Grenada
Grenada - Spice of the Country
Grenada, which gets its name from the Spanish for pomegranate, is
the southernmost of the Windward Islands, located in the Caribbean.
An area of 344 square kilometers is home to a population of 102
million, most of whom are black. Residents are Catholic and English
is the official language. The currency is the East Caribbean dollar,
and St. Joe's (St.Geogres) is the capital.
National Flag
The Grenada national flag is bordered in red, with seven yellow
stars symbolizing the country's seven parishes. The red represents
the spirit of fraternity. Within the border, the flag is split
diagonally into four triangles of yellow and green, which
respectively symbolize agriculture and the sun. A nutmeg pattern is
representative of the country's specialty.
History
Grenada was originally inhabited by Indians. In 1498, Christopher
Columbus discovered the island, and by 1650 it was owned by the
French. In 1762, it was occupied by Britain, and on February 10,
1763, under the Treaty of Paris, France transferred Grenada to the
United Kingdom. In 1779 it was re-occupied by the French, but again
was passed back to the British in 1785, under the Treaty of
Versailles. It then became a British colony until February 7, 1974,
when independence was declared.
Economy and Cultural Customs
Grenada grows an abundance of tropical spices, including nutmeg,
cloves, and pepper, earning it the nickname, the "spice country."
Nutmeg is not only a culinary spice but also medicinal, with high
economic value. Grenada is at the forefront of global nutmeg
production.
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