Grenada
Grenada
Capital city description
Saint George's is the town and capital of Grenada, an island in the eastern Caribbean sea. The city is situated on the island's southwestern coast, on a small peninsula with a shallow exterior bay and a deep, inner landlocked harbor. French settlers founded Saint George's as a settlement in 1650, and it served as the capital of the former British Windward Island. It is now a port and exports cacao, nutmeg, mace, and bananas. Sugar processing and rum distilling are local industries.
Notable landmarks include the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Presbyterian churches, on the central ridge; Fort George at the peninsula's tip; and Government House on a slope overlooking the town. Carenage, the inner harbor, and Grand Etang Lake, located in the island's center, occupy volcanic calderas. Grenada's capital, St. George's, is a picturesque city with red-tiled roofed shops and homes dotting the hillside of an old volcano crater. Its beautiful horseshoe-shaped harbor and yacht lagoon are unforgettable sights, and the town is a favorite port-of-call for cruise lines from all over the world.
Climate
The climate of Grenada is tropical, hot, and humid all year round, with a relatively calm and dry season from January to mid-April and a hot, humid, and rainy season from June to December.
Languages spoken
English is the official language of Grenada.
Fun/Fascinating Facts
- Grenada boasts of having the world’s first underwater sculpture park. The Moliniere underwater sculpture park is a fascinating compilation of over 65 human sculptures on the ocean. These works of art can be viewed by snorkeling, scuba diving, or through clear glass bottom boats.
- Grenada produces many spices and is also called “The Island of Spice.” A ship traveling to England from the East Indies stopped and planted some nutmeg trees on the island. Today, Nutmeg accounts for one of the major exports of the country. If you look closely at the country’s flag, Nutmeg also appears in a field of green to the left of the flag’s center.
- Grenada serves as the nesting ground for Leatherback turtles. These massive turtles date back to the era of dinosaurs and rank 3rd in the list of heaviest living reptiles in today’s world. They are also critically endangered, with only 35,000 female turtles left. Only one in 1,000 of their hatchlings can survive to adulthood.
- There is a lake in Grenada, Grand Etang, which is a bottomless lake because nobody has been able to find its bottom with SONAR. The lake was formed over a dormant volcano, becoming a popular tourist attraction. There is also a tale home to the legendary Loch Ness monster, and beautiful mermaids have been spotted swimming in it.
Unique Customs/Traditions
- It’s no doubt that most visitors are drawn to Grenada because of its fantastic nature. Yet, many cultural events make it an intriguing and fun-filled destination any time of year. The islanders love the pulse and beat of soca and calypso, and in true Caribbean spirit, they love to dance carnival style. The Grenada Carnival, also known as Spice Mas, runs annually every August and reflects the sheer energy of the Grenadians. In contrast, the world-famous Sailing Festival reflects its prime position in the sea.
- Since its commencement in 1996, this annual sailing festival has grown to attract boat enthusiasts worldwide. At the end of January, it features four days of yacht racing, regattas, and ends with a street festival.
- A sister of the more significant festival held on Grenada Island each year, this carnival held at the beginning of March is another excuse for the locals to party. Unique to this event is the Shakespeare Mas, which is an intriguing contest of quotations.
- Held every year on the weekend preceding December 25, this festival celebrates music, arts and culture on Grenada’s second largest island and attracts big crowds.
Popular universities
| Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| St. George's University | Founded in 1976, St. George's University is a for-profit private higher education institution located in the small city of Grenada (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants). Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development of Grenada, St. George's University (SGU) is a medium-sized (uni Rank enrollment range: 6,000-6,999 students) coeducational Grenadian higher education institution. St. George's University (SGU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uni Rank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 44-year-old Grenadian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. SGU also provides educational and non-academic facilities and services to students, including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, and administrative services. | |
Festivals & Events
Grenada Sailing Festival
Date: End of January
The annual Grenada Sailing Festival is an internationally famous event that welcomes sailing captains and crews for some of the most exciting races and related activities. Headquartered at the Port Louis Marina, the annual four-day Festival begins at the end of January, featuring international yacht racing from Grenada’s southern coast. Part of the Southern Caribbean Re
gatta Circuit, the celebrations extend to a second weekend for a famous Work Boat Regatta from Grand Anse Beach.
Carriacou Parang Festival
Date: December
The Carriacou Parang Festival is an annual event stressing Carriacou’s Culture that everyone must experience. The festival is held every year in December on the weekend preceding December 25th and attracts hundreds of visitors from across the region. The festival features African Big Drum, Quadrille Dancing, Shakespeare Mas, etc.
One of the unique features of the event is parang bands competing against each other for prizes and bragging rights by singing humorous songs about the happenings on the island over the past year.
Grenada Spicemas
Date: July and August
The Grenada Spicemas festival is one of Grenada's biggest and most colorful festivals. Each year during July and August, the island of Grenada transforms into a massive celebration filled with the Jab Jab, elaborate costumes, intoxicating rhythms, parades, pure Caribbean energy, and more.
