Union Island
Union Island | ||
---|---|---|
Union Island | ||
Waters | Caribbean Sea | |
Archipelago | Grenadines | |
Geographical location | 12 ° 36 ′ 0 ″ N , 61 ° 26 ′ 0 ″ W | |
|
||
length | 4.5 km | |
width | 1.5 km | |
surface | 8 km² | |
Highest elevation |
Mount Taboi 304 m |
|
Residents | 5000 625 inhabitants / km² |
|
main place | Clifton Harbor |
Union Island is one of the southernmost islands of the independent island state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines . In the Caribbean island located counts geographically to group the Grenadines .
The main towns on the island are Clifton Harbor and Ashton . Union Island has an international airport from which (the main island located about 70 km north-northeast) Saint Vincent and some other islands of the Grenadines, as well as Barbados , Carriacou , Grenada and Martinique are served.
geography
Because of its volcanic silhouette, the island is also called Tahiti of the West Indies . Surrounding islands are the Tobago Cays , Mayreau , Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent . Union Island is 4.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The highest mountain is Mount Taboi in the west with 304 meters, which is significantly higher than Mount Parnassus with 275 meters.
history
The native inhabitants, Arawak and Caribs , were followed by French and British colonization. The Europeans brought hundreds of Africans to the island, mainly from Cameroon and Angola . After the abolition of slavery , the blacks made a living from agriculture and fishing.
economy
Charter of yachts creates a large part of the jobs today. But there are also numerous boutiques and supermarkets, bars and restaurants, internet cafes and a diving school . There are also three hotels on the island.
Culture
The Easter Valley takes place every year at Easter . Every year at the beginning of the planting season there is a festival, the Maroon Festival. It is supposed to bring the rain necessary to water the plants.
Individual evidence
- ^ Sarah Cameron: Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines . Footprint, Bath 2014, ISBN 978-1-909268-36-4 , p. 110.