2014 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.

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

2.19 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

8.82% 20.59% 70.59% (2011)

arable land

8.82%

other

70.59% (2011)

permanent crops

20.59%

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

24.5% (male 13,954/female 13,057) 16.5% (male 9,075/female 9,155) 40.3% (male 22,765/female 21,628) 9.2% (male 5,214/female 4,927) 9.2% (male 4,739/female 5,638) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

24.5% (male 13,954/female 13,057)

15-24 years

16.5% (male 9,075/female 9,155)

25-54 years

40.3% (male 22,765/female 21,628)

55-64 years

9.2% (male 5,214/female 4,927)

65 years and over

9.2% (male 4,739/female 5,638) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

16.3 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

54.3% percent of women aged 15-44 (1990)

Death rate

8.04 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

50.9 % 40.2 % 10.7 % 9.3 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

10.7 %

potential support ratio

9.3 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

50.9 %

youth dependency ratio

40.2 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 95.3% of population total: 96.8% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 4.7% of population total: 3.2% of population (2012 est.)

rural

4.7% of population

total

3.2% of population (2012 est.)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

3.9% 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

6.2% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

10.5 deaths/1,000 live births 9.82 deaths/1,000 live births 11.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

11.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

10.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), French patois

Life expectancy at birth

73.8 years 71.24 years 76.62 years (2014 est.)

female

76.62 years (2014 est.)

total population

73.8 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 urban areas - population

SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) 41,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

24 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

29.9 years 29.8 years 29.9 years (2014 est.)

female

29.9 years (2014 est.)

male

29.8 years

total

29.9 years

Nationality

Grenadian(s) Grenadian

adjective

Grenadian

noun

Grenadian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.5% (2008)

Physicians density

0.66 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

110,152 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.5% (2014 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.5% of population rural: 98.3% of population total: 98% of population urban: 2.5% of population rural: 1.7% of population total: 2% of population (2012 est.)

rural

1.7% of population

total

2% of population (2012 est.)

urban

2.5% 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 1.07 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.03 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 (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.09 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

39.1% of total population (2011) 1.24% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.24% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

39.1% of total population (2011)

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

previous 1967; latest presented 19 December 1973, came into operation 7 February 1974, some provisions suspended 1979; amended 1991 (Constitutional Judicature Act, 1991 - restored provisions suspended in 1979), 1992 (2008)

Country name

none Grenada

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Grenada

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Grenada; 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 does not have an embassy in Grenada; 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 Ethelstan A. FRIDAY (since 3 September 2013) 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 Ethelstan A. FRIDAY (since 3 September 2013)

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 Cecile LA GRENADE (since 7 May 2013) Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 20 February 2013) 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 Cecile LA GRENADE (since 7 May 2013)

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 Keith MITCHELL (since 20 February 2013)

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

Supreme Court of Grenada (consists of the High Court with 3 justices and a 2-tier Court of Appeal with NA justices) note - the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the itinerant superior court of record for the 9-member Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to include Grenada; the ECSC - with its headquarters on St. Lucia - is headed by the chief justice and is compri justice selection and tenure NA magistrates' courts; Court of Magisterial Appeals

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Grenada (consists of the High Court with 3 justices and a 2-tier Court of Appeal with NA justices)

judge selection and term of office

justice selection and tenure NA

subordinate courts

magistrates' courts; Court of Magisterial Appeals

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 19 February 2013 (next to be held in 2018) House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NNP 59%, NDC 41%; seats by party - NNP 15

election results

House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NNP 59%, NDC 41%; seats by party - NNP 15

elections

last held on 19 February 2013 (next to be held in 2018)

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

$163 million $196.3 million (2012 est.)

expenditures

$196.3 million (2012 est.)

revenues

$163 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.4% (31 December 2013 est.) 9.75% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$214.4 million (2012 est.) -$204.5 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$679 million (2013 est.) $538 million (2010 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 MITCHELL administration limited room to engage in public investments and social spending. MITCHELL in 2013 announced a structural adjustment program that includes a plan to increase tax revenue. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of tourism and higher education - especially in medicine - have contributed to growth in national output; however, economic growth remained stagnant in 2010-13 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 (2013 est.) 2.7 (2012 est.) 2.7 (2010 est.) 2.7 (2009)

Exports

$40.5 million (2012 est.) $34.9 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Nigeria 40.2%, St. Lucia 10.7%, Antigua and Barbuda 7.3%, US 6.6%, St. Kitts and Nevis 6.5%, Dominica 6.5%, Switzerland 4.3% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

91.6% 15.8% 16.8% 0% 21.9% -46.1% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

21.9%

government consumption

15.8%

household consumption

91.6%

imports of goods and services

-46.1%

investment in fixed capital

16.8%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

5.6% 15.8% 78.5% (2013 est.)

agriculture

5.6%

industry

15.8%

services

78.5% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$13,800 (2013 est.) $13,700 (2012 est.) $13,900 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.8% (2013 est.) -0.8% (` est.) 1% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$811 million (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.458 billion (2013 est.) $1.447 billion (2012 est.) $1.458 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

-3.6% of GDP (2013 est.) -7.2% of GDP (2012 est.) -2.1% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$297 million (2012 est.) $290.4 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel

Imports - partners

Trinidad and Tobago 44.3%, US 16.4%, China 4.6% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

-2% (2013 est.)

Industries

food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.4% (2013 est.) 2.4% (2012 est.)

Labor force

59,900 (2013 est.)

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

$697.4 million (31 December 2013 est.) $689.7 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$744.9 million (31 December 2013 est.) $729.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$131.7 million (31 December 2013 est.) $123.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

33.5% (2013) 25% (2008)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

269,000 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

178.4 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

98.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

49,700 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

201.4 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2,803 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,004 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 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 (2009)

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 (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

28,500 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

128,000 (2012)

Airports

3 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

total

3

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Ports and terminals

Saint George's

major seaport(s)

Saint George's

Roadways

1,127 km 687 km 440 km (2001)

total

1,127 km

unpaved

440 km (2001)

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)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

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