| U.S. Department of State Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs August 2004 Background Note: Grenada Flag of Grenada is a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, 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. PROFILE OFFICIAL NAME: Grenada Geography Area: 344 sq. km. (133 sq. mi.); about twice the size of Washington, DC. Cities: CapitalSt. George's (est. pop. 33,734). Terrain: Volcanic island with mountainous rainforest. Climate: Tropical. People Nationality: Noun and adjectiveGrenadian(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. Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, various Protestant denominations. Languages: English (official). Education: Years compulsory6. Literacy95% of adult population. Health: Infant mortality rate16.2/1,000. Life expectancy72 yrs. Work force (1999, 41,017): Services/tourism50.1%; industry23.9%; agriculture13.8%; other12.2%. Unemployment (1999)14%. Government Type: Constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style Parliament. Independence: February 7, 1974. Constitution: December 19, 1975. Branches: Executivegovernor 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. LegislativeParliament 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: Productsnutmeg, mace, cocoa, bananas, other fruits, vegetables. Industry: Typesmanufacturing, hotel/restaurant, construction. Trade (2002): Merchandise exportsEC $57.8 million: nutmeg, mace, cocoa, bananas, other fruits, vegetables, fish. Major markets EU, U.S., OECS, CARICOM countries. Merchandise importsEC $629.8 million: food, machinery, transport, manufactured goods, fuel. Major suppliersU.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 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. HISTORY Before the arrival of Europeans, Carib Indians who had driven the more peaceful Arawaks from the island inhabited Grenada. Columbus landed on Grenada in 1498 during his third voyage to the new world. He named the island "Concepcion." The origin of the name "Grenada" is obscure, but it is likely that Spanish sailors renamed the island for the city of Granada. By the beginning of the 18th century, the name "Grenada," or "la Grenade" in French, was in common use. Partly because of the Caribs, Grenada remained un-colonized for more than 100 years after its discovery; early English efforts to settle the island were unsuccessful. In 1650, a French company founded by Cardinal Richelieu purchased Grenada from the English and established a small settlement. After several skirmishes with the Caribs, the French brought in reinforcements from Martinique and defeated the Caribs, the last of whom leaped into the sea rather than surrender. The island remained under French control until its capture by the British in 1762, during the Seven Years' War. The Treaty of Paris formally ceded Grenada to Great Britain in 1763. Although the French regained control in 1779, the Treaty of Versailles restored the island to Britain in 1783. Although Britain was hard-pressed to overcome a pro-French revolt in 1795, Grenada remained British for the remainder of the colonial period. During the 18th century, Grenada's economy underwent an important transition. Like much of the rest of the West Indies it was originally settled to cultivate sugar, which was grown on estates using slave labor. But natural disasters paved the way for the introduction of other crops. In 1782, Sir Joseph Banks, the botanical adviser to King George III, introduced nutmeg to Grenada. The island's soil was ideal for growing the spice, and because Grenada was a closer source of spices for Europe than the Dutch East Indies the island assumed a new importance to European traders. The collapse of the sugar estates and the introduction of nutmeg and cocoa encouraged the development of smaller landholdings, and the island developed a land-owning yeoman farmer class. Slavery was outlawed in 1834. In 1833, Grenada became part of the British Windward Islands Administration. The governor of the Windward Islands administered the island for the rest of the colonial period. In 1958, the Windward Islands Administration was dissolved, and Grenada joined the Federation of the West Indies. After that federation collapsed in 1962, the British Government tried to form a small federation out of its remaining dependencies in the Eastern Caribbean. Following the failure of this second effort, the British and the islands developed the concept of associated statehood. Under the Associated Statehood Act of 1967, Grenada was granted full autonomy over its internal affairs in March 1967. Full independence was granted on February 7, 1974. After obtaining independence, Grenada adopted a modified Westminster parliamentary system based on the British model, with a governor general appointed by and representing the British monarch (head of state) and a prime minister who is both leader of the majority party and the head of government. Sir Eric Gairy was Grenada's first Prime Minister. On March 13, 1979, the New Joint Endeavor for Welfare, Education, and Liberation Movement (New Jewel MovementNJM), ousted Gairy in a nearly bloodless coup and established a People's Revolutionary Government (PRG) headed by Maurice Bishop, who became Prime Minister. His Marxist-Leninist government established close ties with Cuba, the Soviet Union, and other communist bloc countries. In October 1983, a power struggle within the government resulted in the arrest and subsequent murder of Bishop and several members of his Cabinet by elements of the People's Revolutionary Army (PRA). Following a breakdown in civil order, a U.S.