Grenada

Grenada's greatest natural assets are, well…its natural assets. Beach lovers have their pick of more than 40 ribbons of sand. Grand Anse, with two miles of white sand and sheltered waters, is the best known, but secluded strands abound within easy reach along the east coast – if you have a 4-wheel-drive. And you'll want one on this island of tropical rain forests, waterfalls, mountain lakes – and some of the most rewarding hikes in the Caribbean. One of the rewards? Take a deep breath: The scent of spices – nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and clove – is always in the air. Grenada, after all, is the Caribbean's "Isle of Spice." The colorful dockside warehouses in the capital of St. George's (perhaps the most scenic harbor city in the West Indies) are testament to a time when spices were a rich currency all their own. Grenada has made some concessions to the modern world (duty free shopping among them), but it has a firm grasp on the spirit of the past (literally, at the River Antoine Rum Distillery, the oldest distillery in the Caribbean, where you can watch the fiery liquor made much as it was here in the 18th century). On Grenada, a way of life that has vanished from many islands, from lively morning markets to vibrant festivals (notably the Maroon Music Festival of Big Drum dancing on the sister isle of Carriacou) remain unchanged, much like its natural treasures. Location The three islands of Grenada are located in the Eastern Caribbean at the southern extremity of the Windward Islands, only 100 miles North of Venezuela. To the North lie St. Vincent and the Grenadines; to the South Trinidad and Tobago. Climate Average temperatures range from 24C/ 75F to 30C/ 87F, tempered by the steady and cooling trade winds. The lowest temperatures occur between November and February. Because of Grenada's remarkable topography, the island also experiences climate changes according to altitude. The driest season is between January and May. Even during the rainy season, from June to December, it rarely rains for more than an hour at a time and generally not every day. Population Grenada's population numbers about 93,000, comprising citizens of African, East Indian, and European descent. The largest portion of the population, about 75%, is of African descent. 0-14 years: 33.9% (male 15,329/female 14,997) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 29,711/female 26,436) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 1,431/female 1,598) (2005 est.) Government The tri-island state remains within the British Commonwealth as an independent nation and the Governor General represents Her Majesty the Queen. There is a 13-member Senate and a House of Representatives with a Speaker and fifteen members, each representing a constituency. Currency The East Caribbean dollar is the currency used locally. It is linked to the US dollar. At the banks you will get EC$2.67 for US$l cash and EC$2.68 for US$l travelers cheques. Shops will give EC$2.60. The Euro can be changed at the local banks, as well as the British Pound. However, the exchange rate varies as the EC$ is not fixed to it. All the banks post the present exchange rate. ATM's are available at most of the local banks as well, so it is possible to withdraw money directly. The major credit and Debit cards are all accepted. Electricity Voltage is 220 volts - 50 cycles. Appliances rated at 110 volts (US standard) normally work satisfactorily with a transformer. Most hotels have standard British three prong plugs, and provide dual voltage shaver units. Bring an adapter plug for small appliances. Entry Requirements A valid passport and return or onward ticket is required. Visas are not required from citizens of the USA, Canada, United Kingdom and its dependencies, British Commonwealth countries, Caribbean countries (except Cuba), European Community countries and their dependencies, Norway, Japan, and Israel. Commonwealth of Independent States such as Russia and the Ukraine and the Baltic States such as Estonia and Latvia, and other eastern European countries such as Hungary, Romania and Slovenia are required to purchase a tourist visa on arrival in Grenada and costs EC$ 25. Duty Free Allowances - Personal items, one quart in total wines and spirits, half-pound tobacco or 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes. No restrictions on the amount of money that can be brought in. Restricted items are fruits, vegetables, meat, soil, illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition. (Information from Grenada General Consulate Canada) Economy Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Agriculture is the nation s next most important industry. Grenada is frequently called the Spice Island, as some of its exports include cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace, cocoa, and of course, the nutmeg. The economy has shifted towards tourism recently, and there are a number of small resorts located throughout the island. The Grenadian Flag 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 represent the seven administrative divisions. Medical Facilities There is a General Hospital in St.George's, a smaller hospital at Mirabeau on the east coast and one in Carriacou. A small private hospital in St. Paul, clinics and doctors are available. House-calls can be made. Time Zone Grenada, Carriacou & Petit Martinique are in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and four hours behind GMT. Water It is safe to drink the water here, which is chlorinated