Grenada (gre-NAI-duh), republic (1991 population 90,691; 2004 estimated population 89,357), in the Windward Islands, West Indies; 12°07'N 61°40'W. The state includes the island of Grenada (133 sq mi/344 sq km) and the S one-third of the archipelago known as the Grenadines (gren-nuh-DEENZ). The (cap.) is St. George’s, also the main port, and commercial center.
Geography
Grenada is a volcanic, mountainous island with crater lakes.
Population
Grenada's population is 82% black, 13% mixed black and European, 5% European and East Indian, and also has a trace of Arawak Carib Amerindian.
Economy
Its economy is primarily agricultural, and cocoa, bananas, nutmeg, mace, and fruit are exported. Tourism was a developing industry, although it suffered during the political unrest of the late 1970s and early 1980s, and was ruined during the 2004 hurricane.
History
From its sighting by Christopher Columbus in 1498 until French settlement began in 1650, the Carib Indians prevented European colonization on Grenada. A point of dispute between England and France, the island became permanently British in 1783. The British imported African slaves and established sugar plantations. In 1967, Grenada became an associated state of Britain with full internal self-government. When complete independence was achieved in February 1974, Grenada became a full member of the Commonwealth of Nations. In 1979 a successful, bloodless coup established the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) under Prime Minister Maurice Bishop. Its favorable stance toward Cuba and the Soviet Union strained relations with the U.S. and other nations in the region in the early 1980s. An internal coup in October 1983 resulted in the execution of Bishop and the assumption of power by the army. That same month, the U.S. invaded and occupied Grenada under the rationale of protecting U.S. students studying at the St. George’s University School of Medicine. A general election held in December 1984 reestablished democratic government. Since then, financial aid from the U.S. and Europe had helped boost tourism, however in September 2004, a hurricane devasted the entire island, sweeping away 95% of the islands infrastructure, and drastically effecting the entire economy and Grenadian way of life.
Government
The chief of state is Queen Elizabeth II. She is represented by Governor General Daniel Williams. The head of government is Prime Minister Keith Mitchell.