-Caribbean force landed on Grenada on October 25, 1983 in response to an appeal from the Governor General and to a request for assistance from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. U.S. citizens were evacuated, and order was restored. An advisory council named by the Governor General administered the country until general elections were held in December 1984. The New National Party (NNP) led by Herbert Blaize won 14 out of 15 seats in free and fair elections and formed a democratic government. Grenada's constitution had been suspended in 1979 by the PRG, but it was restored after the 1984 elections. The NNP continued in power until 1989 but with a reduced majority. Five NNP parliamentary members, including two Cabinet ministers, left the party in 1986-87 and formed the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which became the official opposition. In August 1989, Prime Minister Blaize broke with the NNP to form another new party, The National Party (TNP), from the ranks of the NNP. This split in the NNP resulted in the formation of a minority government until constitutionally scheduled elections in March 1990. Prime Minister Blaize died in December 1989 and was succeeded as Prime Minister by Ben Jones until after the elections. The NDC emerged from the 1990 elections as the strongest party, winning seven of the 15 available seats. Nicholas Brathwaite added two TNP members and one member of the Grenada United Labor Party (GULP) to create a 10-seat majority coalition. The Governor General appointed him to be Prime Minister. In parliamentary elections on June 20, 1995, the NNP won eight seats and formed a government headed by Keith Mitchell. The NNP maintained and affirmed its hold on power when it took all 15 parliamentary seats in the January 1999 elections. General elections were held in November 2003; the NNP won 8 of the 15 seats, holding on to power with a much-reduced majority. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by Tillman Thomas won 7 seats and is now the official opposition. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS Grenada is governed under a parliamentary system based on the British model; it has a governor general, a prime minister and a Cabinet, and a bicameral Parliament with an elected House of Representatives and an appointed Senate. Citizens enjoy a wide range of civil and political rights guaranteed by the constitution. Grenada's constitution provides citizens with the right to change their government peacefully. Citizens exercise this right through periodic, free, and fair elections held on the basis of universal suffrage. The political parties in Grenada are the New National Party (NNP), which remains moderate; the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which is now made up of some members of the NJM and the original NDC; the People s Labor Movement (PLM), which is a combination of members of the original NDC and the Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement (MBPM); and the Grenada United Labor Party (GULP). TNP and MBPM no longer exist. The 800 members of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), which includes an 80-member paramilitary special services unit (SSU) and a 30-member coast guard, maintain security in Grenada. The U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard provide periodic training and material support for the SSU and the coast guard. Principal Government Officials Head of StateQueen Elizabeth II Governor GeneralSir Daniel C. Williams, GCMG, Q.C. Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Mobilization and InformationDr. Keith C. Mitchell Minister of Foreign AffairsElvin Nimrod Ambassador to the United States and OASDenis G. Antoine Ambassador to the United NationsDr. Lamuel Stanislaus Grenada maintains an embassy in the United States at 1701 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel: 202-265-2561). ECONOMY The economy of Grenada is based upon agricultural production (nutmeg, mace, and cocoa) and tourism. Agriculture accounts for over half of merchandise exports, and a large portion of the population is employed directly or indirectly in agriculture. Recently the performance of the agricultural sector has not been good. Grenada's banana exports declined markedly in volume and quality in 1996. The country is no longer a banana exporter. Tourism remains the key earner of foreign exchange. Grenada is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) issues a common currency for all members of the ECCU. The ECCB also manages monetary policy, and regulates and supervises commercial banking activities in its member countries. Grenada is also a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). Most goods can be imported into Grenada under open general license, but some goods require specific licenses. Goods that are produced in the Eastern Caribbean receive additional protection; in May 1991, the CARICOM common external tariff (CET) was implemented. The CET aims to facilitate economic growth through intra-regional trade by offering duty-free trade among CARICOM members and duties on goods imported from outside CARICOM. FOREIGN RELATIONS The United States, Venezuela, and Taiwan have embassies in Grenada. The United Kingdom is represented by a resident commissioner (as opposed to the governor general, who represents the British monarch). Grenada has been recognized by most members of the United Nations and maintains diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom, the United States, Venezuela, and Canada. Grenada is a member of the Caribbean Development Bank, CARICOM, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and the Commonwealth of Nations. It joined the United Nations in 1974, and the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1975. Grenada also is a member of the Eastern Caribbean's Regional Security System (RSS). As a member of CARICOM, Grenada strongly backed efforts in 1994 by the United States to implement UN Security Council Resolution 940, designed to facilitate the departure of Haiti's de facto authorities from power. Grenada subsequently contributed personnel to the multinational force, which restored the democratically elected government of Haiti in October 1994. Prime Minister Mitchell joined President Clinton in May 1997 for a meeting with 14 other Caribbean leaders during the first-ever U.S.