Grenada

The indigenous Carib people inhabited Grenada when Christopher COLUMBUS landed on 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. In 1979, a leftist New Jewel Movement seized power under Maurice BISHOP, ushering in the Grenada Revolution. On 19 October 1983, factions within the revolutionary government overthrew and killed BISHOP and members of his party. Six days later, US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations intervened, quickly capturing the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Rule of law was restored, and democratic elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since.

12 07 N, 61 40 W

lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November

Volcanism: Mount Saint Catherine (840 m) is on the island of Grenada; Kick 'em Jenny, an active submarine volcano (seamount) on the Caribbean Sea floor, lies about 8 km (5 mi) north of Grenada; these two volcanoes are at the southern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends to the Dutch dependency of Saba in the north

twice the size of Washington, D.C.

deforestation causing habitat and species loss; coastal erosion and contamination; pollution and sedimentation; inadequate solid waste management

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds

121 km

Total: 0 km

Agricultural land: 23.5% (2022 est.)

Arable land: 8.8% (2022 est.)

Permanent crops: 11.8% (2022 est.)

Permanent pasture: 2.9% (2022 est.)

Forest: 52.1% (2022 est.)

Other: 24.4% (2022 est.)

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

timber, tropical fruit

volcanic in origin with central mountains

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Central America and the Caribbean

20 sq km (2012)

200 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

approximately one third of the population is found in the capital of St. George's; the island's population is concentrated along the coast

Highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m

Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Total : 344 sq km

Land: 344 sq km

Water: 0 sq km

0-14 years: 21.9% (male 13,095/female 12,003)

15-64 years: 65.3% (male 38,129/female 36,726)

65 years and over: 12.8% (2024 est.) (male 6,944/female 7,724)

At birth: 1.1 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

Total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Noun: Grenadian(s)

Adjective: Grenadian

Total: 18 years (2018 est.)

Male: 17 years (2018 est.)

Female: 18 years (2018 est.)

Urban population: 37.1% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 0.86% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

39,000 SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) (2018)

3.2 beds/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Total dependency ratio: 53.1 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 33.5 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 19.6 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 5.1 (2024 est.)

African descent 82.4%, mixed 13.3%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)

Protestant 49.2% (includes Pentecostal 17.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 13.2%, Anglican 8.5%, Baptist 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Evangelical 1.9%, Methodist 1.6%, other 1.2%), Roman Catholic 36%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, Rastafarian 1.2%, other 5.5%, none 5.7%, unspecified 1.3% (2011 est.)

English (official), French patois

1.38 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

5.7% of GDP (2021)

6.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.91 (2024 est.)

41.3% (2023 est.)

-2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 35.4 years (2024 est.)

Male: 35.2 years

Female: 35.7 years

48 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

1.9 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 114,621 (2024 est.)

Male: 58,168

Female: 56,453

Total: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 9.5 deaths/1,000 live births

21.3% (2016)

8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

13.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 8.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 3.54 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 0.56 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 4.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 0.31 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 76.3 years (2024 est.)

Male: 73.7 years

Female: 79.1 years

5.1% of GDP (2023 est.)

14.5% national budget (2024 est.)

0.27% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 12 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial: 0 cubic meters (2022 est.)

Agricultural: 2.1 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 29,500 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.1% (2022 est.)

10.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

348,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 348,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

41.703 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Chief of mission: The US does not have an official embassy in Grenada; the Chargé d’Affaires to Barbados, Karin B. SULLIVAN, is accredited to Grenada

Embassy: Lance-aux-Epines, Saint George's

Mailing address: 3180 Grenada Place, Washington DC  20521-3180

Telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173

FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820

Email address and website:
StgeorgesACS@state.gov

https://bb.usembassy.gov/embassy/grenada/

6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick

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)

Etymology: Originally named Ville de Fort Royal (Fort Royal Town), the name was changed to Saint George's Town in 1764, in honor of the patron saint of England, when the English took over Grenada from the French; the name was eventually shortened to Saint George's

History: Previous 1967; latest presented 19 December 1973, effective 7 February 1974, suspended 1979 following a revolution but restored in 1983

Amendment process: Proposed by either house of Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership in both houses and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to constitutional sections, such as personal rights and freedoms, the structure, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, the delimitation of electoral constituencies, or the procedure for amending the constitution, also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum

Chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Cecile LA GRENADE (since 7 May 2013)

Head of government: Prime Minister Dickon MITCHELL (since 24 June 2022)

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Election/appointment process: The monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister

Description: A rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (left and right), with a wide red border around the flag; three five-pointed yellow stars are centered on the top and bottom of the red border, with one larger yellow star on a red disk at the center of the flag; a small yellow-and-red nutmeg pod is on the left triangle

Meaning: The seven stars stand for the country's administrative divisions, with the central star symbolizing the capital, St. George's; yellow stands for the sun and the warmth of the people, green for vegetation and agriculture, and red for harmony, unity, and courage

7 February 1974 (from the UK)

Highest court(s): Regionally, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts 

Judge selection and term of office: Chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62

