Wikipedia
Grenada is a country in the West Indies. Its capital is Saint-Georges. This island State of the Caribbean Sea includes the island of Grenada, Round Island, Carriacou Island and the island of Petite Martinique, all located in the southern part of the Grenadine Archipelago. Including the deserted islands, the country has an area of 350 km2.
In 2015, there were 110,694 Grenadians. The official language is English.
The island of Grenada is located less than 150 kilometers north of the coasts of Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. Populated by the Caribbean before the arrival of the Europeans, Grenada is first a colony of the kingdom of France from 1649 to 1763. Following the Seven Years’ War, it is bequeathed to the Kingdom of Great Britain by the Treaty from Paris. Reconquered by France during the American Revolution, it became British again thanks to the Treaty of Versailles of 1783. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom on February 7, 1974. Grenada became the People’s Revolutionary Government of Grenada, a communist state, from 1979 until the 1983 American invasion.
After being spared by cyclones for 49 years, the island was hit in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan, which caused significant damage, followed in 2005 by Hurricane Emily. Grenada is nicknamed « Island of Spice » for its cinnamon, cloves, turmeric and especially mace and nutmeg. Grenada has been a member of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) since 14 December 2014.
Agriculture accounts for about 24% of gross national product and 7% of gross domestic product (GDP), while industry and services account for 14% and 78% of GDP, respectively. The nutmeg, which adorns the national flag, made the fortune of the archipelago: until 2004, Grenada was the second largest producer in the world behind Indonesia, and all of its spices saved more than 3,000 operators.
Most of the inhabitants are of African descent. The natives, the Caribbean and Arawakss, are only a minority. About 50% of the population is under 30 years of age (2000). English is the national language, but some people still know Creole with lexical French close to that of Martinique. Like other Caribbean islands, Grenada’s main cultural event is the Carnival, which takes place every year in August. Locally known as Spice Mas, the carnival lasts two days. During the festivities, the Grenadines parade dressed in colorful costumes referring to the African, British and French heritage of the island. The party is very popular and the majority of the population participates.
Male homosexuality is illegal in Grenada. Under the Grenada Criminal Code, the « crime against nature », committed through anal intercourse, that is, Sodomy is a crime. Such an offense is punishable by imprisonment for ten years. By relying on the law, the object of penetration is the male sexual organ. The offense can not, however, be committed by two female persons. In addition, there is no explicit clause on equality or the protection of privacy in the 1973 Grenada Constitution.