Grenada consists of the island of Grenada itself, two smaller islands, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and several small islands which lie to the north of the main island and are a part of the Grenadines. Its size is 348.5 sq km (134.6 sq miles) and is one of the smallest countries in the world. It is known as the "Island of Spice" due to its production of nutmeg and mace crops. Other major exports include bananas, cocoa, fruit and vegetables, clothing, chocolate and fish.
Grenada has a population of 113,392 in July 2020 of which 82% identified as Black (descendants of the enslaved Africans); 13% identified as mixed ethnicities. A small percentage come from descendants from indentured workers brought to Grenada from India, predominantly from the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh between 1857 and 1885. The remaining 5% are of mixed descent, from English and French descendants.
Grenada is a Commonwealth country represented locally by a Governor-General. Executive power lies with the head of government, the Prime Minister, who is usually the leader of the largest party in Parliament.
National flower
Bougainvillia (Nyctaginaceae) is named after 18th century explorer, Admiral Louis Antoine de Bouganville. A broadleaf evergreen that also produces brightly coloured bracts or papery leaves.
History
Before the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, Grenada was inhabited by the indigenous peoples from South America, known as Caribs. Following several unsuccessful attempts by Europeans to colonise the island due to resistance from Island Caribs, French settlement and colonisation began in 1649 and continued for the next century.
On 10 February 1763, Grenada was ceded to the British under the Treaty of Paris. British rule continued until 1974 (except for a brief French takeover between 1779 and 1783). However, in March 1967, it was granted full autonomy over its internal affairs as an Associated State, and from 1958 to 1962 Grenada was part of the Federation of the West Indies, a short-lived federation of British West Indian colonies.
Independence was granted in February 1974 under the leadership of Eric Gairy, who became the first Prime Minister of Grenada of the sovereign state. The new country became a member of the Commonwealth, with Queen Elizabeth as Head of State. In March 1979, the Marxist–Leninist New Jewel Movement overthrew Gairy's government in a bloodless coup d'état and established the People's Revolutionary Government (PRG), a Marxist-Leninist party, headed by Maurice Bishop as Prime Minister. Closer relationships were built with Cuba, Nicaragua and the USSR and in particular the development of a large airstrip that could service military planes raised concerns with the USA President, Ronald Reagan.
In October 1983 the Deputy Prime Minister, Bernard Coard, backed by the Grenadian Army, led a coup against the government of Maurice Bishop and placed Bishop under house arrest. Bishop had widespread popular support and this led to a showdown on the streets between the army and the people leading to the arrest of Bishop and several top leaders, who were later executed by members of the People's Revolutionary Army. The PRA formed a military Marxist government which prompted a US led coalition with six Caribbean countries to invade Grenada in late October 1983 and remove the government. Despite UN condemnation of this invasion, the US forces withdrew in December 1983.The constitution pre-PRA was re-established and all senior leaders imprisoned. Since then, the island has returned to a parliamentary representative democracy and has remained politically stable.
Geography, Climate and Environment
Grenada is of volcanic origin, as evident in its soil, mountainous interior, and several active craters, including Lake Antoine, Grand Etang Lake and Levera Pond. Grenada's highest point is Mount St. Catherine, rising to 840 m (2,760 ft) above sea level. Grenada is home to varied ecoregions: moist forests, dry forests and xeric scrub.
In September 2004, after being hurricane-free for 49 years, the island was directly hit by Hurricane Ivan. Ivan struck as a Category 3 hurricane, resulting in 39 deaths and damage or destruction to 90% of the island's homes. On 14 July 2005, Hurricane Emily, a Category 1 hurricane at the time, struck the northern part of the island with 80-knot (150 km/ 92 mph) winds, killing one person and causing an estimated £84,360,650 worth of damage. Agriculture, and in particular the nutmeg industry, suffered serious losses, with 555,000 trees destroyed. Whilst Grenada produces 20% of the world’s nutmeg second to Indonesia producing 75%, there are still lessons to embrace for the cultivation of this crop that will allow the trees to be more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events. In 2017
Agriculture, and in particular the nutmeg industry, suffered serious losses, with 555,000 trees destroyed. Whilst Grenada produces 20% of the world’s nutmeg second to Indonesia producing 75%, there are still lessons to embrace for the cultivation of this crop that will allow the trees to be more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events. In 2017
Culture, music and carnival traditions
The music of Grenada has included the work of several major musicians, including Eddie Bullen, David Emmanuel one of the best-selling reggae performers ever, and Mighty Sparrow a calypsonian who lived mostly in Trinidad. The island is also known for jazz, most notably including Eddie Bullen, a pianist, songwriter and record producer currently residing in Canada; Kingsley Etienne, a keyboardist, while the Grenadan-American Joe Country & the Islanders have made a name in country music.
African dances brought to Grenada survive in an evolved form, as have European quadrilles and picquets. Some of the most popular recent styles of these dances include Heel-and-Toe and the Carriacou Big Drum and Quadrille dances kept alive on the island of Carriacou in a variety of events such as weddings, boat launches, tombstone feats and Maroons.
Soca, calypso, and reggae are popular music genres and are played at Grenada's annual Carnival. Over the years rap music became popular amongst Grenadian youths, and there have been numerous young rappers emerging in the island's underground rap scene. Zouk is also being slowly introduced onto the island.
An important aspect of the Grenadian culture is the tradition of storytelling, with folk tales bearing both African and French influences. The character, Anancy, a spider who is a trickster, originated in West Africa and is prevalent on other islands as well. Grenada born author Richardo Keens-Douglas has written many children's books and whilst living now in Canada continues to explore Caribbean roots and identities.
One of the Grenada Carnival events occurs throughout the Caribbean—J’ouvert Morning—but the traditions vary widely. Grenada Carnival development has been influenced by the introduction of the Jab Jab characters, which may have originated in Trinidad and Tobago and were covered in molasses, a major product of the sugar cane plantations. The character has evolved into a devil, complete with black body, red satin outfit, horns, a tail, and a whip known as the Jab Jab, with different interpretations in Grenada of revolution and reclamation than in Trinidad.
The best traditional dining of the islands can be enjoyed during the carnival and include conch fritters, Fried Bake and Saltfish and Oil Down, one-pot stew packed full of plantain, breadfruit, salted meat, chicken or fish, spices and coconut, cooked slowly over an afternoon.
