46 Facts About Grenada

Grenada is an island country in the Caribbean Sea, at the southern end of the Grenadines island chain.

It covers an area of 344 square kilometres.

Its capital and largest city is St. George's.

Grenada's official language is English.

Its official currency is the East Caribbean dollar (XCD).

It shares no land borders with any other country.

Grenada, also known as the "Spice Isle," is a Caribbean country made up of a main island, Grenada, and smaller surrounding islands.

Grenada gained independence from the United Kingdom on February 7, 1974.

Hurricane Ivan destroyed or damaged over 90% of Grenada's homes in September 2004; the event was a disaster for the island nation.

Following the French, the British took over control of the island. The British recognised the island's potential and worked hard to establish sugar plantations there.

Grenada is known as the "Island of Spice" because it grows nutmeg and mace, among other spices.

Grenada was a member of the West Indian Federation from 1958 to 1962.

Grenada has a jumper's hill. The hill got its name when the Caribs (the island's first inhabitants) were pursued by the French, who were attempting to take control of the island. The Caribs had reached the top of the hill and were trapped. They eventually jumped off the cliff and died.

The name Grenada is most likely derived from the Spanish city of Granada, which means "pomegranate."

Christopher Columbus named the island "Concepcion" in 1498.

Grenada is an island nation made up of six other islands.

Grenada's national bird is the Grenada dove, a critically endangered species.

Despite being on the southern edge of the Grenadines, where hurricanes usually pass through, Grenada has only been hit by three hurricanes in the last 50 years.

Would you believe the island nation's national dish is called "oildown?" Coconut milk is used to cook the meal until it is completely absorbed.

The world's first underwater sculpture park is located in Grenada. The sculptures are made of concrete and rebar and are placed naturally so that they do not harm the natural reef or the lives of its inhabitants.

Grenada's people are known as Grenadians.

The Zika virus has also infected people in Grenada. In May 2016, a case of an affected individual was reported in Grenada.

Grenada also has the Caribbean's oldest operational water-powered distillery, River Antoine Rum Distillery.

For more than a century after Christopher Columbus' arrival, the island remained uncolonized.

Grenada's first international airport was built in 1985.

Grenadian schools teach British spelling.

Grenada is one of the Western Hemisphere's smallest independent countries.

Cocoa tea, made from local cocoa and spices, is a popular breakfast drink on the island.

Salutations are an important part of daily etiquette in Grenada.

Grenada's main trading partner is the United States of America. The vast majority of Grenada's goods are imported from the United States.

Due to a limited military budget, Grenadian law enforcement officers receive military training in other countries.

The small island country's economy is also supported by lucrative tuna fish catching, which is done by its people using only 85 boats. Every year, they catch tuna worth millions of dollars. However, the profitable business is not without problems, as the boats are sometimes looted by pirates or other unknown people from across the sea.

Grenada is also home to the world's three types of cocoa. The House of Chocolates in Grenada is a place where you can sample various types of cocoa. It is located in St. George, the capital city.

Cuba and the United Kingdom are both actively involved in providing scholarships and exchange programmes for Grenada students.

A ship sailing from the East Indies to England left some nutmeg trees on the island, kicking off Grenada's nutmeg industry. Currently, the country provides nearly 40% of the world's annual crop.

A Grenadian living in the United States donated 411 pairs of shoes to the people of Grenada. He took the initiative to assist people in his home country and to encourage others to do the same. A hairstylist from Mt. Moritz made the crucial move.

Leatherback turtles, the largest living species of reptile dating back to the dinosaur era, can be seen on Grenada's beaches. Grenada's largest Leatherback nesting population can be found at Levera Beach. Only 35,000 female Leatherback turtles remain in the world. They are also critically endangered. Only one in every 1,000 hatchlings survives to adulthood.

In April of 2016, a group of five men were apprehended with compressed marijuana worth $665,000. All of the men have been sentenced to prison for varying lengths of time. When the boat carrying the illegal drug stopped in St. Vincent, it was intercepted.

Grenada is also the name of a city in the Mississippi state of Grenada.

Grenada's "Magazine Beach" is a popular tourist destination.

Grenada is an island nation that is almost entirely covered in forests, but it is devoid of venomous snakes.

Mount Saint Catherine (840 m) is Grenada's highest point.

The island country has a 121-kilometer coastline.

Grand Etang Lake in Grenada is said to be bottomless because no one has been able to find its bottom using SONAR. The lake was actually formed over a dormant volcano, and it has since become a popular tourist attraction.

Carnival is the island nation's most important holiday. It is now held in the second week of August.

The United States does not have an embassy in Grenada.