Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when Christopher COLUMBUS discovered the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974 making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since that time. Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004 causing severe damage.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12 07 N, 61 40 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 344 sq km
country comparison to the world: 207
land: 344 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
121 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
volcanic in origin with central mountains
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 8.82%
permanent crops: 20.59%
other: 70.59% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.19 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Grenadian(s)
adjective: Grenadian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English (official), French patois
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
109,590 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 24.7% (male 13,962/female 13,101)
15-24 years: 17.1% (male 9,310/female 9,474)
25-54 years: 40.2% (male 22,624/female 21,421)
55-64 years: 8.7% (male 4,935/female 4,642)
65 years and over: 9.2% (male 4,601/female 5,520) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 51.3 %
youth dependency ratio: 40.5 %
elderly dependency ratio: 10.8 %
potential support ratio: 9.3 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 29.3 years
male: 29.3 years
female: 29.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.52% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16.57 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.01 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-3.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 39% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) 40,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 135
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 10.81 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 139
male: 10.05 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 73.55 years
country comparison to the world: 121
male: 71 years
female: 76.35 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.12 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
54.3%
note: percent of women aged 15-44 (1990)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.2% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 101
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.66 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.5% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 78
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.9% of GDP (2003)
country comparison to the world: 113
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96%
male: NA
female: NA (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2009)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Grenada
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Saint George's
geographic coordinates: 12 03 N, 61 45 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 February 1974 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1967; latest presented 19 December 1973, came into operation 7 February 1974, some provisions suspended 1979; amended 1991 (Constitutional Judicature Act, 1991 - restored provisions suspended in 1979), 1992 (2008)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
common law based on English model
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Cecile LA GRENADE (since 7 May 2013)
head of government: Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 20 February 2013)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (13 seats, 10 members appointed by the government and 3 by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 19 February 2013 (next to be held in 2018)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NNP 59%, NDC 41%; seats by party - NNP 15
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Grenada (consists of the High Court with 3 justices and a 2-tier Court of Appeal with NA justices)
judge selection and term of office: justice selection and tenure NA
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; Court of Magisterial Appeals
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Wilfred HAYES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Committee for Human Rights in Grenada or CHRG
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Ethelstan A. FRIDAY (since 3 September 2013)
chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561
FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: the US does not have an embassy in Grenada; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada
embassy: Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's
mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's
telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1177
FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 stand for the seven administrative divisions, with the central star denoting the capital, St. George; yellow represents the sun and the warmth of the people, green stands for vegetation and agriculture, and red symbolizes harmony, unity, and courage
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Hail Grenada"
lyrics/music: Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO
note: adopted 1974
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005) severely damaged the agricultural sector - particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation - which had been a key driver of economic growth. Grenada has rebounded from the devastating effects of the hurricanes but is now saddled with the debt burden from the rebuilding process. Public debt-to-GDP is nearly 110%, leaving the THOMAS administration limited room to engage in public investments and social spending. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of tourism and an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output; however, economic growth remained stagnant in 2010-12 after a sizeable contraction in 2009, because of the global economic slowdown's effects on tourism and remittances.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.427 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$779.3 million (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$13,500 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 91.9%
government consumption: 15.9%
investment in fixed capital: 17.6%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 24.5%
imports of goods and services: -49.9%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 5.6%
industry: 16.4%
services: 78.1% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47,580 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 194
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 11%
industry: 20%
services: 69% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 172
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
38% (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $175.3 million
expenditures: $215.9 million (2009 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.5% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-5.2% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
110% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 50
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.75% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$123.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$715.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$729.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-214.4 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$40.5 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
nutmeg, bananas, cocoa, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Nigeria 40.2%, St. Lucia 10.7%, Antigua and Barbuda 7.3%, US 6.6%, St. Kitts and Nevis 6.5%, Dominica 6.5%, Switzerland 4.3% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$297 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Trinidad and Tobago 44.3%, US 16.4%, China 4.6% (2012)
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$538 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
201.4 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
178.4 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
49,700 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
98.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 136
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,803 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,004 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 143
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
269,000 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28,500 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 178
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
128,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 189
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: automatic, island-wide telephone system
domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links
international: country code - 1-473; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad (2009)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the Grenada Broadcasting Network, jointly owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network of Trinidad and Tobago, operates a TV station and 2 radio stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is available; a dozen private radio stations also broadcast (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.gd
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
80 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 212
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 186
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 195
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,127 km
country comparison to the world: 183
paved: 687 km
unpaved: 440 km (2001)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Saint George's
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 27,468 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 22,596
females age 16-49: 22,588 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 995
female: 1,002 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none