The northern two-thirds of the chain, including about 32 islands and cays, is part of the country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

They lie between the islands of Saint Vincent in the north and Grenada in the south.

When the French claimed Grenada in 1650, the Grenadines were included (St Vincent to the north remained Carib country).

Because of their small size, dangerous reefs and lack of fresh water, the French used them mainly for fishing, turtle catching and lime-making.

[2] The following islands make up the Grenadines Parish: Carriacou and Petite Martinique is a dependency of Grenada and has a population of 10,900 people.