9781422286357

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Jewels of the Ocean

developed and poorest in the Windward chain. One of St. Vincent’s most famous landmarks is Soufrière, an active volcano. Compared with the other islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines don’t receive many tourists. However, many sailors love the Grenadines, a chain of 30 small islands stretching over 80 miles (129 km) between St. Vincent and Grenada. Only a few of the small islands are inhabited. Bequia, one of the inhabited islands, measures only five by two miles (8 by 3 km), yet it is home to about 4,500 people and a great shopping place for sailors on the go. A few of the unin- habited islands are so small that some might consider them mere sandbars. At the southernmost point of the island chain is Grenada, nicknamed “the spice island of the Caribbean” because it produces many different spices for the rest of the world. Life on Grenada is easygoing and casual. Visitors often stay there at night while exploring the Grenadines during the daytime. The island is developing steadily, and residents hope to make it as big a tourist attraction as St. Lucia. Unlike the other islands, which all have above- ground volcanic vents , Grenada has an underwater volcano that can be seen only from the air. The Weather Report Because the Windward Islands lie within the Tropics, they enjoy lots of sun and warm temperatures, but the steady northeast trade winds keep the air comfortable. The average temperature on the islands is a pleasant 77º Fahrenheit (25º Celsius), with highs not usually above 90ºF (32ºC) and lows rarely below 55ºF (13ºC). Even the ocean stays warm; year-round the water averages a balmy 80ºF (27ºC)—just right for swimming.