Grenada

Grenada, the southernmost island in the Antilles archipelago, is ideally located between the eastern Caribbean Sea and the western Atlantic Ocean. It is situated around 140 kilometers north of Venezuela and Trinidad & Tobago. This island country, together with its neighboring islands, is the southern part of the Grenadines. The sister islands comprise Carriacou, Petite Martinique, Ronde Island, Caille Island, Diamond Island, Large Island, Saline Island, and Frigate Island, while the northern islands are part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The predominant portion of Grenada’s populace inhabits the principal island, with notable towns such as the capital, St. George’s, Grenville, and Gouyave. Hillsborough is the most populous village on the sister island of Carriacou.

The volcanic origin of Grenada is manifested in its fertile soil, rugged landscape, and prominent explosion craters, such as Lake Antoine, Grand Etang Lake, and Levera Pond. Mount St. Catherine, the island’s tallest peak, ascends to 840 meters above sea level, accompanied by notable peaks such as Mount Granby and South East Mountain. Multiple minor rivers, descending from these slopes, form scenic waterfalls prior to emptying into the sea. The coastline features several bays, especially along the southern shore, which is segmented into several narrow peninsulas.

The island has four unique ecoregions: Windward Islands wet forests, Leeward Islands dry forests, Windward Islands dry forests, and Windward Islands xeric scrub. In 2018, Grenada’s mean score on the Forest Landscape Integrity Index was 4.22 out of 10, placing it 131st among 172 nations worldwide. This score represents the island’s diverse and distinctive natural ecosystems, essential for biodiversity preservation.

Grenada possesses a tropical climate, marked by elevated temperatures and humidity in the dry season, with precipitation moderating conditions during the rainy season. Temperatures often fluctuate between 22 and 32 degrees Celsius and never fall below 18 degrees Celsius. The island’s position near the southern boundary of the Main Development Region for tropical cyclones results in infrequent impacts from hurricanes. In recent decades, Grenada has endured four storms making landfall. Hurricane Jane, which made landfall on September 23, 1955, with winds reaching 185 kilometers per hour, inflicted extensive damage. Recently, storm Beryl, a formidable Category 4 storm, affected Grenada on July 1, 2024, establishing the record for the earliest formation of a Category 5 hurricane in documented history. The hurricane inflicted considerable destruction, especially on the island of Carriacou, where it obliterated several vessels and seriously compromised the Carriacou Mangroves. Petit Martinique sustained significant damage, whilst the principal island of Grenada saw more restricted effects, predominantly in the windward and northern areas. Moreover, Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Emily in 2005 inflicted significant destruction and fatalities, underscoring the island’s susceptibility to tropical storms.

Tourism constitutes the cornerstone of Grenada’s economy. Traditional beach and watersports tourism is predominantly focused in the southwestern area surrounding St. George’s, the airport, and the coastline corridor. Ecotourism, emphasizing the island’s natural beauty and biodiversity, is increasingly gaining importance. Grenada features various beaches along its coastline, notably the esteemed Grand Anse Beach in St. George’s, frequently regarded as one of the finest beaches globally. The island’s several waterfalls, including Annandale, Mt. Carmel, Concord, Tufton Hall, and St. Margaret’s (sometimes referred to as Seven Sisters), are favored destinations for tourists.

Numerous festivals attract tourists to Grenada, such as the lively Carnival Spice Mas in August, the Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival in April, the Annual Budget Marine Spice Island Billfish Tournament, the Island Water World Sailing Week, and the Grenada Sailing Festival Work Boat Regatta. Maurice Bishop International Airport, the principal airport of the nation, links Grenada to several Caribbean islands, the United States, Canada, and Europe. Lauriston Airport in Carriacou also enables regional travel.

The culture of Grenada is significantly shaped by the African heritage of the majority of its population, with the nation’s extensive history of British colonial governance. Despite the diminished visibility of French influence compared to other Caribbean islands, French surnames and place names endure, and the vernacular integrates French lexicon with indigenous Creole or Patois. Grenadian cuisine exhibits a more prominent French influence, characterized by well-seasoned, spicy dishes akin to those in New Orleans. Certain French architecture from the 18th century has also endured. Influences from Indian and Carib Amerindian cultures are prominent, especially in the island’s culinary practices.

Oil down, a stew, is regarded as Grenada’s national cuisine. The term denotes a food prepared in coconut milk until fully absorbed, resulting in a small amount of coconut oil remaining in the bottom of the pot. Traditional dishes comprise a combination of salted pigtail, pig’s feet, salt beef, and chicken, accompanied with dumplings crafted from flour and ingredients like breadfruit, green banana, yam, and potatoes. Callaloo leaves are occasionally utilized to preserve steam and enhance taste.

Music is a fundamental component of Grenadian culture, with soca, calypso, kaiso, and reggae being especially prevalent. These genres are extensively shown at Grenada’s yearly Carnival. In recent years, rap music has surged in popularity among Grenadian youth, resulting in the development of a dynamic underground rap scene. Zouk music is gradually being introduced to the island.

Storytelling constitutes a significant element of Grenadian culture, with folklore reflecting both African and French traditions. The character Anancy, a trickster spider from West Africa, frequently appears in these narratives, alongside La Diablesse, an elegantly attired she-devil, and Loogaroo, a werewolf deriving from the French term “loup-garou.”