Tourism is Grenada’s main economic force. Conventional beach and water-sports tourism is largely focused in the southwest region around St Georges, the airport and the coastal strip; however, ecotourism is growing in significance. Most of these small ecofriendly guesthouses are located in the Saint David and Saint John parishes. The tourism industry is increasing dramatically with the construction of a large cruise ship pier and esplanade. Up to 4 cruise ships per day were visiting St. Georges in 2007–8 during the cruise ship season.

The island has also pioneered the cultivation of organic cocoa which is also processed into finished bars by the Grenada Chocolate Company.

Tourism is concentrated in the southwest of the island, around St. Georges, Grand Anse, Lance Aux Epines, and Point Salines. Grenada has many idyllic beaches around its coastline including the 3 km long Grand Anse Beach in St George’s which is considered to be one of the finest beaches in the world, and often appears in countdowns of the world’s top 10 beaches.

Grenada is linked to the world through the Point Salines International Airport and the St. George’s harbour. International flights connect with other Caribbean islands, the United States, and Europe. There is also a daily fast ferry service between St. George’s and Hillsborough.

Within kilkusetletniej history of the island, often stationed on the small branches of the French and then English, which holds the functions of the police. After gaining independence in 1974, the Government has set up its own kilkusetosobową police, which limited the military fulfills the task (in accordance with the Constitution, responsibility for the defense of Grenada had to bear the majority of United Kingdom). After the government in 1979 created the Marxist Revolutionary People’s Army (People’s Revolutionary Army = PRA), which took the training and equipment to Cuba, in cooperation with consultants from other socialist countries. Shortly army numbered around 3,000 people each, of which 1,200 ÷ 1,500 troops in the regular wards, equipped with light weapons production in Soviet and several armored transporters and BTR-60 BRDM-2, as well as, inter alia, acting anti-ZU-23-2. In addition, the Grenada stationed at the time of 100 ÷ 200 troops garrison Cuban, with the task of protecting all built on the island airport for heavy aircraft. Planned further intensive development of PRA, which ordered (mainly in Cuba), among others 14 thousand. uniforms, 11 thousand. pieces of small arms, 60 consecutive armored transporters, 30 cannons 76 mm and 50 rocket launcher BM-21. During the invasion in 1983 the army appeared resistance forces the U.S. and countries of the East, but with their vast numerical and technological advantage, as well as niepopularności in the country’s own government, ended it after a few days and lost 45 killed and 337 injured (larger percentage loss suffered by Cubans ). The new government would solve PRA and again relied on the defense departments of the police. They are trained and equipped for a large share of organizational and financial USA. In 2005, Royal Grenadyjskie Police Force (Royal Grenadian Police Force = RGPF) numbered 755 people (including 80-person branch of special rangers), armed mainly with light weapons. RGPF subject to the Coastguard (Coast Guard) having about 50 officers and 4 small, but modern ships patrol

The island was a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation from 1958 to 1962. In 1967, Grenada attained the status of “Associated State of the United Kingdom”, which meant that Grenada was now responsible for her own internal affairs, and the UK was responsible for her defence and foreign affairs. Independence was granted in 1974 under the leadership of the then Premier, Sir Eric Matthew Gairy, who became the first Prime Minister of Grenada.

Civil conflict gradually broke out between Eric Gairy’s government and some opposition parties including the New Jewel Movement (NJM). Gairy’s party won elections in 1976 but the opposition did not accept the result, accusing it of fraudulence. In 1979, the New Jewel Movement under Maurice Bishop launched a successful armed revolution against the government. Cuban presence was heavily invested in civic assistance (doctors and school teachers mainly) during the subsequent revolutionary redistribution of homes and other private property and goods for the people of Grenada. The revolution was widely supported by the peasants, students and workers.

A dispute later developed between Bishop and certain high-ranking members of the NJM. Party members including Bernard Coard demanded that Bishop either step down or enter into a power sharing arrangement. The dispute eventually led to Bishop being deposed in 1983 and placed under house arrest. These actions led to street demonstrations in various parts of the island. Bishop, who had massive support of the population, was eventually freed by a large demonstration in the capital. Soon after, he was captured and executed by soldiers along with seven others including cabinet ministers of the government.

After the execution of Bishop, the People’s Revolutionary Army formed a military government with General Hudson Austin as chairman. The army declared a four-day total curfew during which it said that anyone leaving their home without approval would be shot on sight.

The recorded history of Grenada begins in 1498. The Spaniards did not permanently settle in Camerhogue. Later the English failed their first settlement attempts, but the French fought and conquered Grenada from the Caribs circa 1650. The French conquest resulted in the genocide of 17th century Caribs from present-day Grenada. Warfare also existed between the Caribs of present day Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the French invaders. The French took control of Camerhogue and named the new French colony La Grenade. La Grenade prospered as a wealthy French colony; its main export was sugar. The French established a capital known as Fort Royal in 1650 as ordered by Cardinal Richelieu. To wait out harsh hurricanes, the French navy would shelter in the capital’s natural harbour. No other French colony had a natural harbour to even compare with that of Fort Royal (later renamed St. George’s). The colony was ceded to the United Kingdom in 1763 by the Treaty of Paris. A century later, in 1877 Grenada was made a Crown Colony.

With its warm weather, there really isn’t a bad time to visit Grenada – temperatures average 29°C (84°F). The rainy season is June to November. Even in the driest months it rains a fair amount, though not every day. The second weekend in August is Carnival, the island’s biggest and busiest event, so reserve accommodation in advance if you want to enjoy the festivities. Winter is prime fishing season and, accordingly, the Spice Island Billfish Tournament, which draws anglers from around North America and the Caribbean, is held annually in January.

St. George’s, population 7,500 (1999), with an agglomeration of 33,000 people is the capital of Grenada, British West Indies. Following the withdrawal of Bridgetown, Barbados in the mid 1880’s St. George’s, went on to become the replacement capital of the former colony of the British Windward Islands. The city is surrounded by a hillside of an old volcano crater and is on a hoseshoe-shaped harbour. The city is home of St. George’s University School of Medicine. The main exports are cacao, nutmeg, and mace.

In 2004 St. George’s and the rest of Grenada were severely battered by Hurricane Ivan. The hurricane left significant destruction across the island and crippled much of the island’s infrastructure. It was estimated that some 90% of the islands homes had sustained damage and the nutmeg trees which are key to Grenada’s economy were devastated. A year later with the help of International donors in (Canada, the United States, and the European Union) Grenada had experienced a significant turn around in rebuilding efforts. By 2007 Grenada had as planned participated in the hosting of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Grenada (pronounced /grɪˈneɪdə/) is an island nation in the southeastern Caribbean Sea including the southern Grenadines. Grenada is located north of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, and south of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The national bird of Grenada is the critically endangered Grenada Dove.

Popularly known as ‘The Spice Isle’ because of an abundance of locally grown spices and a culture of music, dance and food built into the image of ’spice of life’, Grenada is also a well-known tourist destination.