Geography
Area: 344 sq. km. (133 sq. mi.); about twice the size of
Washington, DC.
Cities: Capital--St. George's (est. pop. 33,734).
Terrain: Volcanic island with mountainous rainforest.
Climate: Tropical.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Grenadian(s).
Population (2004 est.): 100,800.
Annual growth rate (1999): 8.2%.
Ethnic groups: African descent (82%), some South Asians (East
Indians) and Europeans, trace Arawak/Carib Indian.
Christian singles note-Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, various
Protestant denominations.
Languages: English (official).
Education: Years compulsory--6. Literacy--95% of
adult population.
Health: Infant mortality rate--16.2/1,000. Life
expectancy--72 yrs.
Work force (1999, 41,017): Services/tourism--50.1%; industry--23.9%;
agriculture--13.8%; other--12.2%. Unemployment
(1999)--14%.
Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style Parliament.
Independence: February 7, 1974.
Constitution: December 19, 1975.
Branches: Executive--governor general (appointed by and
represents British monarch, head of state), prime minister (head of
government, leader of majority party), and Cabinet direct an
apolitical career civil service in the administration of the
government. Legislative--Parliament composed of 15 directly
elected members in the House of Representatives and a 13-seat Senate
appointed by the governor general on the advice of the majority party
and opposition. Judicial—magistrates’ courts, Eastern
Caribbean Supreme Court (high court and court of appeals), final
appeal to Privy Council in London.
Subdivisions: Six parishes and one dependency (Carriacou and Petit
Martinique).
Major political parties: New National Party (NNP), incumbent;
National Democratic Congress (NDC); Grenada United Labor Party (GULP).
Suffrage: Universal at 18.
Economy
GDP (2004 est., in Eastern Caribbean dollars): EC $734.33 million.
GDP growth rate (2004 est.): 4.01%.
Per capita GDP (2004): EC $9,053.
Agriculture: Products--nutmeg, mace, cocoa, bananas, other
fruits, vegetables.
Industry: Types--manufacturing, hotel/restaurant, construction.
Trade (2002): Merchandise exports--EC $57.8 million: nutmeg,
mace, cocoa, bananas, other fruits, vegetables, fish. Major markets—EU,
U.S., OECS, CARICOM countries. Merchandise imports--EC $629.8
million: food, machinery, transport, manufactured goods, fuel. Major
suppliers--U.S. (36.6%), CARICOM countries, U.K., Japan.
Total external debt outstanding. EC $729.2 million.
Exchange rate: U.S. $1=EC $2.67.
PEOPLE
Christian singles note-Most of Grenada's population is of African
descent; there is some trace of the early Arawak and Carib Indians. A
few East Indians and a small community of the descendants of early
European settlers reside in Grenada. About 50% of Grenada's population
is under the age of 30. English is the official language; only a few
people still speak French patois. A more significant reminder of
Grenada's historical link with France is the strength of the Roman
Catholic Church, to which about 60% of Grenadians belong. The Anglican
Church is the largest Protestant denomination.
