What 23 Things To Know Before Going to Grenada Island?

The entire island of Grenada, also known as ‘Spice Isle,’ can be found in the Caribbean Sea, in the West Indies, at the southernmost island of the Lesser Antilles. This location is known as the “Southernmost Point” of the Grenadines.

Grenada is made up of several different island routes. The largest of which is the island of Grenada itself and two smaller islands named Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and a group of smaller nearby islands located to the north of the main island routes and are a part of the Gulf.

Carriacou and Petit Martinique are both located in the Gulf. It may be found in the north-northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela, and the southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, respectively.

As of July 2020, it had a population of 112,523 people with an area of 348.5 square km.

As a significant producer of nutmeg and mace, Grenada is often referred to as the “Island of Spice” or “spice isle.” The important role that the island has played throughout history as a site for the spice trade gave rise to the origin of its name. It was named after the city of St. George.

Grenada, along with several other Caribbean countries, was one of the joint hosts of the Cricket World Cup in 2007.

1) Everything You Need To Know About Grenada Island Routes

1.1) National Dish

It is generally agreed that Oil Down, a type of stew, should be given the title of National Dish.

The dish gets its name from the remains of coconut milk oil in the bottom of the pan after the meal has been boiled in coconut milk until all the milk is absorbed. At this point, just a tiny amount of coconut milk oil is left.

An early collection of recipes called for a combination of salted pigtail, pig’s feet, salt meat and poultry, dumplings prepared from flour, and food such as breadfruit, green banana, yam, and potatoes.

The first cocoa beans were transported to Grenada in 1714, which led to the introduction of chocolate. There is no doubt that Grenada produces one of the most powerful and wealthy cocoa beans in the entire world.

This can be due, in part, to the extremely fertile volcanic soil found on the island as well as to the high temperatures.

1.2) National Flag

The national flag, with a field of yellow and green, is diagonally split by a red border. In addition to the six yellow stars on the border, there is a central star in a red disc, and a nutmeg emblem is displayed at the hoist. The proportion of the flag’s width to its length is 3 to 5.

1.3) Currency

Grenada and the other seven countries that comprise the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States all use the same currency and share a central bank. This currency is known as the East Caribbean dollar.

1.4) Official Language of the Grenada Island

Grenadian Creole French is the name given to the language spoken on Grenada Island.

1.5) Capital City

Before the establishment of St. George as the capital of Grenada, the city of Fort Royal served in that position.

1.6) Government

The term “constitutional monarchy” can refer to a form of government in which the monarch serves as an unbiased head of state by the constitution, regardless of whether or not the constitution is passed into law.

This type of government structure is followed in Grenada.

1.7) History

The vast majority of Grenada’s structure results from volcanic eruptions between one and two million years ago. The construction of Grenada, especially the island’s capital, St. George’s Grenada, with its horseshoe-shaped harbor known as the Carenage, would have been caused by the activity of a great number of volcanoes whose names are unknown.

The years up until 1974 were spent under British rule. It became an Associated State on March 3, 1967, and completely controlled its internal affairs.

In addition, Grenada was a member of the Federation of the West Indies, a brief union of British colonies in the West Indian region, from 1958 through 1962.

Grand Etang Lake and Lake Antoine, two ancient volcanoes that now form crater lakes, would have also contributed to the formation of Grenada at some point in the island’s history.

In the beginning, the economy was built on sugar cane and indigo, both of which were worked by enslaved Africans.

Before the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, Grenada was occupied by native people who had their origins in South America. These people were originally from Venezuela. Christopher Columbus originally observed Grenada in 1498 during his third voyage to the Americas.

This voyage took place in the Caribbean islands. The year 1649 marked the beginning of the colonization and settlement of the island by the French, which continued throughout the following century.

This occurred after numerous failed attempts by Europeans to colonize the island due to resistance from the native Carib people who resided there. These attempts were unsuccessful.

Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada after the island nation had been hurricane-free for 49 years.

After the French easily defeated the British and took control of the island routes in 1779, they felt the need to strengthen their hold on the territory by constructing Fort Frederick, also known as Fort George. Fort George is simple to reach and is only approximately two km from the heart of St. George’s city, although it is located at the top of a relatively steep hill.

Grenada attained its independence on February 7, 1974, largely due to the efforts of Eric Gairy, who later served as the nation’s first prime minister after the island became an independent state.

1.8) Independence Day

They celebrate their national day of independence on February 7 every year.

Grenada sailing week is an event that local athletes compete in and enjoy. The island residents meet together for parades and carnivals, in which the law officers and Boy Scouts participate.

