Grenada Overview

Country Profile

Grenada, which gets its name from the Spanish for pomegranate, is the southernmost of the Windward Islands, located in the Caribbean. An area of 344 square kilometers is home to a population of 102 million, most of whom are black. Residents are Catholic and English is the official language. The currency is the East Caribbean dollar, and St. Joe’s (St.Geogres) is the capital.

Grenada National Flag

The Grenada national flag is bordered in red, with seven yellow stars symbolizing the country’s seven parishes. The red represents the spirit of fraternity. Within the border, the flag is split diagonally into four triangles of yellow and green, which respectively symbolize agriculture and the sun. A nutmeg pattern is representative of the country’s specialty.

History Summary

Grenada was originally inhabited by Indians. In 1498, Christopher Columbus discovered the island, and by 1650 it was owned by the French. In 1762, it was occupied by Britain, and on February 10, 1763, under the Treaty of Paris, France transferred Grenada to the United Kingdom. In 1779 it was re-occupied by the French, but again was passed back to the British in 1785, under the Treaty of Versailles. It then became a British colony until February 7, 1974, when independence was declared.

Economy and Culture Overview

Grenada grows an abundance of tropical spices, including nutmeg, cloves, and pepper, earning it the nickname, the “spice country.” Nutmeg is not only a culinary spice but also medicinal, with high economic value. Grenada is at the forefront of global nutmeg production.