A little history...
Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when 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. Grenada is known as The Spice of the Caribbean.
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. Small farms replaced sugar plantations, slavery was abolished, and today the sweet smells of nutmeg and other spices waft on balmy breezes.
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.
Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004 causing severe damage. (CIA World Fact Book, 2008).
A little Economics....
Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output.
Grenada continues to struggle to rebound from the devastating effects of Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005), and is now saddled with the debt burden from the rebuilding process.
The agricultural sector, particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation, remains the furthest from recovery, and the tourism sector has seen substantial increases in foreign direct investment as the regional share of the tourism market increases.
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