Vital Statistics

Population: 89,000
Area: 350 sq km.
Capital: St George's
Language: English
Religion: Mainly Roman Catholic with Anglican, Baptist, Mormon, Christian Scientist, Jehovah's Witnesses and Baha'i also represented
Time Zone: GMT -4 hours
Currency: EC dollar
Electricity: 220-240V
Weights & Measures: Metric
International Dialling Code: 473

Geography

Grenada's volcanic, mountainous interior looms large and is slow to cross, partly because its landscape is so varied. The highest point, Mount St Catherine, reaches 840 metres. The island has beautiful white sand beaches and mangrove swamps along its heavily indented coasts. It is astonishingly fertile; bananas, cocoa, citrus, mangoes and coconuts grow in these dense groves or by the roadside. Its fertility is largely thanks to plentiful rain deposited on the island's interior each year by the trade winds. This creates lush and often impenetrable rainforest and streams that cascade down to the sea. Further up in the interior, vast ferns and ancient mahogany trees drip in the humidity. Despite this, it tends to have less diversity in its flora than other Caribbean islands, owing to deforestation by settlers. Exotic Mona monkeys, introduced from Africa, live in the forest, along with mongooses, armadillos and opossums. Non poisonous tree boas live here but are rarely seen. Among the birds are pelicans, hook billed kites and hummingbirds. only the Grenada dove is endemic

Carriacou is dominated by a ridge that rises to 255 metres. Much of the island was deforested for agriculture and is now mainly dry scrub although the middle has been designated as a forest reserve. Water shortage is a chronic problem here. the centre of tiny Petite Martinique is the top of  a volcano which peaks at 277 metres.

Climate

The temperature remains fairly stable all year round at an average of 31c in the dry season from January to May and 23c in the rainy season between November and February. A northeasterly breeze blows for most of the year. Annual rainfall is 4,060mm but the two smaller islands have considerably less rain. However, even during the rainy season it will rarely rain for more than an hour a day if at all. The hurricane season runs from June to November but storms are most likely in September; follow local advice if you are visiting during these months 

Festivals & Events

January: Grenada Sailing Festival, Spice island Fishing Tournament

June: Fisherman's Birthday in Gouyave. Greanda Carnival starts. A series of festivals, pageants and parties throughout the summer which continue until the end of August

August: Rainbow City Festival. Carriacou Regatta, the climax of Grenada's yachting year. It is now a huge festival that involves not only local boats and boat building skills but parties, parades and much jollity. It is essential to book accommodation well in advance.

Tourist Office website - www.grenadagrenadines.com