World > North America > Grenada

Grenada

Introduction:

Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when COLUMBUS discovered the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974 making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since that time. Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004 causing severe damage.

Official name: Grenada Capital: name: Saint George's geographic coordinates: 12 03 N, 61 45 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Government type: parliamentary democracy Population: 89,971 (July 2007 est.) Languages: English (official), French patois Official Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) Current East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rates Historical East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rates Chart East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rates Currency code: XCD Area: total: 344 sq km land: 344 sq km water: 0 sq km Climate: tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds

Map of Grenada

Facts at a Glance:	Geography - People - Government - Economy - Communications - Transportation - Military - Climate - Current Time - Ranking Positions - East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rates
Notes and Commentary:	People - Economy - Government and Political Conditions - Historical Highlights - Foreign Relations - Relations with U.S.