The capital is Kingstown . English is the predominant language, and a French patois is also spoken. The main religions are Methodism, Anglicanism, and Roman Catholicism. The climate is well-suited to agriculture, which is an important part of Saint Vincent's economy. Bananas, arrowroot, and copra are the chief exports, followed by other agricultural products such as sea-island cotton.
Tourism is also economically important.
2 History Presumably visited by Columbus in 1498, Saint Vincent remained uncolonized by Europeans until a British settlement was made in 1762. Portuguese and Asian Indian laborers were introduced there in the 19th cent. In 1979 it gained full independence. Since 1984 the islands have been governed by the centrist New Democratic party under Prime Minister James Mitchell. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.