GRENADA
History | Food & Drink | Sports & Recreation | Sightseeing

Grenada's History
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Though Christopher Columbus in 1498, the island was relatively neglected until 1650, when it was purchased by the governor of Martinique. The French began their colonization with a series of skirmishes the exterminated the island's native Carib population. Once in complete control of the island, the French introduced cultivation of cocoa, coffee and cotton. During the wars between France and Great Britain the island changed hands many times until it was finally ceded to Britain in 1783. Slave labor and large plantation holdings brought prosperity to the island, which served as the headquarters of the British West Indies 1885-1958. Grenada assumed the status of an Associated State of Britain in 1967 and the island became independent from the United Kingdom in 1974.

Following a revolution in 1979, a People's Revolutionary Government replaced the parliament of Grenada. Revolutionary rumblings erupted into a coup against the presiding prime minister in October 1983, prompting U.S. and Eastern Caribbean military intervention. Political order was re-established with an elected representative government.

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Grenada's Food & Drink
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An almost endless list of seafood and homegrown fresh fruit is available in most island restaurants. Conch dishes and avocado or nutmeg ice cream are local favorites. Gina and coconut water as well as a Grenadian rum punch are popular and entice visitors to try Grenadian cuisine. Traditional West Indian fare is served in some restaurants.

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Grenada's Sports & Recreation
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Since much of the island is mountainous, it is easy to understand why hiking is a popular activity. Opportunities exist for hikes to waterfalls, historic sites, scenic views and nature study.

Scuba diving has become a major sport and is good off Molinere Point and point Salines. Experienced divers can reach the Bianca C., a cruise ship that sank outside St, George's harbor in 1961.

Several area spice and cocoa plantations welcome visitors. Gouyave, a market town on the island's west coast, is a center of the nutmeg industry. Grenville on the east coast also has a spice factory open for tours.

Because most visitors come to Grenada to soak up the sun, sail, snorkel or roam, the evenings tend to be much quieter than on some of the larger Caribbean islands.

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Grenada's Sightseeing
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Levera National Park

This popular 450-acre scenic coastal park is on the northeast coast and is visually dramatic. Levera Hill offers views of the park and other offshore islands.

St. George's

The island's capital, the streets of St. George's wind in a medieval tangle up several steep hillsides. Terraced ways, the red and white-gabled houses and the lively Saturday morning market lend an Old World charm to the town, considered by many travelers to be among the most picturesque in the Caribbean.

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