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Motto: |
Ever Conscious of God
We Aspire, and Advance as One People |
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Location: |
The most southerly of the
Windward Islands, 135 km (83.8 miles) north of Trinidad and Tobago.
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Geographic
coordinates: |
12 07 N, 61 40 W |
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History: |
Columbus landed on the island
in 1498. Grenada was settled by the French in 1650. It was alternately
ruled by the French and British until 1783 when, under the Treaty of
Versailles, the island became British. It was joined to the Windward
Islands in 1833, and was a part of the West Indies Federation from
1958-62. It gained independence on 7 February 1974. A government
established by Maurice Bishop in 1979 was toppled by an internal coup in
1983, and an interim government prepared the way for 1984 elections. |
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Elections: |
Last elections were held
on July 8, 2008
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), won 11 of the 15 seats. The
NDC leader Tillman THOMAS was sworn in as Prime Minister. He is a former
newspaper publisher. |
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Ruling Party: |
National Democratic Congress or NDC
[Tillman THOMAS] |
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Major Political Parties: |
Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Gloria
Payne BANFIELD]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Tillman THOMAS]; New
National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL |
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Economic Summary: |
Tourism is the
main source of foreign-exchange earnings, recording modest growth at an
average of 4.6% in 1997-1998.
There is a small offshore financial
sector, legislation of which was updated in 1996.
Agriculture accounted for 8.3% of GDP in
1997 and about one-sixth of employment. Nutmeg and mace are major
exports. Grenada is the world's second largest producer of these
crops after Indonesia, supplying one-quarter of world demand.
These crops have benefitted from higher prices, caused by Indonesia
production shortfalls.
There is a small manufacturing sector,
with some food processing, beverages, garments and assembly industries.
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Airport: |
Point Salines International |
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Status: |
Independent - 7 February 1974 |
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Capital: |
St. George's |
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Head of Government: |
Hon. Dr. the Hon. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister |
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Head of State: |
H.E.
Sir Daniel Williams,
Governor General |
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Area: |
345 square
kilometers (133
square miles) |
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Population: |
99,500 (mid-1997) |
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Currency: |
Eastern Caribbean Dollar |
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GDP per capita (at Current
market prices): |
EC$8,545m (1997) |
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Total Exports: |
EC$109.6m (1998) |
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Total Imports: |
EC$540m (1998) |
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Intra-Regional Exports: |
EC$27.5m (1998) |
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Intra-Regional Imports: |
EC$150.1m (1998) |
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Business Hours: |
General: 08:00-16:00 hrs Monday
to Thursday. 08:00-17:00 hrs Friday. There is a one-hour
break from 12:00-13:00 hrs. |
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National Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January);
Independence Day (07 February); Good Friday; Easter Monday; Labor Day
(01 May); Whit Monday; Corpus Christi (as decreed); Emancipation Day (04
August); Carnival (11-12 August); Thanksgiving Day (25 October);
Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day (26 December) |
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Date of CARICOM
Membership: |
1 May 1974 |
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National Anthem: |
Hail!
Grenada, land of ours,
We pledge ourselves to thee,
Heads, hearts 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. |
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Highest National Award: |
Grenada does not have a system
of national awards. Instead, the achievement of citizens in
various areas of national development is recognized each year in a grand
awards ceremony held to coincide with Independence Day. |
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Favourite Dish: |
Oil Down |
