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The Grenada dove (Leptotila wellsi), was announced as the country’s national bird in 1991 and is only found on the island of Grenada in the West Indies. The Grenada dove is originally known as the pea dove or Well's dove and is considered to be one of the most critically endangered doves in the world. Historically, which includes offshore islands, and the specimen type was collected from Fontenoy, on the west coast.
Grenadian culture is a mixture of British, African, West Indian and French influences which has left an indomitable influence in the folklore, dialect, music and general way of life. African heritage is deeply rooted in Grenadian music, dance and festivals. Soca, Calypso, steel pan and DJ music form the heart of the annual carnival.
The world’s first underwater sculpture park is at Moliniere Bay, Grenada, where there are ranges of sculptures. This modern wonder and popular tourist attraction opened up in 2006 to the general public and was founded and created by Jason deCaires Taylor. The Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park is listed as one of the top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic.
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HISTORY
Before the 14th century, the Caribs who displaced the earlier population of Arawaks, settled Grenada. Christopher Columbus during his third voyage to the new world in 1498 sited the island and named it Concepción. The origin of the name "Grenada" is ambiguous but it is likely that Spanish sailors renamed the island for the city of Granada in Spain. The French then adapted Granada to Grenade, and the British followed suit, changing Grenade to Grenada.
European settlement was slow to follow due to the fierce resistance of the warlike Caribs. The island remained un-colonized for more than 150 years although Britain and France fought for control. The French gained control of the island in 1672 and held on to it until the British successfully invaded the island in 1762 during the Seven Years’ War and acquired Grenada by the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Although the French regained control in 1779, the island was restored to Britain in 1783 by the Treaty of Versailles.
During the 18th century, the British established sugar plantations and slave labour was brought in from Africa to work on the estates. Natural disasters in the late 18th century destroyed the sugar fields and paved the way for the introduction of other crops. Cacao, cotton, nutmeg and other valuable spices were introduced and Grenada assumed a new importance to European traders.
Slavery was outlawed in 1834 at which the slave population had reached 24,000. National political consciousness took shape through the labour movement. Grenada joined the Federation of the West Indies in 1958. When that was dissolved in 1962, Grenada evolved first into an Associated State with internal self-government (1967). Independence was achieved in 1974; Grenada became a constitutional monarchy, with a Prime Minister and Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State, represented by the Governor General.
GEOGRAPHY
The State of Grenada lies between Trinidad and Tobago to the south and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the north in the Eastern Caribbean. It is the southern-most of the Windward Islands. It is 100 miles north of Venezuela, 158 miles south-west of Barbados.
Grenada is 12 miles (18km) wide and 21 miles (34km) long and covers a land area of 120 sq. miles (440 sq. km), Carriacou is 13 sq. miles (34 sq. km) and Petite Martinique is 486 acres (194 hectares).
Grenada is divided into 6 parishes:
| Parishes | Town | Area (km2) | Population |
| Saint Patrick | Sauteurs | 42 | 10,504 |
| Saint Mark | Victoria | 25 | 4,408 |
| Saint John | Gouyave | 35 | 8,469 |
| Saint Andrew | Grenville | 99 | 26,501 |
| Saint George | St. George's | 65 | 38,249 |
| Saint David | St. David's | 44 | 12,877 |
| Carriacou (& Petite Martinique) | Hillsborough | 34 | 5,661 |
| SOURCE: City Population | |||
Grenada’s volcanic origin has produced topography of great beauty and environmental variety, ranging from mountainous rainforest to dry lowlands and coastal mangroves. The highest point is Mt. St. Catherine at 2,757 ft. and ancient volcanic craters can be found in the central massif.
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