10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter.
Population:
70,786 (July 2001 est.)
Currency:
East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Languages:
English (official), French patois
Elevation:
highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural hazards:
flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months
Climate:
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall
Agricultural:
bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and fishery potential not exploited.
Economy:
The economy depends on agriculture and is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions, notably tropical storms. Agriculture, primarily bananas, accounts for 21% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Development of the tourist industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline, lack of beaches, and the lack of an international airport. Hurricane Luis devastated the country's banana crop in September 1995; tropical storms had wiped out one-quarter of the crop in 1994 as well. The subsequent recovery has been fueled by increases in construction, soap production, and tourist arrivals. The government is attempting to develop an offshore financial industry in order to diversify the island's production base.
