Region: Caribbean

Capital: Saint George's

Population: 90,343 (July 2008 est.)

Surface area: 344 sq km

Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
GDP per capita: Purchasing power parity US $10,500 (2007 est.)

Background:
Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when 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.

Economy – Overview
Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output. Grenada has rebounded from the devastating effects of Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005), but is now saddled with the debt burden from the rebuilding process. The agricultural sector, particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation, has gradually recovered, and the tourism sector has seen substantial increases in foreign direct investment as the regional share of the tourism market increases.

Major Export Commodities: bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace

Remittances: US $23 million (2006)

Human Development Index 2007/2008 ranking: 82 out of 177

Official Development Assistance and Major Development Partners: Net ODA in 2006 was US $3.38 million. Major development partners include the Caribbean Development Bank, the European Community and the United Kingdom.

Total External Debt US $347 million (2004)

United Nations membership date: 17 September 1974

New York Mission:
Permanent Mission of Grenada to the United Nations
800 Second Avenue, Suite 400K
New York, N.Y. 10017 USA
Telephone: 212-599-0301, 0302
Fax: 212-599-1540

Website: http://www.un.int/grenada

Sources:

CIA World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. www.cia.gov 

World Development Indicators. World Bank www.worldbank.org

Development, Recipient Aid Charts. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. www.oecd.org

Human Development Report 2007/2008.United Nations Development Programme. www.undp.org

Updated June 2008