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 off 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 the communist Cuba didn't sit well with the other nations in the area. A dispute with the military Coard faction lead to Bishop's execution on October 19, 1983.

6 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.

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 14 seats, the New National Party is currently the largest party in Grenada.

Politically, Grenada is divided into six parishes, viz.:

• Saint Andrew
• Saint David
• Saint George
• Saint John
• Saint Mark
• Saint Patrick

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.

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).

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.

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.

• Communications in Grenada
• Transportation in Grenada
• Military of Grenada
• Foreign relations of Grenada

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