Calypsonians, steel pan orchestras, beauty contestants, 'fancy mas' bands, and others perform and parade to compete for Carnival honors.
Grenada Chocolate Fest
Date: May
Grenada Chocolate Fest is an annual week-long festival in May on the Caribbean Island of Grenada. The festival features cocoa farming, chocolate making, experiencing local food, drinks, and entertainment all over the island.
Visitors will have the chance to discover and enjoy the flavors, scents, and benefits of luxurious pure cocoa butter and savor the smell of fresh herbs and cocoa teas, and indulge in the most incredible chocolate homemade ice cream and enticing desserts.
Independence Day
Date: February
Held in February, Grenada's Independence Day is a public holiday celebrated all over the islands to commemorate the day in 1974 when Grenada turned into a sovereign nation, gaining complete independence from 200 years of British colonial rule.
The whole island is decorated with Grenadian flags and national colors: red, yellow, and green during the celebration of the country's independence. Driving around the island, you will come across roads, walls, buildings, and towns beautifully decorated with national colors. Many Grenadians wear independence-special outfits and head to the streets waving national flags and showing patriotism for their country. The official highlight is a military parade at Tanteen; however, the real fun starts as you dance into the night with the locals at one of the many beach parties.
Attractions / Top Sights
Grand Anse Beach
When to visit: In summer
When to visit: https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/grenada-gre.htm
Located in Saint George Parish on Grenada's southwestern coast, Grand Anse is Grenada's most visited beach. It is home to several beach hotels, resorts, restaurants, beach clubs, and shops.
Cruise ship visitors flock to this three-kilometer arc of golden sand and gentle surf. Water hues range from clear turquoise in the shallows to deep cobalt blue, and the calm waters are perfect for swimming.
St. George
When to visit: December to mid-April
St. George's is the beautiful capital of Grenada. It is a famous Caribbean tourist destination. Two of the main historical attractions in the city are Fort George, built by the French in the early 18th century, and Fort Frederick. Both offer beautiful views over the town and sea. The capital is home to the airport and the cruise ship terminal. It is famous for boaters who dock in the busy harbor called the Carenage.
The city also houses a historical museum, the Grenada National Museum. The museum displays various historical items, including Carib and Arawak artifacts, sugar processing machines and equipment, whaling industry items, and Josephine Bonaparte's marble bath.
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Underwater Sculpture Park
When to visit: December to April
Underwater Sculpture Park is one of the most famous snorkeling sites, an underwater gallery of sculptures in Molinere Beauséjour Marine Protected Area that reflects Grenada’s culture.
The Underwater Sculpture Park is a distinctive submerged gallery that serves as an artificial reef in a marine protected area. Created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the sculptures range from Amerindian petroglyphs to life-size figures cast by local children.
Sandy Island
When to visit: December to April
Sandy Island is a stunning unspoiled 20-acre island lying off the northeastern shores of Grenada. This tiny stretch of land boasts calm turquoise waters and white powdery sand that shimmers pink when washed onto the beach.
Colorful fishes flock to the area, while the island is lush with fruit trees and other thriving flora. Activities like snorkeling and scuba diving are quite famous due to the clear and pristine underwater.
Carenage
When to visit: December to April
Situated in Saint Georgeʼs in the Saint George Parish region, an inner harbor and anchorage known as the Carenage is the lively hub of St. George's. It's a stunning place to stroll along the waterfront and soak up daily life.
Fisherman unloads their catch from colorful wooden schooners, locals haggle for the day's fresh catch, and supplies are unloaded from container ships.
Grand Etang Lake
Established in 1992, the Grand Etang National Park is a 1,000ha swathe of mountainous forest located in the island's center to the northwest of the 1,540ha. The name 'Grand Etang' is derived from the French meaning' large lake,' about the 12ha crater lake which sits at an elevation of 530m at the southeastern boundary of the national park.
Also located within the Grand Etang National Park are the summits of Mt Qua Qua, Mt Granby, and Morne Fédon. Waterfalls found within the park include the three that comprise the Concord Falls – Concord, Au Coin, and Fontainbleu. Located on the southwestern perimeter of the park is the frequently visited Annandale Falls.
Levera National Park
When to visit: May to June
The 450-acre Levera National Park maintains one of Grenada’s most scenic and astonishing coastal areas. Its picture-perfect beach is quite famous on weekends, and its lagoon is one of the most important wildlife habitats on the island.
The park consists of an extensive mangrove swamp; the lagoon is a haven for many bird species, including herons, black-necked stilts, common snipes, and other waterfowl. Levera’s marine areas are equally esteemed, with outstanding coral reefs and seagrass beds sheltering lobster and beautiful reef fishes. The beaches are also a hatchery for sea turtles, protected from May to September.