Grenada

Alternate meanings, see Grenada (disambiguation)

Grenada, an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, is the second smallest independent country in the Western Hemisphere (after Saint Kitts and Nevis). It is located in the southwestern part of the sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago, and south of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Grenada

(In Detail)
National motto: The Land, The People, The Light
Official language	English
Capital	St. George's
Queen	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Daniel Williams
Prime Minister	Keith Mitchell
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 217th 344 km² 1,6%
Population  - Total (2002)  - Density	Ranked 198th 89,260 139,5/km²
Independence	February 7, 1974
Currency	East Caribbean Dollar
Time zone	UTC -4
National anthem	Hail Grenada
Internet TLD	.gd
Calling Code	1-473

History

The recorded history of Grenada begins in 1498, when Christopher Columbus first sighted the island. After a failed British settlement attempt, the French purchased the island off the Carib indians in 1650. The island was again ceded to Britain in 1783. Grenada was made a Crown Colony in 1877.

Independence was granted in 1974, and in 1979, after an unstable political period, power was seized by the charismatic and popular left-wing leader Maurice Bishop. Bishop's socialism and cooperation with the communist Cuba didn't sit well with the other nations in the area. A dispute with the military Coard faction lead to Bishop's execution on October 19, 1983.

6 days later, the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations in part of a military campaign called Operation Urgent Fury. The forces quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers, most of whom were laborers working on the construction of a major airport for the island which the United States completed years later. Elections were held the following year. A publicised tactical concern of the United States was the safe recovery of U.S. nationals enrolled at St. George's University.

Politics

As a Commonwealth nation, the British monarch is the formal head of state of Grenada. She is represented by a governor general, but real executive power lies with the head of government, the prime minister. Although appointed by the governor general, the prime minister generally is the leader of the largest faction in the parliament.

The parliament consists of a Senate (13 members) and a House of Representatives (15). The senators are appointed by the government and the opposition, while the representatives are elected by the population for 5-year terms. With 8 seats after the 2003 election, the New National Party remains the largest party in Grenada.

Parishes

Politically, Grenada is divided into six parishes, viz.:

• Saint Andrew
• Saint David
• Saint George
• Saint John
• Saint Mark
• Saint Patrick

Carriacou and Petit Martinique, two of the Grenadines have the status of dependency.

Geography

The island Grenada itself is the largest island; smaller Grenadines are Carriacou, Petit Martinique, Rhonde Island, Caille Island, Diamond Island, Large Island, Saline Island and Frigate Island. Most of the population lives on Grenada itself, and major towns there include the capital St. George's, Grenville and Gouyave. Largest settlement on the other islands is Hillsborough on Carriacou.

The islands are of volcanic origin, and Grenada's inlands are slightly mountainous, with several small rivers flowing into the sea. The climate is tropical: hot and humid, and Grenada occasionally suffers from hurricanes.

Economy

Economic progress in fiscal reforms and prudent macroeconomic management have boosted annual growth to 5%-6% in 1998-99; the increase in economic activity has been led by construction and trade. Tourist facilities are being expanded; tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner. Major short-term concerns are the rising fiscal deficit and the deterioration in the external account balance. Grenada shares a common central bank and a common currency with seven other members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Demographics

About 80% of the population are descendants of the African slaves brought by the Europeans; very little of the indigenous Carib and Arawak population remains.

The official language, English, is spoken by virtually everyone, although a few still speak a French patois. Nearly all Grenadians are Christians, about half of them Catholics; Anglicanism is the largest Protestant religion.

Culture

French influence on culture is much less than in other Caribbean islands, and culture is heavily influenced by the African roots of most of the Grenadians.

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Grenada
• Transportation in Grenada
• Military of Grenada
• Foreign relations of Grenada

External link

• Official Website of the Grenada Board of Tourism

Referenced By