-regional summit in Bridgetown, Barbados. The summit strengthened the basis for regionalcooperation on justice and counter-narcotics issues, finance and development, and trade. U.S.-GRENADIAN RELATIONS The U.S. Government established an Embassy in Grenada in November 1983. The U.S. Ambassador to Grenada is resident in Bridgetown, Barbados. The Embassy in Grenada is staffed by a Charge d'Affaires who reports to the Ambassador in Bridgetown. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has played a major role in Grenada's development, providing more than $120 million in economic assistance from 1984 to 1993. U.S. assistance is primarily channeled through multilateral agencies such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and through the newly opened USAID satellite office in Bridgetown, Barbados. About 10 Peace Corps volunteers in Grenada teach remedial reading, English language skills, and vocational training. Grenada also is a beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative. In addition, Grenada receives counter-narcotics assistance from the U.S. and benefits from U.S. military exercise-related construction and humanitarian civic action projects. Grenada and the U.S. cooperate closely in fighting narcotics smuggling and other forms of transnational crime. In 1995, the U.S. and Grenada signed a maritime law enforcement treaty. In 1996, they signed a mutual legal assistance treaty and an extradition treaty as well as an over-flight/ order-to-land amendment to the maritime law enforcement treaty. Some U.S. military training is given to Grenadian security and defense forces. Grenada continues to be a popular destination for Americans. Of the 147,286 stayover visitors in 2003, 35,191 were U.S. citizens. It is estimated that some 2,600 Americans reside in the country, plus the 800 U.S. medical students who study at the St. George's University School of Medicine. (Those students are not counted as residents for statistical purposes.) Principal U.S. Embassy Officials (all officials except the Charge located at the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados) Ambassador Mary E. Kramer Deputy Chief of Mission Meg Gilroy Charge d'Affaires Jeanette Davis Political/Economic OfficerPaul Belmont Consular OfficerBob Fretz Defense AttachéCommander Matthew B. Crawley (resident in Caracas) Regional Labor Attaché Alfred Anzaldua Economic-Commercial Affairs John Ashworth Public Affairs OfficerKathleen Boyle Peace Corps DirectorEarl Phillips (resident in St. Lucia) The U.S. Embassy in Grenada is located on the Lance-aux-Epines Main Road, St. George's, Grenada; tel: 1-(473)-444-1173/4/5/6/7; fax: 1-(473)-444-4820, e-mail: usemb_gd@caribsurf.com The mailing address is P.O. Box 54, St. George's, Grenada, West Indies. Other Contact Information U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration Trade Information Center 14th and Constitution, NW Washington, DC 20230 Tel: 1-800-USA-TRADE Caribbean/Latin America Action 1818 N Street, NW; Suite 310 Washington, DC 20036 Tel: 202-466-7464 Fax: 202-822-0075 TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements. Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include information on entry requirements, currency regulations, health conditions, areas of instability, crime and security, political disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas which pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Free copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system: 202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page: http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad are on the internet and hard copies can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250. Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays and holidays, call 202-647-4000. The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department of State's single, centralized public contact center for U.S. passport information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778). Customer service representatives and operators for TDD/TTY are available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays. Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information for International Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800. Information on travel conditions, visa requirements, currency and customs regulations, legal holidays, and other items of interest to travelers also may be obtained before your departure from a country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for this country, see "Principal Government Officials" listing in this publication). U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register at the Consular section of the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a country by filling out a short form and sending in a copy of their passports. This may help family members contact you in case of an emergency. Further Electronic Information Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://state.gov, the Department of State web site provides timely, global access to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background Notes; daily press briefings; Country Commercial Guides; directories of key officers of Foreign Service posts and more. National Trade Data Bank (NTDB). Operated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the NTDB contains a wealth of trade-related information. It is available on the Internet (www.stat-usa.gov) and on CD-ROM. Call the NTDB Help-Line at (202) 482-1986 for more information. *********************************************************** See http://www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/ for all Background notes ************************************************************ To change your subscription, go to http://www.state.gov/www/listservs_cms.html | |
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