Political Status: Former British dependency; joined West Indies Associated States in 1967; independent member of the Commonwealth since October 27, 1979.

Area: 150 sq. mi. (389 sq. km.), including the Grenadine dependencies, which encompass 17 sq. mi. (44 sq. km.).

Population: 110,866 (2012E—UN); 103,537 (2012E—U.S. Census).

Major Urban Center (2005E): KINGSTOWN (30,400, including suburbs).

Official Language: English.

Monetary Unit: East Caribbean Dollar (official rate October 3, 2011: 2.70 EC dollars = $1US).

Sovereign: Queen ELIZABETH II.

Governor General: Sir Frederick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE; sworn in on September 2, 2002, after being appointed by the Queen following the death of Sir Charles James ANTROBUS on June 3. (Deputy Governor General Monica DACON had served in an acting capacity during the interim period.)

Prime Minister: Dr. Ralph E. GONSALVES (Unity Labour Party); sworn in March 29, ...