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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. Grenada was
seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the
island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which
quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free
elections were reinstituted the following year.
History
The Arawaks or Taino, an Amerindian tribe from the Amazon basin first settled
Grenada in about the 1st Century A. D. The more war like Caribs, who originated
in what is now central Brazil, over ran the more peaceful Arawaks and dominated
the island until 150 years after Christopher Columbus first named the island
Concepción in 1498. British merchants attempted to settle in1609, but were
forced to leave by the Caribs . It was not until 1650 when the French governor
of Martinique purchased the island from a French company, that the first
european a settlement was established at St. George's. In 1672 it became the
property of the French crown till captured by the British in 1762 and formally
ceded to the British at the Treaty of Paris in 1763. The French re captured the
Grenada in 1779 and it was restored to the British in 1783 under the Treaty of
Versailles. The abomination that was slavery started in earnest in the late 18th
century The number of Africans landed alive as slaves on the shores of the
western Atlantic ocean was between 10 and 15 million. They were shipped from
Africa in appalling conditions to work in the plantations and factories of the
West Indies and the New World. A rebellion against British rule was quelled in
1796 and the emancipation of the slaves took place in 1833. From 1885 till 1958,
Grenada was part of the British Windward Islands. It then joined the Federation
of the West Indies till ending in 1962. On March 3rd 1967 it became a self
governing state, and gained full independence on February 7th 1974. The first
Prime Minister was Eric Gairy, leader of the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP).
The New Jewel Movement (NJM) was a coalition party that opposed Gairy and had a
good deal of success in the 1976 Parliamentary elections.On March 13th 1979 The
New Jewel Movement staged a bloodless coup d' état and forme the People's
Revolutionary Government under the leadership of Maurice Bishop. The western
world was ill at ease with the new administration due to their socialist stance.
In 1983 Bishop was over thrown and killed leading to a US led invasion which
handed power over to the Governor General, Sir Paul Scoon. General elections
were held in 1984 and won by the New National Party led by Herbert Blaize.
Population
In 1997, the population of Grenada was estimated at 96,000, with 44% of those
persons residing in the rural and agricultural regions. Annual population growth
rate and average population density at this time were 1.8% and 107 persons per
sq. km., respectively. The population for 2005 is 89,258 (July 2005 est.)
Economy
Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, especially
since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Strong performances
in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of an offshore
financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output. Economic
progresses in fiscal reforms and prudent macroeconomic management have boosted
annual growth to 5%-6% in 1998-99; the increase in economic activity has been
led by construction and trade. Tourist facilities are being expanded; tourism is
the leading foreign exchange earner. Major short-term concerns are the rising
fiscal deficit and the deterioration in the external account balance. Grenada
shares a common central bank and a common currency (the East Caribbean Dollar)
with seven other members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Grenada is sometimes called spice island. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace, and
nutmeg are important exports. There is a nutmeg on the nation's flag.
Currency
The local currency in Grenada is the Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar. The EC$ is
tied to the US dollar at EC$2.67 to one US. Change can be given in EC$ if you
pay in USD, Sterling or Euro.
USD are accepted almost everywhere on the island as well as E.C. (Eastern
Carribean). The exchange rate varies just slightly depending on where it is done
at. Hotels give you around 2.60 EC$ for US$1. Banks should be 2.67 but they
charge a stamp fee if it is by travelers check. Always ask if a price given to
you is e.c. or us, especially on cab rides or tours. Most things in stores are
priced in EC$.
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