Physical geography
Grenada is the most southerly of the Windward Islands, which form part of the Lesser Antilles Group in the Eastern Caribbean. Popularly referred to as 'The Isle of Spice', the Island lies 68 miles southwest of St. Vincent and approximately 90 miles north of Trinidad. It is 21 miles long and 12 miles wide at its extremes with an area of 120 square miles. The territory of the State of Grenada however, covers some 133 square miles which includes the Grenadine Islets of Carriacou and Petite Martinique to the north.Grenada is volcanic in origin. A ridge of mountains traverses the entire length of the Island with spurs running off on the western and eastern sides. The highest peak, Mt. St. Catherine, is 2,757 feet above sea level. There are a number of mineral and other springs on the Island, and their lakes, formed in the crater of extinct volcanoes. The largest of these, Grand Etang, is situated 1,740 feet above sea level. The South Coast is indented by numerous natural harbours, that of St. George's, the Capital, on the southwest coast is particularly good.
Carriacou - A dependency of Grenada, located 23 miles north of Grenada. It is the largest of the chains of islands known as the Grenadines. Modest hotel accommodation is available. Petite Martinique is one of the sister islands of Grenada. It is situated north of Grenada and is two miles off Carriacou, which is the other sister island of Grenada. The island has no airport, so all visitors to the island travel by boats, which you can get from Carriacou and Petite Martinique every day of the week.
Climate
A delightful climate with an average temperature of 83° F. Because of the year-round cool Trade Winds there is little humidity. A dry season prevails from January to May, the remainder of the year being wet.The annual rainfall varies from 60 inches on the coastal districts to as much as 150-200 inches in the mountainous areas.
Economic geography
Grenada is fortunate in having a fairly well diversified economy. It has three main agricultural crops - cocoa, nutmeg and mace and bananas - and combines both export and subsistence agriculture with a well-established tourist industry.Industrial production in Grenada is geared primarily towards the satisfaction of local consumer demand. However, limited commodities such as furniture, garments and agro-industrial products are exported from this section.
Demography
Grenada has an estimated 96,000 inhabitants. The main concentration of the population is in the town and parish of St. George's in the southwest of the Island.A brief history
Grenada was sighted by Christopher Columbus on his third voyage in 1498, but it was not until more than 100 years later that a group of London settlers arrived in an attempt to form a settlement. They are quickly driven off by the aboriginal Carib Indians who successfully discouraged all other attempts at settlement until the French purchased the Island from them for two bottles of brandy and a few trinkets.They then proceeded with the elimination of the unfriendly Caribs, 40 of whom, rather than surrender, threw themselves off the cliff on the north of the Island. This gave its name to the present historical site of Caribs Leap in the town of Sauteurs, a favourite spot for sightseers.
During the dynastic wars between Britain and France the island changed hands several times and was finally ceded to Britain in 1783. The Island then remained a British possession until the end of the colonial era.
On 3 March 1967 Grenada assumed Associated Statehood with Britain and became independent on 7 February 1974 Grenada has dominion status within the Commonwealth. The British Monarch is Head of State and is represented by a Governor General. Following the popular Revolution on 13 March 1979 Parliament was dissolved and replaced by a people's Revolutionary Government, comprising the Cabinet of seven ministers. The People's Revolution Government desolved on 19 October 1983, following a Military Coup by the short-lived Revolutionary Military Council (RMC). This short lived Government was over-thrown on 25 October 1983, by a US-led intervention General election was held on 4 December 1984, when the New National Party was placed in power with Herbert Agustus Blaize as Prime Minister together with 14 members of Parliament.
Religions
Sixty-four per cent of the population is Roman Catholic. Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Berean, Seventh-Day Adventist, Baptist and other religions sects maintain churches in the Capital and in most cases in the other towns and districts over the Island.Languages spoken by nationals
English is the official language. A French patois is still spoken in some villages by older people.Time
Atlantic Standard Time (Year round) or G.M.T. minus four hours.Money
The Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar is the official currency and you get $2.67 for US$1 and EC$1.25 for one Deutsche Mark. Travellers cheques widely accepted. It is important to note however, that due to existing fluctuations of exchange, there may be slight variations.Official holidays (all offices and shops closed)
1 January, New Year's Day; 7 February Independence Day, 28 March, Good Friday - 31 March, Easter Sunday - 1 May, Labour Day - 19 May, Whit Monday; 23 May, Corpus Christi; 4-5 August, Emancipation Days, 11 August, Carnival - 25 October, Thanksgiving Day; 25 December, Christmas Day - 26 December, Boxing Day.What one should not fail to see
Laura Herb and Spice Garden and the Fisherman's museum in St John.Historic Forts, the Botanical Gardens, the National Museum, the colourful market (Saturday a speciality). Waterfalls Caribs' Leap where the Caribs leapt to their death rather than surrender to the French, Levera Beach, Grand Etang Lake. Beautiful flowering trees and shrubs in new residential developments. (Grenada is a photographer's delight). All year round, during the off season (from 16 April to December 15), prices are reduced by 40-60 per cent.
