Grenada

Introduction to Grenada

Grenada is an island nation in the southeastern Caribbean Sea including the southern Grenadines. Grenada is the second-smallest independent country in the Western Hemisphere (after Saint Kitts and Nevis). It is located north of Trinidad and Tobago, and south of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The recorded history of Grenada begins in 1498, when Christopher Columbus first sighted the island and named it Conception. At the time of settlement, the island was occupied either by Island Caribs (Kalinago) or by their mainland cousins, the Kariña. After a failed English settlement attempt, the French 'purchased' the island from the indigenous people in 1650, which resulted in warfare with the Caribs of Dominica and St. Vincent who feared losing their trade routes to the mainland. The island was ceded to the United Kingdom in 1763 by the Treaty of Paris. Grenada was made a Crown Colony in 1877.

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 with extremely rich soil. Grenada's interior is very mountainous with Mount St. Catherine being the highest at 2,756 feet. Several small rivers with beautiful waterfalls flow into the sea from these mountains. The climate is tropical: hot and humid in the rainy season and cooled by the trade winds in the dry season. Grenada being on the southern edge of the hurricane belt has suffered only 2 hurricanes in 50 years. The most recent storms to hit have been Hurricane Ivan on September 7, 2004 and Hurricane Emily on July 14, 2005.

Cultural notes about Grenada

Although French influence on culture is much less than in other Caribbean islands, surnames and place names in French remain and some French architecture has survived from the 1700s. Island culture is heavily influenced by the African roots of most of the Grenadians but Indian influence is also seen with Dhal Puree, Goat and Chicken curry in the cuisine. Other local dishes are also a rich part of their heritage and culture like the national dish of Oil Down, which is a combination of Breadfruit, coconut milk, tumeric (misnamed saffron), and anything else (strong flavoured protein eg saltfish, smoked herring pickled pork or just plain chicken) that you can fit in the pot best cooked in a large cast-iron pot with a banana leaf to cover it. Other dishes are Rice and peas; and Blugoe (a variety of banana) green bananas and Saltfish; and the annual Titiri (shoals of baby fish) which when caught make excellent fishcakes or goes well curried with rice; dumplins and (gungo)peas . And of course the WATERS - fish stews with dumplins Grenada has plenty of fresh fish. Inland hunting of Armadillo and Possum takes place during hunting season which is a sport most young men do in villages throughout Grenada. Private Johnson Beharry holder of the Victoria Cross comes from Diegopiece which is one such village. Music plays a huge part in Grenadian culture with the annual Carnival competition generating new soca and calypso material in August. The rest of the time Soca, calypso, and Reggae are the main stay with the minibuses competing for the loudest and unfortunately sometimes fastest bus service!

Official Canadian government advisories for travelling to, in and around Grenada

Petty crime occurs, and it increases with the approach of annual festivities, such as the Carnival in August. Ensure personal belongings and travel documents are secure at all times. Avoid unpatrolled beaches and unpopulated areas, especially after dark. Check with local authorities to determine which beaches are safe. In case of emergency, contact local police at 911 or ambulance at 444.