Grenada

On the island of the Grenada there is certainly no shortage of things to do or places to discover. From the warmth and friendliness of its people to the crystal clear waters and white sandy shoreline Grenada has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. You will certainly fall in love with this true Caribbean paradise.

Getting to Grenada is quite easy with cruise ship carriers and major airlines having direct scheduled service. Airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, Caribbean Airlines, Air Canada, British Airways, Delta and American Airlines all have flight from their major ports in North America, Europe and the Caribbean.

Once you get there getting around is quite easy. Most visitors plan ahead and use car rental agencies – either internationally operating or locally based. Making a reservation is recommended especially during peak season and around holidays. The island also offers scheduled state run bus service which is quite reliable. Another option are the so-called mini buses where you travel with other passengers, but are still flexible regarding pick up and drop off points. Also this is a great way to get around and get in contact with locals.

Because of Grenada’s location its climate is considered tropical. However due to Grenada’s mountainous topography as well as trade winds the temperature remains  pleasant with a range between 24-30°C (75-86°F) throughout the year. Like most of the other Caribbean islands Grenada experiences only two seasons – The dry season runs from January to May and the rainy season usually lasts June to December. Grenada lies on South edge of the Hurricane belt. Whilst the path of a Hurricane remains unpredictable this location decreases the likelihood for a Hurricane. The last big one hit the island in 2006.

Grenada is very heavily influenced by French and Africans settlers although the last colonial power was Great Britain. Grenada’s population consist of more than 80 percent African descent. The remaining 30% is quite mixed of Chinese, Indian and European origin. Just like many of the other Caribbean islands the cuisine of Grenada reflects the many continental influences and makes it very diverse.

The island of Grenada when discovered by Christopher Columbus in the year 1498 was originally given the name Conception, but Spanish sailors soon renamed it Granada. Because of its lush green color it then evolved into the name Grenada as we know it today. Even though European colonists easily found names for the island colonializing it was not as easy. The original inhibitors, the Carib Indians maintained control of the island for almost a century and a half until they became a colony of France.

The French maintained control of the island for almost a century before the island came under British rule. When the British took control of the island they imported large amounts of slaves from Africa. After abolition of slavery in 1834 Grenada became a Crown Colony in the year 1877. Grenada gained its independence in 1974.

Notable in the more recent history was the 1979 attempt to establish a communist government in Grenada which was ended by the then Governor General with the help of Jamaica, the United States and the Eastern Caribbean States in order to establish a democratically elected government.

The island of Grenada lies just south of the Grenadine islands and north of Trinidad and Tobago. Grenada is a tri island country with Carriacou, and Petit Martinique of the Grenadine islands.  Grenada is the largest of the islands with 133 square miles.

The island is volcanic in nature which gives it its unique mountainous topography and rich soil. The island’s only active volcano is called, “Mt. Kick ‘em  Jenny”. This is a submarine volcano which lies  north of the main land Grenada. Grenada’s second volcano lays in the central region of the island, but has not been active.