- 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.
History
Main article: History of Grenada
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 from 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 Communist Cuba didn't sit well with the more conservative nations in the area, including Barbados, Dominica and the United States. A dispute with a hard-line Communist wing of the ruling New Jewel
party loyal to Bernard Coard
led to Bishop's execution on October 19, 1983 in a coup d'etat.
Six 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
Main article: Politics of Grenada
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
Main article: Parishes of Grenada
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
Main article: Geography of Grenada
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
Main article: Economy of Grenada
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
Main article: Demographics of Grenada
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
Main article: Culture of Grenada
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 links
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