General Overview
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.
Demographics
About 89% of Grenada's population is of African descent. An additional 8.2% are of mixed East Indian, African, and/or Caucasian ancestry, reflecting Grenada's history of African slaves, East Indian indentured servants, and European settlers. An additional 2% of the population considers itself East Indian, which includes some descendents of the indentured servants brought to Grenada from 1857 to the 1890s, as well as immigrants arriving from Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Indians since the 1970s. A small community (less than 1% of the population) of the descendants of early European settlers resides in Grenada. About 50% of Grenada's population is under the age of 30. English is the official language; few people still speak French patois, though there has been a recent resurgence of interest in re-learning the language. A wide range of Christian denominations are present in Grenada, as well as growing number of other religions.
• Country name: Grenada
• Capital Name: Saint George's
• Population: 90,343 (July 2008 est.)
• Nationality: Grenadian(s)
• Languages: English (official), French patois
• Ethnic Groups: Black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian
Economy
Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output. Grenada has rebounded from the devastating effects of Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005), but is now saddled with the debt burden from the rebuilding process. The agricultural sector, particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation, has gradually recovered, and the tourism sector has seen substantial increases in foreign direct investment as the regional share of the tourism market increases.
• GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.108 billion (2007 est.)
• GDP - real growth rate: 3.1% (2007 est.)
• GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,500 (2007 est.)
• Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (2007 est.)
• Exports: $38 million (2006)
• Imports: $343 million (2006)
Government
Grenada is governed under a parliamentary system based on the British model; it has a governor general, a prime minister and a Cabinet, and a bicameral Parliament with an elected House of Representatives and an appointed Senate.
Citizens enjoy a wide range of civil and political rights guaranteed by the constitution. Grenada's constitution provides citizens with the right to change their government peacefully. Citizens exercise this right through periodic, free, and fair elections held on the basis of universal suffrage.
• Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 1 dependency; Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick
• Legal system: Based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
• Constitution: 19 December 1973
• Independence: 7 February 1974 (from UK)
References
Government of Grenada, Carriacou & Petit Martinique - Official Website
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - The World Factbook
Nation Master - World Data Center
Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia
The Library Congress - Country Studies
Lonely Planet - Travel Guidebook