Subordinate courts: Magistrates' courts; Court of Magisterial Appeals

Note: Appeals beyond the ECSC in civil and criminal matters are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

common law based on English model

Legislature name: Parliament

Legislative structure: Bicameral

ACP, ACS, AOSIS, CARIFORUM, CARIBCAN, Caricom, CBI, CDB, CELAC, CSME, ECCU, EPA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), 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

Independence Day, 7 February (1974)

National Democratic Congress or NDC
New National Party or NNP

18 years of age; universal

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Conventional long form: None

Conventional short form: Grenada

Etymology: Origin of the name remains obscure; some sources attribute the designation to Spanish influence (most likely named for the Spanish city of Granada); in Spanish granada means "pomegranate"

Chief of mission: Ambassador Tarlie FRANCIS (since 15 September 2023)

Chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

Telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561

FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468

Email address and website:
Embassy@grenadaembassyusa.org

https://grenadaembassyusa.org/

Consulate(s) general: Miami, New York

Title: "Hail Grenada"

Lyrics/music: Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO

History: Adopted 1974
_____

Title: "God Save the King"

Lyrics/music: Unknown

History: Royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Grenada dove, bougainvillea flower

Citizenship by birth: Yes

Citizenship by descent only: Yes

Dual citizenship recognized: Yes

Residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years for persons from a non-Caribbean state and 4 years for a person from a Caribbean state

red, yellow, green

25% (2018 est.)

Note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 2.1% (2018 est.)

Highest 10%: 33.7% (2018 est.)

Note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

nutmeg/cardamons, fish, wheat flours, frozen fruits and nuts, aqueous paints (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

USA 24%, Antigua & Barbuda 13%, St. Vincent & the Grenadines 8%, Dominica 6%, Trinidad & Tobago 5% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

sugarcane, coconuts, eggs, vegetables, fruits, bananas, plantains, grapefruits, avocados, mangoes/guavas (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $288.404 million (2017 est.)

Expenditures: $222.475 million (2017 est.)

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

refined petroleum, cars, poultry, ships, plastic products (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
2.7 (2024 est.)
2.7 (2023 est.)
2.7 (2022 est.)
2.7 (2021 est.)
2.7 (2020 est.)

food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction, education, call-center operations

small OECS service-based economy; large tourism, construction, transportation, and education sectors; major spice exporter; shrinking but still high public debt; vulnerable to hurricanes; emerging blue economy incentives

$1.391 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

USA 37%, Trinidad & Tobago 13%, Cayman Islands 10%, China 4%, UK 3% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

5% of GDP (2024 est.)
5.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
5.1% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

$501.371 million (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

$423.263 million (2024 est.)
$404.13 million (2023 est.)
$371.767 million (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

$2.08 billion (2024 est.)
$2.005 billion (2023 est.)
$1.916 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

1.1% (2024 est.)
2.7% (2023 est.)
2.6% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$270.771 million (2024 est.)
-$243.473 million (2023 est.)
-$148.445 million (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$17,700 (2024 est.)
$17,100 (2023 est.)
$16,400 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$990.587 million (2024 est.)
$924.688 million (2023 est.)
$785.022 million (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$858.949 million (2024 est.)
$828.529 million (2023 est.)
$706.195 million (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

3.7% (2024 est.)
4.7% (2023 est.)
7.3% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

2.9% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 2.7% (2024 est.)

Industry: 14.8% (2024 est.)

Services: 65.2% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 94.2% (2022 est.)

Imports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels: 98.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 60,000 kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 221.453 million kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 18 million kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 74% (2023 est.)

.gd

multiple publicly and privately owned TV and radio stations; state-owned Grenada Information Service (GIS) provides TV and radio; 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 provided by Columbus Communications Grenada (FLOW GRENADA); approximately 25 private radio stations (2019)

Total subscriptions: 112,000 (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 81 (2021 est.)

Total: 35,000 (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions: 17,000 (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2022 est.)

J3

2 (2025)

Total: 6 (2023)

By type: General cargo 3, other 3

no regular military forces; the Royal Grenada Police Force (under the Ministry of National Security) includes a Coast Guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit (2025)

Grenada joined the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) in 1985; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2024)

IDPs: 383 (2024 est.)

Total ports: 1 (2024)

Large: 0

Medium: 0

Small: 1

Very small: 0

Ports with oil terminals: 1

Key ports: St. George's

Chamber name: House of Representatives

Number of seats: 15 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Plurality/majority

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 6/23/2022

Parties elected and seats per party: National Democratic Congress (NDC) (9); New National Party (NNP) (6)

Percentage of women in chamber: 31.3%

Expected date of next election: June 2027

Chamber name: Senate

Number of seats: 13 (all appointed)

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 8/31/2022

Percentage of women in chamber: 30.8%

Expected date of next election: August 2027

Grenada’s coat of arms shows Grand Etang Lake, a crater lake on the volcano that formed Grenada; in the center of the shield is Christopher Columbus’s ship, the Santa Maria, which landed on the island in 1498; the gold cross dividing the shield, the two Madonna lilies, and the national motto signal the importance of religion; two lions symbolize past UK rule (1762-1974), as well as Grenada’s current status as a Commonwealth country; the corn stalk and banana plant represent agriculture; the armadillo and Grenada dove next to the shield are native to the island, and the roses in the bougainvillea flower garland represent Grenada’s seven communities

43.8 (2018 est.)

Note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality