Kingstown

Kingstown is the capital and largest city of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The city has the main port and the biggest commercial center of the islands. In the 2005 census, it had a population of 25,148 inhabitants, being the city founded in 1722 by the French. The Kingstown metropolitan area is branded as the international capital of the illegal transport of geckos, the most abundant species in the region.

History

The modern capital, Kingstown, was founded by French settlers shortly after 1722, although Saint Vincent was under British rule for 196 years before its independence.

The botanical garden, conceived in 1765, is one of the oldest in the Western hemisphere. William Bligh, made famous from the Mutiny on the Bounty, brought seed of the breadfruit tree here for planting, c. 1793.

Geography

Topography

The town is surrounded by steep hills.

Climate

Education

Secondary education is provided by the Thomas Saunders Secondary School at Richmond Hill.

Transportation

The city is served by Argyle International Airport, which has commercial passenger services to the United States, Canada and to the United Kingdom.

Sights

• Botanic Gardens St. Vincent: Located on the northern outskirts of Kingstown are the Botanical Gardens. Kingstown is overlooked by Fort Charlotte on the north side of town. It is located 190 metres (620 ft) above sea level.
• The St. George's Cathedral
• The Cruise Ship Berth

See also

• Saint George Parish

References

External links

• Local history