Country Profile
Also known as the “Island of Spice”, the State of Grenada which covers an area of 344 sq km, comprises 3 islands – Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique, and a number of smaller islands. It is one of the most magnificent islands in the West Indies.
Unspoiled and exotic, it astounds visitors with its wildly jagged mountain peaks, hidden coves, spice plantations, and lush verdant rainforests. Its beaches are idyllic, with white or golden sand, palm trees, and the delicate aroma of the island’s native spices. In addition to its scenery, Grenada offers culture, fun, and friendliness typical of the authentic Caribbean life – making Grenada the perfect place in which to live & work.
Grenada’s tourism sector is greatly expanding, with the island continuing to take more and more shares of the market for Caribbean tourism. Much of this expansion is due to foreign direct investment, as foreign business persons choose to invest in Grenada’s growing popularity with visitors and leisure travelers. The nation relies heavily on tourism to earn foreign currency.
KEY FACTS
- Independence: From the United Kingdom on 7th February 1974
- Government: Parliament democracy with a Prime Minister, and a constitutional monarchy with King Charles as Head of State, represented by a Governor General
- Official Language: English
- Capital: St. George’s
- Climate: Being close to the equator, you get a year-round tropical climate, with average temperatures ranging between 23 and 28 °C. Most notably it is located outside of the hurricane belt
- Economy: Has now shifted from agriculture to the provision of services. World’s second-largest producer of nutmeg. Other exports include cocoa beans, bananas, citrus fruits, fish, wheat flour, mace, cloves & cinnamon. The government of Grenada has identified 5 key sectors for investment as a priority – Agri-business & Manufacturing, Tourism & Hospitality Services, ICT Services, Energy, and Health & Wellness.
- Education: Free education for children between 5 & 16. The education system is based on that of Britain, with pre-primary, primary & secondary schools (184 schools). Tertiary institutions include T.A. Marryshow Community College and St. George University, (a world-renowned education institution offering degrees in medicine & veterinary medicine).
- Health: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique have various private and public clinics. Doctors, dentists, and optometrists are readily available. The Government of Grenada owns four hospitals – General Hospital, Princess Alice Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital and Mt. Gay Hospital. There are 3 privately owned hospitals, all of which are located in St George’s.
- Main Airport: Maurice Bishop International Airport, with non-stop international flights from Miami, New York, Atlanta, Toronto, London & Frankfurt
- Time Zone: GMT – 4 hours
- Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (ECD) pegged to the US Dollar at 2.7 for the last 40 years
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