The three islands of Grenada are located in the Eastern Caribbean at the southern extremity of the Windward Islands, only 100 miles north of Venezuela. To the north lays St. Vincent and the Grenadines; to the south Trinidad and Tobago.
Grenada is a three island state: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. Grenada is the largest of the three, with a width of twelve miles (18 km) and a length of twenty-one miles (34 km). The total area is 133 square miles. The highest point is Mount Saint Catherine at 2,757 feet. Carriacou is much less mountainous than Grenada, with an area of 13 square miles and wonderful sandy beaches.
Average temperatures range from 24C/ 75F to 30C/ 87F, tempered by the steady and cooling trade winds. The lowest temperatures occur between November and February. Because of Grenada's remarkable topography, the island also experiences climate changes according to altitude. The driest season is between January and May. Even during the rainy season, from June to December, it rarely rains for more than an hour at a time and generally not every day.
Grenada's population numbers about 93,000, comprising citizens of African, East Indian, and European descent. The largest portion of the population, about 75%, is of African descent.
Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Agriculture is the nations next most important industry. Grenada is frequently called the 'Spice Island', as some of its exports include cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace, cocoa, and of course, the nutmeg. The economy has shifted towards tourism recently, and there are a number of resorts located throughout the island.
The tri-island state remains within the British Commonwealth as an independent nation and the Governor General represents Her Majesty the Queen. There is a 13-member Senate and a House of Representatives with a Speaker and fifteen members, each representing a constituency.
The Eastern Caribbean dollar is the currency used locally. It is linked to the US dollar. At the banks you will get EC$2.67 for US$1 cash and EC$2.68 for US$1 travellers cheques. Shops will give EC$2.60. The Euro can be changed at the local banks, as well as the British Pound. However, the exchange rate varies as the EC$ is not fixed to it. All the banks post the present exchange rate. ATM's are available at most of the local banks as well, so it is possible to withdraw money directly. The major credit and debit cards are all accepted.
A rectangle divided diagonally into gold triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven gold, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag. There is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions.
There is a general hospital in St. George's, a smaller hospital at Mirabeau on the east coast, and one in Carriacou. There is also a small private hospital in St. Paul's with clinics and doctors available. House-calls can be made.
Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique are in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and four hours behind GMT.
A valid passport and return or onward ticket is required for all visitors. However, proof of citizenship bearing a photograph is acceptable from British, Canadian and US citizens. Please note however that as mandated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, all US travellers must provide a passport to enter or re-enter the US from both vacation and business travel.
A visa is not required from citizens of the US, Canada, UK, British Commonwealth, most Caribbean countries, most European countries, South Korea, and Japan. Please refer to the government website for the complete lists of persons requiring visas and persons exempt from visas.
Duty Free Allowances - Personal items, one quart in total wines and spirits, half-pound tobacco or 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes. No restrictions on the amount of money that can be brought in. Restricted items are fruits, vegetables, meat, soil, illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition. (Information from Grenada General Consulate Canada).
Voltage is 220 volts - 50 cycles. Appliances rated at 110 volts (US standard) normally work satisfactorily with a transformer. Most hotels have standard British three prong plugs, and provide dual voltage shaver units. Bring an adapter plug for small appliances.
It is safe to drink the water here, which is chlorinated.
