Grenada, affectionately known as "the Spice Isle" of the Caribbean is an island nation consisting of three larger islands: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique, and includes also, the southern Grenadines; Rhonde Island, Caille Island, Diamond Island, Large Island, Saline Island and Frigate Island. Grenada is the largest of the these, with a width of twelve miles (18 km) and a length of twenty-one miles (34 km).  Its estimated population is 110,000. Grenada's capital is St. George's.

     Facts:  There are more spices grown on Grenada per hectare than in any other place on the planet.  St. Georges, is perhaps the most scenic in all the Caribbean.   Grenada has a bit of everything - beaches, rainforests, mountains, a fascinating history and unaffectedly friendly people.  It is famous mostly for nutmeg and the 1983 US invasion.

GEOGRAPHY

     Grenada is located in the southeastern part of the sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago, and south of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

     Grenada is an almond-shaped, beach-rimmed gem of a place with 75 miles of coastline surrounding a lush interior filled with tropical rainforest. Most of the tourist infrastructure is on the southwest corner of the island, which – conveniently – is where you’ll also find the airport and some of the nicest beaches.

     The islands are of volcanic origin, and Grenada's inlands are slightly mountainous (the highest of which is Mount St. Catherine at 804 meters (2757 ft), with several small rivers flowing into the sea. The climate is tropical: hot and humid, and Grenada occasionally suffers from hurricanes. The most recent storm to hit was Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.

THE ISLANDS

     St. George’s, the largest town, has one of the most picturesque waterfronts in all of the Caribbean. Stone buildings, forts from a forgotten time and houses of all colors meld into a hilly mix of urban aesthetics. Friendly, welcoming locals go about their lives and are happy to include you in the process. Carriacou (pronounced as in carrikoo) is a step back in time. With a cadence a notch or two slower then Grenada Island, this petite isle is a relaxed affair where endearing locals and an eclectic village life is added to sublime scenery. And if that sounds too busy, head over to Petit Martinique (petty martnik)where even less happens – and the locals like it that way.

 

PEOPLE

      Its people are of mixed origins, though primarily of African descent. Approximately 27,000 live in St. Georges.  Religions: Roman Catholic, various Protestant denominations, Islam, Rastafarianism.

HISTORY
     Before the arrival of Europeans, Carib Indians had driven the more peaceful Arawaks from the island. Columbus landed on Grenada in 1498 during his third voyage to the new world. He named the island "Concepcion." The origin of the name "Grenada" is obscure, but it is likely that Spanish sailors renamed the island for the city of Granada, Spain. Partly because of the Caribs, Grenada remained un-colonized for more than 100 years after its discovery; early English efforts to settle the island were unsuccessful. In 1650, a French company founded by Cardinal Richelieu purchased Grenada from the English and established a small settlement. After several skirmishes with the Caribs, the French brought in reinforcements from Martinique and defeated the Caribs.
The island remained under French control until its capture by the British in 1762, during the Seven Years' War. The Treaty of Paris formally ceded Grenada to Great Britain in 1763. Although the French regained control in 1779, the Treaty of Versailles restored the island to Britain in 1783. Britain overcame a pro-French revolt in 1795, and Grenada remained British for the remainder of the colonial period.
     Queen Elizabeth II is still the monarch of the island, although it has been independent from the UK since 1974. The government after independence had been very authoritative and there was a coup in 1979. The Prime Minister (Maurice Bishop) after the coup was initially very popular, but he refused to call elections and had Marxist leanings and close ties to Cuba that made Grenada’s neighbors nervous. There was a power struggle, another coup by a Pro-Soviet/Cuba group and he and others were executed in 1983 at Fort George. Six days after the coup the USA invaded saying they were protecting US citizens, but the general view is that they were really more concerned about an anti-USA, pro-communist triangle forming between Cuba, Nicaragua and Grenada at the time. Either way, things seem to have been much calmer since. Other than the thumping from hurricanes particularly Ivan in 2004, there are still signs of rebuilding. The storms were large and talking to the people it seems that the devastation was great, with even the roofs of the supposed safe areas (churches) being ripped off.

