Grenada
Official Name: Grenada
Area: 133 Sq. Miles, 344 Sq. Km.
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth 11
Prime Minister: Keith Mitchel
Population: 94,000
Capital: St. Georges
Language: English
|  Grenada National Anthem
Hail Grenada Land of ours we pledge ourselves to thee Heads, heart and hands in unity to reach our destiny.
Ever conscious of God being proud of our heritage may we with faith and courage Aspire..build, advance as one people one family, God bless our nation.
|
The Land
The island nation of Grenada consists of Grenada Island, the
Southernmost of the Windward islands, and the islands and islets
of the Southern Grenadines, including Carriacou Island and Petit
Martinique. Volcanic in origin, the islands have few rivers and
a mountainous terrain. The climate is hot throughout the year
and rainfall is heavy. Annual precipitation on Grenada island
varies from 60 inches (153 centimetres along the coast of 150
inches (381 centimetres) or more in the mountainous interior.
The People
The great majority of Grenada's population live on Grenada
island, and about 30 percent live in and around the capital.
The Economy
Grenada's economy is based on agriculture. Cacao, nutmeg, mace,
and bananas are the chief crops. Agriculture employs about
one-third of the Grenadian work force and account for about 90
percent of domestic exports. Processing agricultural products
constitutes the main industry. There is ongoing exploration for
offshore oil and gas.
In recent years tourism has become significant. Point Salines
international Airport, opened in 1984, and improved port
facilities, roads, hotels, and other construction, have all
contributed to the growing tourist industry. It now rivals
agricultures the country's economic mainstay.
Grenada's farming is done mostly at a subsistence level and
production is insufficient to meet domestic demand. Grenada must
therefore import considerable amounts of food and various
consumer goods. It exports go mainly to Great Britain, Germany,
and the countries of the Caribbean. Imports of food, fuel,
machinery, and manufactured goods come mainly from Caribbean
countries, the United States, and Great Britain.
Government
Grenada has a parliamentary system of government based on the
British model. The British monarch, represented by a
governor-general, is the head of state. The Prime Minister is
the most powerful executive figure. There is a 15-seat elected
House of Representative and a 13-seat appointed Senate.
History
The island was inhabited by Carib Indians when discovered by
Christopher Columbus in 1498. Colonist from several European
countries, beginning with the French in 1650, settled in Grenada
in the 1600's and 1700's. They wiped out the indigenous
population and established plantations worked by slaves brought
from Africa. The British captured Grenada form the French in
1762, and it was formally ceded a year later. The French
recaptured Grenada in 1779 but again relinquished it to Great
Britain in 1783,
Grenada was governed as a unit with other Windward Island
colonies until 1967, when it gained self government as a state in
association with Great Britain.
Following independence on February 7, 1974, Grenada became the
scene of Political turmoil. Prime Minister the late Eric Gairy,
accused of abusing his power in dictatorial fashion, responded by
establishing a reactionary regime backed by a secret police unit.
Nonetheless, he was reelected in 1976.
On March 13, 1979, Maurice Bishop, head of an organization called
the New Jewel Movement, led a military over-throw of the
government, which he replaced with the radical socialistic
People's Revolutionary Government. He sought close ties with
Cuba and the Soviet bloc.
In October, 1983, Bishop was overthrown in a coup led by Vice
Minister Bernard Coard. Bishop and a number of other Grenadians
were subsequently executed, and the political situation
deteriorated. The new regime had been in place for about a week
when a force made up of troops from other Caribbean nations and
the United States invaded Grenada with the announced intention of
protecting Americans and other non-Grenadians and restoring
peace, security, and stable government to Grenada. Following
elections in 1984, Herbert Blaize became Prime Minister, holding
that office until his death in 1989.
