Grenada is an island country consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. Grenada is located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The islands are of volcanic origin with extremely rich soil. Grenada’s interior is very mountainous with Mount St. Catherine being the highest at 840 m (2,760 ft). Several small rivers with beautiful waterfalls flow into the sea from these mountains.
There are six parishes in Grenada, the largest is Saint George, others include Saint David, Saint Andrew, Saint Patrick, Saint Mark, and Saint John.
Being on the southern edge of where hurricanes usually pass through, Grenada has only experienced three hurricanes in the last 50 years.
Grenada is a leading producer of several different spices. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace, allspice, orange/citrus peels, wild coffee used by the locals, and especially nutmeg, providing 20% of the world supply, are all important exports.
Grenada also plays host to eco-tourists who come there attracted by the lush green rain forests and estuaries.
One of the prettiest port towns in the Caribbean, the city of St. George’s curves along a horseshoe-shaped harbor backed by volcanic hills. This colorful capital is popular with yachters who dock in the busy harbor of Carenage. Brick and stone buildings with red tiled roofs line the streets where locals sell spices and crafts.
Fringed by sea grapes and coconut palms, Grand Anse is Grenada’s most famous beach and one of its most beautiful. Cruise ship visitors flock to this three-kilometer arc of golden sand and gentle surf, and many boutique resorts and restaurants lie along its shores. Water hues range from clear turquoise in the shallows to deep cobalt blue, and the calm waters are perfect for swimming. Midway along the beach, visitors will find the Grande Anse Craft and Spice Market while independent vendors patrol the sands hawking trinkets and souvenirs.
On the west coast of Grenada, a short drive north of St. George’s at Moliniere Bay, the Underwater Sculpture Park is a unique submerged gallery that also serves as an artificial reef in a Marine Protected Area. Created by artist Jason de Caires Taylor, the sculptures range from Amerindian petroglyphs to life size figures cast from local children. Divers, snorkelers, and glass bottom boat passengers can admire this underwater exhibition, although the best views are face to face with these sculptures below sea level.
One of Grenada’s oldest and largest nutmeg plantations, Dougaldston Spice Estate is a rustic operation where local workers demonstrate how the island’s spices are grown and processed. Visitors can also buy bags of nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves. Near the Dougaldston Spice Estate is the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station, the largest facility on the island, where workers sort and pack nutmeg and share interesting facts about Grenada’s famous spice. Tours are open to the public.