1.9) Climate

Between June and December, we experience the rainy season. It rains an adequate amount, except for the Point Salines region in the southwest. Average rainfall ranges from 60 inches in coastal districts to more than 150 inches in mountainous parts. Temperatures on the island routes are consistent, 82 degrees Fahrenheit on average.

Although Grenada is located south of the typical path of storms, the island is frequently devastated by hurricanes when they make landfall, as was the case in 1955, 1979, and 1980. The most rain falls during November. However, showers are common during all of the other months as well.

1.10) People Residing in Grenada and Population

Most of the people are black because they are the African descent. There is also a large minority of mulattoes and other mixed races. There are also small groups of East Indians whose ancestors were brought in as indentured workers to replace the enslaved people who were freed.

There are also descendants of the original French and British settlers and people who moved there more recently from North America and Europe.

Grenada has a lot of people, but its population only grew slowly in the 20th century. Even though English is the main language, older people in the villages still speak a form of patois. Almost half of the people in the country are Protestant. More than a third of the people are Roman Catholic, and there are also small but important groups of Rastafarians and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

According to the census completed in 2020, the population of Grenada is approximately 1.13 lakh. According to the Worldometer’s interpretation of the most recent data from the United Nations, it was up by 0.46% in 2020 and is 113,704 in 2022.

1.11) Geographical Area

Grenada is a nation with a few islands located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Region. It is made up of several distinct island territories. It is the portion of the Windward Islands that is located further south.

It is approximately 160 km north of the Mexico coast. The region that now makes up the tiny nation was once shaped by volcanic activity.

Most of the land is mountainous, and Mount St. Catherine’s highest point (840 m). Several rivers cut deep into its sides. The narrow coast in the south goes up to valleys, volcanic ridges, waterfalls, and a few steaming springs in the north.

Some mountains have crater basins, and one has a big crater lake called Grand Etang, embracing some of the most beautiful rainforests on the island.

1.12) Grenada = Six Parishes

a) Saint Andrew

Saint Andrew’s is the largest parish in Grenada. Although St. George’s is Grenada’s largest town, the parish’s capital and largest city is Grenville, the second-largest town on the island. You may have heard of Grenville under the name La Baye.

b) Saint David

Saint David’s Parish is the fourth largest parish in Grenada. It is in the southeast part of the island. People sometimes call St. David’s Parish “The Virgin Parish” because it serves a small area. It would be more accurate to call it a large village, but this term doesn’t justify it.

c) Saint George

One of the parishes on the island of Grenada is called Saint George, located in the southwesternmost part of the island. This parish includes St. George’s, which serves as the nation’s capital. It is often regarded as being the most beautiful capital city in the Caribbean.

d) Saint John

Grenada is home to several different parishes, and one of them is called Saint John. Its capital is located in Gouyave. Fishing is the primary source of income. In addition, Gouyave is home to Grenada’s largest nutmeg factory and old spice plantation houses that go by the name of Dougladston Estate. Spice plantations make this island very famous.

This parish in Grenada hardly sees any visitors from outside the country.

e) Saint Mark

The Grenadines are home to a parish known as St. Mark Parish. It may be found on the island’s western coast. It is the parish with the least population and the smallest amount of land on the entire island.

f) Saint Patrick

One of the Catholic parishes in Grenada, Saint Patrick, is located in the country’s northern region and covers all of it.

The parish was mostly an agricultural area during the greater part of the twentieth century. It was home to several huge estates responsible for a good proportion of Grenada’s cocoa and nutmeg production.

1.13) Education

There are several secondary schools in Grenada. Some famous schools are named below:

• Beacon High School (St. George)
• Bishop’s College (Carriacou)
• St. David’s Catholic Secondary School

1.14) Tourism Industry

Grand Anse Beach in St. George’s Grenada, around three km long and one and a half miles wide, is considered by many to be among the finest beaches in the entire world. One of the things that makes Grand Anse Beach in St George’s so popular is the opportunity to go scuba diving. Other beaches on Grenada’s coast are also beautiful.

The numerous waterfalls like Seven Sisters Waterfall in Grenada are another draw for visitors. The Annandale Waterfall is the closest to St. George’s. However, other noteworthy ones, including Mt. Carmel, Seven Sisters waterfall, and Concord, are also within easy reach from St George’s.

Seven Sisters Waterfalls is the rocky walk leading to the waterfalls providing visitors with a country life view in Grenada and the rainforest wilderness found in the highlands in and around Grand Etang Forest Reserve.

The initial part of the path is a curving path that passes through an old volcanic crater that is now home to several small farms. These farms grow nutmeg, cinnamon, sugarcane, papayas, and mangoes.