Most favourable seasons for sojourns and touring
Enjoy popular water sports on the famous Grand Anse Beach; cruise up the fantastic Grenadines in a variety of yachts from local charter agents; catch a record-breaking game fish off Grenada's scenic coastline; unwind and relax on a beautiful offshore island. Evening entertainment at night spots and hotels.How to dress
The most suitable wear is the usual type of cool summer clothing. Sports wear is very popular as entertainment is on the whole informal. Ladies are advised not to wear shorts or scanty clothing in town.Main holiday resorts
The main tourist centre is in the southwest of Saint-George's, the Capital. Grenada offers a variety of accommodation, ranging from quaint inexpensive inns and guest houses to housekeeping villas and apartments to super luxury hotels.Main holiday sports
All water sports, golfing, tennis, fishing, cricket, football, netball, basket-ball, hiking and yachting.What to eat and drink
The main restaurants are in and around Saint-George's, the Capital. In addition, most hotels operate well-equipped restaurants and bars. Sea-food and a profusion of fresh fruits and vegetables are available on the Island. Callaloo soup, crab-backs, conch and avocado ice cream are popular local favourites. Grenada rum punches topped with local nutmeg are the connoisseurs' speciality. Also available are various brands of whisky, rum, beer and locally produced wines.What to buy
Almost anything that can be obtained elsewhere can be found in Grenada and at attractive prices. Popular purchases are local baskets of spices and straw handicraft. Duty-free items include watches, perfumes, porcelain or bone china and liquor - the cheapest in the Eastern Caribbean.Frontier formalities
Passports and visas
Passports are not required of citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada or the USA, who are visiting for a period not exceeding three months provided they can produce evidence of citizenship such as birth certificates and tickets to an onward destination.Health regulations
Vaccinations are required only for passengers coming from infected areas.Customs
Personal and household effects which do not exceed $3,600,000 (EC) in value are admitted free of duty.Currency regulations
No restrictions are placed on the amount of money a person may bring into the Island. This can be changed into local currency at the banks or hotels.Main travel routes
Grenada possesses en excellent network of roads to all parts of the Island.The majority of the roads are paved or have gravel and stone surfaces and are motorable under all weather conditions. Taxis, self-drive cars, mini-buses and mokes are available. There is also a national transportation system in operation.
Miscellaneous
During the off season, in August, we have three great festivals, the Carriacou Regata and the Rainbow City Festival Carnival celebrationThe water around Carriacou and Petite Martinique is very good for snorkelling and diving. Visitors travel in yachts to Sandy Island which is about a mile off, to enjoy these water sports.
Further information on Grenada and Carriacou is available from: The Grenada Board of Tourism, P.O.B. 293, St. George's GRENADA WI, and The Manager, Carriacou Tourist Information Office, Carriacou, Grenada, WI
List of representatives abroad
BELGIUM: The Grenada Embassy, Avenue des Arts 24, Box 2, Brussels, Tel: (01) 230-6265.CANADA: The Grenada High Commission, 280 Albert Street, Suite 301, Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5GB, Tel: (613) 236-9581.
The Grenada Board of Tourism-Canada, Suite 820, 439 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G IY8, Tel: (4l6) 595-1339. Fax: (416) 595-8278
The Honorary Consul, 825 Pellerin Street, Brossard Ville, Quebec J4W 2L2.
Grenada Consulate Trade and Tourism, PO Box 352, Osgood, Ontario, KOA 2WO, Tel: (613) 826-2511.
The Honorary Consul for Winnipeg, 10 Rice Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 3N4, Tel: (204) 9474580.
Eastern Caribbean Commissioll, Place De Ville, Tower B, Suite 1701. Ottawa, Ontario.
ENGLAND: The Grenada Board of Tourism - UK, 1 Collingham Gardens, Earls Court, London SW5. Tel: (0171) 370-516 415, Fax: (0171) 370-7040 GERMANY: Grenada Tourist Office, Liegistrasse 8, 60323 Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. Tel: (49 0690 61 11 78. (49 069) 62 92 64.
USA: The Grenada Board of Tourism - USA, 820 2nd Avenue, Suite 900D, New York, New York 10017, Tel: (212) 687-9554; (800) 927-9554, Fax: (212) 573-9731.
VENEZUELA: The Grenada Embassy, Quima Marifer, Calle Faltjorge, Prodos del-este, Caracas, tel. 773385, telex (031) 27876.
We have been able to publish the present tourist information on Genada thanks to the co-operation of the Grenada Tourist Board.