ECONOMY
     In the 18th century, Grenada's economy underwent an important transition. Like much of the rest of the West Indies it was originally settled to cultivate sugar, which was grown on estates using slave labor. But natural disasters paved the way for the introduction of other crops. In 1782, nutmeg was introduced to Grenada. The island's soil was ideal for growing the spice, and because Grenada was a closer source of spices for Europe than the Dutch East Indies the island assumed a new importance to European traders. Today they grow one-third of the world's nutmeg. Other products are cocoa, bananas, other fruits, vegetables, mace, and fish. Services: Tourism and education.  Today, Grenada is expanding its economic base in the tourism and light manufacturing sectors.

TOURISM:. Although Cruise Ships have helped Grenada's tourist industry become more substantial in recent years, also increasing are the land-based visitors desiring a longer vacation.  Grenada is the perfect destination for fishing, sailing and hiking or biking through the lush, mountainous interior; with fabulous beaches for thrilling diving experiences. There are many quiet inns and hideaways and lovely cottages and hotels scattered throughout the three main islands (Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique).  The newly upgraded Maurice Bishop International Airport, located on the southern tip of Grenada, accommodates commercial jets from North America and Europe, as well as smaller, inter-island carriers.

DOCKING

     With two downtown cruise terminals, and a modern duty free shopping mall, Grenada's Port of St. George's is poised to become a key port on your Caribbean itinerary.

                     

     New waterfront pier near Esplanade                                            New waterfront cruise terminal

      

      Opened in November 2004, the Melville Street Cruise Terminal is located on the waterfront of Grenada's capital city of St. George's.  Passengers disembarking at the Melville Street Cruise Terminal exit directly through the newly opened Esplanade Shopping Mall and out to downtown St. George's, while passengers disembarking at the Inner  Harbour exit onto the picturesque Carenage waterfront, with its traditional architecture, shops and restaurants.  The Port of St. George's in Grenada can accommodate the largest cruise ships, with up to two vessels berthed at the Melville Street Cruise Terminal, one vessel berthed at the north end of the main quay and four anchored in the outer harbour, from where passengers can be brought ashore in tenders.

     With passenger convenience in mind, the Melville Street Cruise Terminal provides excellent bus and taxi facilities for an efficient transfer of passengers to waiting tours. There is also a dedicated water-taxi jetty for easy transfer of passenger to waiting water taxis.        

 

                                      Passengers are usually tendered ashore when docked in inner harbor at Carenage.

TIME ZONE
     During winter, Grenada is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.  During Daylight Savings Time, Grenada is on Eastern Standard Time. Be sure to follow the ship's time while in port as it may not follow the local time..

 CURRENCY
     The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$ or XCD) - EC$2.70 = U.S. $1.  A growing number of 24-hour ATMs all over Grenada dispense Eastern Caribbean dollars. Most hotels, shops and restaurants will accept US dollars, but you’ll get a better exchange rate by changing to Eastern Caribbean dollars at a bank and using local currency. Major credit cards are accepted by most hotels, top-end restaurants, dive shops and car-rental agencies. Be clear about whether prices are being quoted in Eastern Caribbean or US dollars, particularly with taxi drivers.

     An 8% tax and 10% service charge is added to many hotel and restaurant bills. If no service charge is added at restaurants, a 10% tip is generally expected. Prices quoted in this chapter do not include the 18% tax and charge.

DEPARTURE TAX
     Persons 13 years of age and older from some countries are required to pay EC $50 (US $20 or £14). Departure tax for persons from 5 to 12 years of age is EC $25 (US $10 or £7). Children under 5 years are exempt.

BUSINESS HOURS
     Banking hours in Grenada are usually Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.    Shops are generally open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Supermarkets and shopping centers are usually open from 9:00 am. – 7 pm. And there are one or two that are open on Sundays. Craft and souvenir shops will open on a Sunday or Bank Holiday, especially if cruise ships are in port.  Government offices are generally open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, but may be closed from 12:00 to 1:00 pm for lunch.