Grand Anse La Roche Bay is a secluded beach and can only be reached on foot after a journey of 0.8 km. It is an ideal place for Scuba diving. It is such a private beach near St George’s that it is unspoiled and less visited by people.

Grenada, located near Venezuela and on the dividing line between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, is home to some of the most amazing scuba diving opportunities in the surrounding area.

1.15) Levera Beach

Levera Beach is an absolute must-see for everyone who enjoys animals and the natural environment since it is Grenada’s most wild beach and is situated in the most distant portion of the island’s northeastern corner.

The beach is famous for its golden sand and the greenery that grows on it. At the same time, the harbor is renowned for the variety of brightly colored yachts parked there.

1.16) The Grenada National Museum

Archaeology and history are the primary focuses of the Grenada National Museum in St. George’s, which also serves as the headquarters of the Grenada Historical Society. Elinus Cato and Canute Caliste are two artists from Grenada who work in a primitive-type painting technique and have garnered international attention for their work.

1.17) River Antoine Rum Distillery

River Antoine rum distillery is where the eastern Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean collide, and it is an ideal location for a picnic meal. The close-by Levera National Park covers a total area of 445 acres and is home to several beaches with white sand and shallow waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

In addition to being a paradise for hikers, the region features a lake, a mangrove swamp, and a bird sanctuary. Many travelers to Grenada make a point of going to the River Antoine Rum Distillery.

The distillery is located to the north of the nation’s capital, and it features many sights dating back to the Industrial Revolution, which shook the colonial Caribbean in the middle of the 19th century.

1.18) The Grand Anse Beach

Grand Anse beach is a 3km long beach situated on the sheltered leeward southwest coast. Many fun activities can be done on the Grand Anse beach, such as water skiing, kayaking, or dive boat tour.

Every year, Grenada’s sailing communities and her neighboring islands, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, bring their wood and bamboo workboats to the beach at Grand Anse in Grenada for competitive racing, drinks, food, and music which lasts two days. This event is a typical celebration of sailing in the Caribbean islands and is known as Grenada sailing week.

December is the month to go to Grenada if you want the nicest weather. Between January and April, Grenada, like the rest of the Caribbean NAR, sees an increase in tourists.

1.19) St George’s Island Routes

The island of St George’s Beautiful Florida is a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico that stretches for 22 miles. On this undeveloped island, there are no skyscrapers anywhere you look. St. George Island, located in Florida’s Sunshine State, is renowned for having some of the state’s most beautiful and peaceful beaches. It also features a wide variety of activities suitable for tourists.

An easy atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and unspoiled natural beauty that has not been altered. The beaches are rarely crowded, which makes them ideal for family-friendly activities such as swimming, Castle building, and paddling in the emerald-green waters of the gulf, as well as fishing, shelling, and unwinding on the sugar-white sand. In addition, the emerald-green waters of the gulf are home to a variety of fish, including redfish, flounder, and red drum.

You may take a journey out to the unspoiled bay marshes on St. George Island to see some amazing creatures and take in some breathtaking views of the setting sun. You have the option of hiring a kayak, a bicycle, a scooter, or a boat to travel around the island.

1.20) Underwater Sculpture Park

As the first underwater sculpture park in the world, the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park is the location of numerous of the sculptor’s works. It is situated in the waters of the west coast of Grenada.

1.21) Grand Etang National Park

Around the Grand Etang Forest Reserve is where you’ll find the world-famous hiking and trekking destinations of Grand Etang National Park. It is home to a wide collection of flora and fauna, with a special emphasis on large bird species.

There you will find a monkey called the mona monkey that is native to the Old World and may be found in western Africa between Ghana and Cameroon. This unique monkey can also be seen on the island of Grenada.

1.22) Maurice Bishop Airport

Point Salines Airport was the last airport name, now known as Maurice Bishop International Airport. Point Salines Airport was an international airport. It may be found in the St. George’s parish. St. George’s city lies about 8 km north of the island’s airport.

You can locate the airport at Point Salines, the southern point of the island. It was named after Maurice Bishop, the Prime Minister, when the building was constructed.

1.23) Young Street

Grenada’s Young Street is ideally located close to Sendall Tunnel and can be reached by going there with a total distance of 0.15 km.

Grenada is an amazing place to visit between January and April. Grenada Island is full of exciting places, and one can have lots of fun there. Do let us know in the comments if you wish to visit Grenada once in your lifetime or your experience if you have visited recently.

Last Updated on December 18, 2023 by riyaspeaks