Project: Grenada/Country
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| Flag of Grenada |
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Location
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The nation of Grenada is situated in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is the southernmost of the Windward Islands, located directly south of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It lies approximately 100 miles north of Trinidad and the South American mainland.
See Also: Geography of Grenada
Administrative Divisions
Grenada is divided into six parishes and one dependency.
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- Saint Andrew
- Saint David
- Saint George
- Saint John
- Saint Mark
- Saint Patrick
Additionally, the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique have the status of a dependency.
The city of St. George’s is Grenada's capital and largest city. Other important cities include Grenville, Gouyave, Hillsborough, and Victoria.
See Also: Parishes of Grenada
History
Amerindian populations began to rise on the island of Grenada around AD 750, likely due to migration from the South American mainland. Grenada’s indigenous population reached its peak during this period. Several waves of groups arrived, often associated with Arawakan or Cariban languages. Christopher Columbus reportedly sighted the island during his third voyage in 1498, but he didn’t land.
The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, establishing sugar estates, importing African slaves to work on the plantations, and killing off the indigenous Caribs. In the 18th century, Grenada became a point of contention between Great Britain and France, but the British ultimately prevailed and took control of the island in 1762, leading to the vigorous expansion of sugar production. Fédon’s Rebellion in 1795, inspired by the Haitian Revolution, nearly succeeded and required significant military intervention to quell. Slavery was abolished in Grenada in 1833.
Grenada achieved independence from Great Britain in 1974. In 1979, a left-wing government led by the Marxist New Jewel Movement took control in a bloodless coup. The island faced political upheaval, including a 1983 invasion by United States troops that overthrew the government.
See also: History of Grenada
Ethnicities
Nearly 90% of Grenadians are of African descent. Their ancestors were brought to the island as enslaved Africans during the colonial era. About 8% of Grenadians have mixed ancestral backgrounds, blending African, European, and other heritages. East Indians represent about 1.5% of the population. Many of them are descendants of indentured laborers who arrived from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar between 1857 and 1885. Approximately 0.5% has European ancestry, linked to the island’s colonial history. Grenada also hosts small communities of Lebanese/Syrians and Chinese. And although the indigenous Arawaks and Caribs were largely wiped out during French colonization, a small percentage of their descendants also still exist in Grenada.
Like many Caribbean islands, Grenada experiences significant out-migration. Young people often seek better opportunities abroad, leading to a diaspora of Grenadians around the world.
Languages
the official language of Grenada is English. However, the linguistic landscape of Grenada is diverse, reflecting its history and the migration of people to the island. The accents and dialects on the island bear traces of these English Creole, and to a lesser extent, French Creole, along with African languages and a mix of French and Caribbean dialects.
See also: Languages of Grenada
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Religion
The predominant religion in Grenada is Christianity. Protestant Christians constitute the largest religious group, accounting for nearly half the population. Various Protestant denominations are present, including Pentecostals, Seventh Day Adventists, and Anglicans. Roman Catholics representing about 35% of the national population. Other Christian denominations have a limited presence on the island. Other religions with significant membership on the island include Rastafarianism, Hinduism (mostly descendants of workers who arrived from India), and Islam.
See Also: Religion in Grenada
See Also: Demographics of Grenada
Grenadian Naming Conventions
Grenadians today bear diverse names influenced by their colonial past, African heritage, and local culture. Surnames often reflect historical connections to European settlers, African ancestors, or indigenous roots.
This page was last modified 21:25, 26 October 2024. This page has been accessed 181 times.