentians who are without jobs. High unemployment has prompted many to leave the islands.

At a glance

Politics: Ralph Gonsalves, aka "Comrade Ralph", won a third term as prime minister in 2010 by a slender margin
Economy: The banana industry is the biggest sector of the agricultural economy; a new international airport is under construction
International: Prime Minister Gonsalves has cultivated close ties with Venezuela and its leader Hugo Chavez

Country profiles compiled by BBC Monitoring

Like other countries in the Windwards chain, St Vincent and the Grenadines has tried to reduce its reliance on banana exports after the European Union phased out preferential treatment to producers from former colonies.

Efforts to diversify the economy have been partially successful. Tourism is said to have great potential and there are plans to build an international airport. But the banana crop remains vital, accounting for around a third of export earnings.

Like many other Caribbean countries, St Vincent and the Grenadines has fallen victim to drug-related crime. Efforts have been made to tackle marijuana cultivation.

The country has taken steps to curb money-laundering, and a Paris-based organisation dedicated to tackling the issue has removed St Vincent and the Grenadines from its list of non-cooperative countries.