|
Also
known as: |
The
Spice Isle |
|
Motto: |
Ever
Conscious of
God We
Aspire, and
Advance as
One People
|
|
Location: |
The most
southerly of
the Windward
Islands, 135
km (83.8
miles) north
of Trinidad
and Tobago
|
|
History: |
Columbus
landed on
the island
in 1498, but
the French
first
settled on
the island
in 1650. It
was
alternately
ruled by the
French and
British
until 1783
when, under
the Treaty
of
Versailles,
the island
was ceded to
the British.
It was
joined to
the Windward
Islands in
1833, and
was a part
of the West
Indies
Federation
during the
period
1958-62. It
gained
independence
on 7
February
1974. The
Maurice
Bishop
Government
which came
to power in
1979 was
toppled by
an internal
coup in
1983, and an
interim
government
prepared the
way for the
1984
elections.
|
|
Elections: |
Last
elections
were held in
2008. Next
elections
due in 2013.
|
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Ruling
Party: |
National
Democratic
Congress
(NDC) |
|
Major
Political
Parties: |
National
Democratic
Congress
(NDC), New
National
Party (NNP),
Grenada
United
Labour Party
(GULP) |
|
Airports: |
Point
Salines
International
|
|
Status: |
Independent
- 7 February
1974
|
|
Capital: |
St.
George's
|
| Area: |
345 km2
(133 miles2)
|
|
Head of
State: |
H.E.Sir
Daniel
Williams,
GCMG, QC,
Governor
General
|
|
National
Holidays: |
New Year's
Day (01
January);
Independence
Day (07
February);
Good Friday;
Easter
Monday;
Labour Day
(01 May);
Whit Monday;
Corpus
Christi (as
decreed);
Emancipation
Day (First
Monday in
August);
Carnival
(Second
Monday and
Tuesday in
August); Thanksgiving
Day (25
October);
Christmas
Day (25
December);
Boxing Day
(26
December)
Holidays
that fall on
Sunday are
observed on
the Monday
following.
|
|
CARICOM
Membership: |
1
May 1974
|
|
Highest
National
Award: |
Grenada does
not have a
system of
national
awards.
Instead, the
achievement
of
citizens in
various
areas of
national
development
is
recognised
each year in
a grand
awards
ceremony held
to coincide
with
Independence
Day.
|
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Favourite
Dishes: |
Oil Down
|
|
Web
Page: |
http://www.gov.gd/
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