GRENADA
The spice fragrance filled land the Grenada Island prides its being a paradise of natural beauty. Lavish hues of greens of all shades in fauna interspersed with mountains, surging and tumbling rivers, water falls, crater lakes, crystal gleaming beaches and it also has arid lowlands and mangroves nearby the shores; the abundant land and marine creatures’ habitat in the tropical forest and the oceans. It is of course a holiday maker’s and water sport adventurers dream place. An enchanting wonderland indeed!
LOCATION
Grenada in Lesser Antilles within Western Hemisphere is a group of volcanic turbulent triple islands in the midst of South-East strip of Caribbean and Atlantic Sea; it is considered southern Grenadines. Just 84 miles northwards lays Trinidad and Tobago; Windward Islands are towards the southern tip. 1600 miles away in the south-east direction is Miami and just 160 miles distance separates it from Barbados. St. Vincent as well as Grenadines is situated towards the north. Its lowest depth at 0m exists in the Caribbean and the highest point is the Mount Saint Catherine at the zenith of 840 meter. The island lies 12 degree in the northern orientation of the equator.
Apart from the central island the two other significant islands namely the biggest among them all in the north east is the Carriacou with area of 33 sq.kms and 2000 acre Ronde Island with its captivating beauty and yacht docking facility on its uneven coast length; the 586 acres pyramid shaped fishing hamlet Petit Martinique about 3 miles in the east of the northern tip of Carriacou; a few smaller ones going by the name Grenadine islands. The aerial view shows these islands making a clear curve in the midst of North and South America continent. The islands are forward by an hour by Eastern Standard Time; it is lagging by four hours in terms of GMT.
All the three islands are well connected through economical ferry transportation. River flowing through the island enriches the soil and cultivation is good. The abundant teak and mahogany in the jungles is in demand for sleek furniture.
THE CAPITAL
The capital city Saint George is a U-shaped flourishing town and a major business centre. It is also an elaborate port. Its natural landscape is admirable in the back drop of red colored roof tops. The house structures are influenced by French and English style. It is situated in the south-western shore of Grenada.
Saturday market is very popular here; the local womenfolk gather in the weekly market to sell farm fresh and crisp commodities and other traditional items ranging from fruits vegetables to spices handicraft and preserved food stuff. It lures the visitors and the experience fascinates them.
CLIMATE
Grenade is a tropical land. The minimum thermal degree occurs during November and February. The temperature fluctuates with elevation. The arid season lies from January to May. It is monsoon time between June and December; September the most blazing month of the year. The showers are short and occasional. The north east trade winds tone down the climate.
As the island has tourist and locals into water sports the weather updates especially in the vicinity of Ski as well as Surfing sites is available online for all to see. This information is vital for fishermen, coastal-guards, and those connected with sea activities.
Grenade is not hurricane prone as it is situated on the perimeter of the sensitive zone; the route of the hurricane is south wards. Hurricanes are expected from June to November. It was in 1955 September that a devastating hurricane affected the island.
HISTORY
The triple voyage undertaken by European Columbus in 1498 leads him to Grenade; the original dwellers of the island the Arawak Indians were uprooted by the Caribs in the year 1300 AD. Henceforth it was their land. In 1650 the French colonized the place. In 1783 the British took it under their clutches. A few reforms laid the foundation for future development; a major resolution was to abandon slavery and create manageable moderate size farms. These farms today produce the best spice of the world. Until 1958 Grenada stayed as an independent British subject; 1967 saw it as a member of West Indies Associated States. It was not until 1974 that it was granted independence within the preview of commonwealth states. Henceforth it has seen political turmoil in the form of coup the rulers vacillating between revolutionary to military philosophy.
Carriacou was inhabited by Arawaks at the onset later South American Caribe made their abode here. They called the island ‘Kayryouacou” which in their language meant ‘land hedged by reefs’. People from European nationality later populated the island.
THE PEOPLE
Grenada population has lineage to Black Africans East Indians mulatto and Europeans in the population of 93,000. Majority about 2/3rd are Africans.
The accredited language for official work is English but English-Creole and French-Creole is widely prevalent. Half of the population is Roman Catholic; the remaining is Protestant and Anglican.
THE GOVERNMENT
The three islands within Grenada are still a part of British Commonwealth but as free country. The form of government is Constitutional monarchy with the Governor the official representative of the Queen Elizabeth II from 1996.
TRANSPORTATION
All the three airports are well maintained and laid out in concrete. The highway covers a distance of 1,127 Km. Saint George is the hub for anchor, dockyards and inlets.
TOURISM
The ever changing landscape of Grenade astonish the tourists; the lush green jungles give way to bewildering mangrove progressing into gleaming beaches totally to almost 45, being touched by amazingly ultramarine sea and dazzling coral reef. The protected wildlife sanctuaries, maintained parks, distinguished tropical rainforest cascading waterfalls make up the rest of the island. It is a Venus among all other islands; so untouched and fascinating.
The water sports activities are enticing. It comprises of scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing, cruising, and sailing. The sport paraphernalia is available for purchase and hire. Other attraction is guides whale watching tours, deep Sea fishing excursions and sea safari outings. Take a ferry leap to Carriacou Island or other islands in the vicinity.
The land guided tour includes Grand Etang National Park, stroll in the rainforest along the trails and enjoy some of the rare species of flora and fauna are visible along with not so rare species, and picnic at the 30 acre Crater Lake the Grand Etang. River Sallee Boiling Springs is popular because of its medicated water. Annadale Falls 15 m tall creates a feeling of awe with its height. The tallest water fall is Mount Carmel at 21 m. The capital prides itself with one of the outstanding beach the Grand Anse the stepping stone for diving and snorkeling and Levera Bay, a surfer’s delight! Martin Bay is in demand for snorkeling. The beaches on the southern part are isolated. La Sagesse Nature Reserve Park is safeguarded aviary area full of musical notes in the surrounding of tall trees River Lake and mangroves.
The visit to the island is incomplete if the spice farms are not explored! The spice factory at Gouyaye gives a glimpse how the spices are processed before sale. Dougaldston Estate cocoa and nutmeg are cultivated in abundance. The northern tip of St George has some enchanting fishermen’s colony. There is a museum at Carriacou with well displayed artifacts and yacht races. Corel reef and diverse marine activity makes it mysterious for the tourist who see and wonder! Some tourists believe in leisure sailing and they set out for Sugar loaf Island and Shady Island.
ECONOMY
The economy depends on spice and fruits based agriculture; fishing and tourism even though still developing as an industry boasts the economy with its contribution. The steady rise in the number of tourist is a good sign. Many foreign countries use the economical labor of this island to produce products for their country. Brewing milling and food processing are new contributors to the economy.
HOTELS
There is accommodation to suit each category of traveler; the hotels are well equipped with internet and other modern facilities. The local food specialty is lambi, calaloo, and oildown; nutmeg ice cream is well liked. The beer Carib is produced on the island.
At night the atmosphere is charged with Calypso and reggae musical notes. Disco dancing facility is available.
Tourists enjoy the shopping experience; they mostly purchase local products like jewelry, spices, leather goods, and textiles with batik painting.
Even though far away many tourists specially plan a visit here and do so repeatedly because the pearly beaches multihued underwater scene is a rare phenomena in over populated polluted globe.
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