2012 Edition

Background

Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when Christopher 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.

Area

344 sq km 344 sq km 0 sq km

total

344 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds

Coastline

121 km

Elevation extremes

Caribbean Sea 0 m Mount Saint Catherine 840 m

highest point

Mount Saint Catherine 840 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

12 07 N, 61 40 W

Geography - note

the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada

Irrigated land

15 sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

5.88% 29.41% 64.71% (2005)

arable land

5.88%

other

64.71% (2005)

permanent crops

29.41%

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November

Natural resources

timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors

Terrain

volcanic in origin with central mountains

Total renewable water resources

NA

Age structure

25% (male 14,035/ female 13,230) 65.9% (male 36,591/ female 35,274) 9.1% (male 4,479/ female 5,402) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

25% (male 14,035/ female 13,230)

15-64 years

65.9% (male 36,591/ female 35,274)

65 years and over

9.1% (male 4,479/ female 5,402) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

16.81 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

7.98 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2003)

Ethnic groups

black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian

Health expenditures

7.1% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.4 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

11.12 deaths/1,000 live births 10.3 deaths/1,000 live births 12.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

12.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

11.12 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), French patois

Life expectancy at birth

73.3 years 70.76 years 76.09 years (2012 est.)

female

76.09 years (2012 est.)

total population

73.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 96% NA NA (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

NA (2003 est.)

male

NA

total population

96%

Major cities - population

SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) 40,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

24 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

29 years 29 years 29 years (2012 est.)

female

29 years (2012 est.)

male

29 years

total

29 years

Nationality

Grenadian(s) Grenadian

adjective

Grenadian

noun

Grenadian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Population

109,011 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

0.538% (2012 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 96% of population rural: 97% of population total: 97% of population urban: 4% of population rural: 3% of population total: 3% of population

rural

3% of population

total

3% of population

urban

4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 15 years 16 years (2009)

female

16 years (2009)

male

15 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.1 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.83 male(s)/female

at birth

1.1 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.06 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.15 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

39% of total population (2010) 1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

39% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick

Capital

Saint George's 12 03 N, 61 45 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

12 03 N, 61 45 W

name

Saint George's

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

19 December 1973

Country name

none Grenada

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Grenada

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's P. O. Box 54, Saint George's [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1177 [1] (473) 444-4820

chief of mission

the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada

embassy

Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's

FAX

[1] (473) 444-4820

mailing address

P. O. Box 54, Saint George's

telephone

[1] (473) 444-1173 through 1177

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Gillian M.S. BRISTOL 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 265-2561 [1] (202) 265-2468 New York

chancery

1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Gillian M.S. BRISTOL

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 265-2468

telephone

[1] (202) 265-2561

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Carlyle Arnold GLEAN (since 27 November 2008) Prime Minister Tillman THOMAS (since 9 July 2008) Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Carlyle Arnold GLEAN (since 27 November 2008)

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

head of government

Prime Minister Tillman THOMAS (since 9 July 2008)

Flag description

a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars stand for the seven administrative divisions, with the central star denoting the capital, St. George; yellow represents the sun and the warmth of the people, green stands for vegetation and agriculture, and red symbolizes harmony, unity, and courage

Government type

parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Independence

7 February 1974 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Judicial branch

local Magistrate's Courts handle limited criminal and civil matters; Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of a court of Appeal and a High Court of Justice (two High Court judges are assigned to and reside in Grenada); Itinerant Court of Appeal three judges; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

Legal system

common law based on English model

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (13 seats, 10 members appointed by the government and 3 by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 8 July 2008 (next to be held in 2013) House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NDC 51%, NNP 48%; seats by party - NDC 11, NNP 4

election results

House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NDC 51%, NNP 48%; seats by party - NDC 11, NNP 4

elections

last held on 8 July 2008 (next to be held in 2013)

National anthem

"Hail Grenada" Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO adopted 1974

lyrics/music

Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO

name

"Hail Grenada"

National holiday

Independence Day, 7 February (1974)

Political parties and leaders

Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Wilfred HAYES]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Tillman THOMAS]; New National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Committee for Human Rights in Grenada or CHRG; New Jewel Movement Support Group; The British Grenada Friendship Society; The New Jewel 19 Committee

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables

Budget

$175.3 million $215.9 million (2009 est.)

expenditures

$215.9 million (2009 est.)

revenues

$175.3 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2009) 6.5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.4% (31 December 2012 est.) 10.68% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$217.2 million (2011 est.) -$221 million (2010 est.)

Debt - external

$538 million (2010 est.) $542 million (2009 est.)

Economy - overview

Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005) severely damaged the agricultural sector - particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation - which had been a key driver of economic growth. Grenada has rebounded from the devastating effects of the hurricanes but is now saddled with the debt burden from the rebuilding process. Public debt-to-GDP is nearly 110%, leaving the THOMAS administration limited room to engage in public investments and social spending. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of tourism and an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output; however, economic growth remained stagnant in 2010-12 after a sizeable contraction in 2009, because of the global economic slowdown's effects on tourism and remittances.

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2012 est.) 2.7 (2011 est.) 2.7 (2010 est.) 2.7 (2009)

Exports

$36.36 million (2011 est.) $30.31 million (2010 est.)

Exports - commodities

nutmeg, bananas, cocoa, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace

Exports - partners

St. Lucia 19.8%, Antigua and Barbuda 13.5%, St. Kitts and Nevis 12.1%, Dominica 12.1%, US 10.2% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

5.4% 12.6% 81.9% (2012 est.)

agriculture

5.4%

industry

12.6%

services

81.9% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,100 (2012 est.) $14,000 (2011 est.) $14,000 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.5% (2012 est.) 0.4% (2011 est.) -1.3% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$851 million (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.471 billion (2012 est.) $1.463 billion (2011 est.) $1.457 billion (2010 est.) datum is in 2011 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$296.3 million (2011 est.) $284.4 million (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel

Imports - partners

Trinidad and Tobago 43.2%, US 19% (2011)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.2% (2012 est.) 3% (2011 est.)

Labor force

47,580 (2008)

Labor force - by occupation

11% 20% 69% (2008 est.)

agriculture

11%

industry

20%

services

69% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

38% (2008)

Public debt

110% of GDP (2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$715.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) $687.9 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$793.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) $744.9 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$137.8 million (31 December 2012 est.) $123.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.6% of GDP (2009 est.)

Unemployment rate

25% (2008) 12.5% (2000)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

429,300 Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

177.4 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

33,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

201.4 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2,803 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,976 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

the Grenada Broadcasting Network, jointly owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network of Trinidad and Tobago, operates a TV station and 2 radio stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is available; a dozen private radio stations also broadcast (2007)

Internet country code

.gd

Internet hosts

80 (2012)

Internet users

25,000 (2009)

Telephone system

automatic, island-wide telephone system interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links country code - 1-473; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad

domestic

interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links

general assessment

automatic, island-wide telephone system

international

country code - 1-473; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad

Telephones - main lines in use

28,400 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

121,900 (2010)

Airports

3 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

total

3

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Ports and terminals

Saint George's

Roadways

1,127 km 687 km 440 km (2000)

total

1,127 km

unpaved

440 km (2000)

Manpower available for military service

27,468 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

27,468 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

22,596 22,588 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

22,588 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

22,596

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

1,002 (2010 est.)

female

1,002 (2010 est.)

male

995

Military branches

no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2010)

Military expenditures

NA

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US