Country Profile
Country Profile
About Grenada
ABOUT US
The State of Grenada consists of three islands-
Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique which
form the southern end of the Windward Islands.
Formerly colonized for many years, first by the
French and then by the British, the islands of
Grenada still retain traces of these European
influences in their culture, architecture and place
names. The Capital, St. George’s, is located on
the south west coast of Grenada. It is the seat
of government and the main commercial centre.
HISTORY
Before the 14th century, the Caribs, who
displaced the earlier population of Arawaks,
settled Grenada. Christopher Columbus during
his third voyage to the new world in 1498 sited
the island and named it Concepción. The origin
of the name “Grenada” is ambiguous but it is
likely that Spanish sailors renamed the island
for the city of Granada in Spain. The French then
adapted Granada to Grenade, and the British
followed suit, changing Grenade to Grenada.
European settlement was slow to follow due to
the fierce resistance of the warlike Caribs. The
island remained un-colonized for more than
150 years although Britain and France fought
for control. The French gained control of the
island in 1672 and held on to it until the British
successfully invaded the island in 1762 during
the Seven Years’ War and acquired Grenada by
the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Although the French
regained control in 1779, the island was restored
to Britain in 1783 by the Treaty of Versailles.
16
16
GEOGRAPHY PEOPLE
The State of Grenada lies between Trinidad
and Tobago to the south and St. Vincent and
the Grenadines to the north in the Eastern
Caribbean. It is the southern-most of the
Windward Islands. It is 100 miles north
of Venezuela, 158 miles south west of
Barbados. Approximately 108,132 people inhabit Grenada,
including the 6,521 inhabitants of Carriacou
and Petite Martinique. The nation’s citizens
are primarily of African, East-Indian and
European descent, with the largest proportion
of the population, approximately 75%, of African
descent. Grenada is an English-speaking nation.
POLITICAL PROFILE
Note Carriacou and Petit Martinique are not
parishes but officially classified as dependencies Grenada is 12 miles (18km) wide and 21
miles (34km) long, and covers a land area of
120 sq. miles (440 sq. km). Carriacou is 13
sq. miles (34 sq. km) and Petite Martinique
is 486 acres (194 hectares). During the 18th century the British established
sugar plantations and slave labour was brought
in from Africa to work on the estates. Natural
disasters in the late 18th century destroyed the
sugar fields and paved the way for the introduction
of other crops. Cacao, cotton, nutmeg and other
valuable spices were introduced and Grenada
assumed a new importance to European traders. Grenada’s volcanic origin has produced
topography
of
great
beauty
and
environmental variety, ranging from
mountainous rainforest to dry lowlands and
coastal mangroves. The highest point is
Mt. St. Catherine at 2,757 ft. and ancient
volcanic craters can be found in the central
massif. Slavery was outlawed in 1834, at which
the slave population had reached 24,000.
National political consciousness took shape
through the labour movement. Grenada
joined the Federation of the West Indies in
1958. When that was dissolved in 1962,
Grenada evolved first into an Associated
State with internal self government (1967).
Independence was achieved in 1974; Grenada
became a constitutional monarchy, with a
Prime Minister and Queen Elizabeth II as Head
of State, represented by the Governor General. CLIMATE Parishes Town Area (km2) Population
Saint Patrick Sauteurs 42 10,674
Saint Mark Victoria 25 3,004
Saint John Gouyave 35 8,591
Saint Andrew Grenville 99 24,749
Saint George St. George’s 65 37,057
Saint David St. David’s 44 11,486
Carriacou Hillsborough 34 7,104
2.5 1,000
Petit Martinique
www.businessgrenada.com
www.businessgrenada.com
Average temperatures range from 75ºF to
85ºF (24ºC to 30ºC), tempered by the steady
and cooling trade winds while the lowest
temperatures occur between November
and February. Due to Grenada’s remarkable
landscape, the island also experiences
climate changes according to altitude. The
driest season is between January and May
while the rainy season is from June to
December.
Grenada gained independence from Britain
in 1974 and is an independent nation within
the British Commonwealth. Her Majesty,
Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State and is
represented locally by the Governor General,
who is appointed on the advice of the Prime
Minister. Grenada has a Westminister style
Parliamentary form of Government. The
Parliament which exercises legislative power
consists of the House of Representatives and
the Senate. Executive power lies with the Prime
Minister and his Cabinet. General Elections are
held every five 5 years.
(1990-1995) 2nd Term
• International dialing code: +1 473
• Hon. Ben Jones, MP., JP (1989 -1990) • Internet domain: .gd
• Hon. Herbert Blaize, MP, JP (1984 -1989) • Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollars (XCD)
• Mr. Maurice Bishop (1979 -1983) • Major Languages: English (Official),
local dialect is also prevalent
• Hon. Sir Eric Matthew Gairy, KT., MP
(1974 -1979)
• Nationality: Grenadian
GOVERNORS GENERAL • Major religion: Christianity
• Dame Dr. Cecile La Grenade (2013 - Present) • Sir Carlyle Glean (2008 – 2013) • Life Expectancy: 67 years (men),
70 years (women) (UN)
• Sir Daniel Charles Williams (1996 – 2008) • GDP per capita: US $5,832 (2018 estimate)
• Sir Reginald Oswald Palmer (1992 – 1996) • Labour Force: 60% of population
• Sir Paul Scoon (1978 – 1992) • Literacy rate: 94%
• Sir Leo De Gale (1974- 1978) • Airport: Maurice Bishop International
Airport (MBIA)
GOVERNOR
• Dame Hilda Bynoe (1968 - 1974)
FAST FACTS
• Official Name: Grenada
• Type of State: Constitutional monarchy
• Head of State: (Queen Elizabeth II)
Dr. Cecile La Grenade
PRIME MINISTERS • Dependencies: Carriacou & Petite Martinique • Head of Government:
Dr. The Right Hon. Keith Mitchell
• Dr. The Right Hon. Keith Mitchell, MP
(2013 - present) • Area: 3 islands, 133 sq. miles total (344 km2 ) • Ruling Party: New National Party (NNP)
• Population: 104,000 (UN, 2009) • Political Structure: 15 Constituencies
• Hon. Tillman Thomas (2008 - 2013) • Capital: St. George’s (est. pop. 37,057) • Dr. The Right Hon. Keith Mitchell, MP
(2005 - 2008) • Location: 12.07° North 61.40° West • Elections: Last: February, 2018.
Next: By Feb 2023
• Highest Point: Mt. St. Catherine (2,757 ft) • Suffrage: Universal at 18
• Hon.George Brizan, MP (1995) • Time zone: EST+ 1; (GMT - 4:00) • Hon. Sir Nicholas Brathwaite KT., OBE,
MP(1983-1984) 1st Term (Interirm); • Climate: Tropical - avg. temperature of
75ºF (24ºC) • National Holiday: 7 February
(1974, Independence Day)
www.businessgrenada.com
www.businessgrenada.com
• Constitution: December 19, 1975 BG
17
17