Known as the Spice Island, Grenada is indisputably everyone's idea of tropical splendor. This small nation consists of three islands: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique. Grenada is by far the largest of the three, with a width of twelve miles (18 km) and a length of twenty-one miles (34 km). Its 133 sq. miles (440 sq. km.) are mountainous, volcanic terrain, reaching heights of over 2,750 feet atop Mount St. Catherine. This topography provides Grenada with one of the loveliest and most varied environments in the Caribbean. Saint Georges Harbor - Grenada Saint Georges Harbor - Grenada The three islands of Grenada are located in the Eastern Caribbean at the southern extremity of the Windward islands, only 100 miles north of Venezuala. To the north lie St. Vincent and the Grenadines; to the south Trinidad and Tobago. Grenada is a microcosm of all that's best in the Caribbean. There are silky white beaches, unspoiled rain forests, hills and waterfalls, a breathtakingly beautiful colonial capital town, warm, clear bays for swimming and diving, a passion for food that's a lasting legacy of the early French settlers, peace and quiet for lovers of solitude and a lively nightlife if you want it - all wrapped up in a perfect climate. It's no wonder that the British and the French fought over it so many times. Bordered by stunning beaches, and dotted with picturesque towns, this verdant island has long been a major source of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and cocoa. The seductive drifts through the colourful Saturday markets and Grenada's dense forests. In the interior of this volcanic island are cascading rivers and waterfalls, lush rainforests, and one of the most breathtakingly beautiful mountain lakes imaginable. The capital, St. George's, is widely held to be the loveliest city in the Caribbean. Its horseshoe-shaped harbour is surrounded by a pastel rainbow of dockside warehouses and the red-tiled roofs of traditional shops and homes. Grenada has plenty to offer those interested in offshore pleasure as well, with easily accessible and pristine reefs off the coast of both Grenada and its sister island, Carriacou. The most popular area in Grenada for hiking and trekking is undoubtedly the rainforest around the Grand Etang Forest Reserve, high up in the mountains of the island's interior. Grand Etang's varied elevations and terrains maintain several different ecological subsystems, culminating in the elfin woodlands high up the slopes of the reserve's central mountains. The focal point of the forest reserve is Grand Etang Lake, which fills the crater of one of the island's extinct volcanos. Hikes at Grand Etang range from easy 15-minute jaunts to rigorous expeditions of several hours. The trails are quite good, and the Forest Reserve provides excellent guides. Grenada offers a number of excellent snorkeling and dive locations, many of which are among the last great unexplored dive sites in the Caribbean. The west coast of the island is edged by one long offshore reef, and the reef itself is marked by the 600-foot wreck of the Bianca, a cruiseliner that went down here in 1961. The most convenient snorkeling is found in the area just south of Grand Anse beach. This said, however, visitors should know that the real center of dive activity is around Grenada's sister island, Carriacou. Although largely undeveloped, Carriacou is accessible by boat and plane, offers a number of accommodations, and is encircled by marvellous, pristine reefs. Saint George - Grenada Saint George - Grenada Several bars and most hotels provide some form of entertainment, including Steel Band Music. Other nighttime offerings include folk music, drama, and cultural performances. Grenada's musical calendar features several events for jazz enthusiasts, which are scheduled on short notice, so be on the lookout while you're there. The Village Hotel, near Grand Anse Beach, has Wednesday night jazz sessions, with local and visiting musicians and recorded music; the Grenada Jazz Society holds concerts several times a year at hotels and other venues; and the Hall of Fame Jazz Assembly has Sunday outdoor performances at the Botanical Gardens. Access to Grenada by air is through the Point Salines International Airport on the southwestern tip of the island. British Airways, BWIA, and American Airlines provide direct service to Grenada; connections can be made on other carriers via Trinidad and Barbados. As a Commonwealth Realm, Queen Elizabeth II is recognised as Queen of Grenada. She is represented by a governor general, but real executive power lies with the head of government, the prime minister. Although appointed by the governor general, the prime minister generally is the leader of the largest faction in the parliament. Geography of Grenada Of the Islands the encompess Grenada, Grenada itself is the largest island. Smaller Grenadine Islands include Carriacou, Petit Martinique, Rhonde Island, Caille Island, Diamond Island, Large Island, Saline Island and Frigate Island. Most of the countries population lives on Grenada, and the capital St. George's, Grenville and Gouyave are the largest towns on Grenada. The largest town/village on the other islands is Hillsborough on Carriacou - which is certaily worth taking the ferry for a day trip. Though modernized Carriacou is a throw back to the old-Caribbean. The islands are of volcanic origin, and Grenada's inlands are slightly mountainous, with several small rivers flowing into the sea. The climate is tropical: hot and humid, and Grenada occasionally suffers from hurricanes. The most recent storms to hit have been Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 and Hurricane Emily in July 2005. Scuba Diving in Grenada Grenada OctopusWith more than 30 dive sites, Grenada offers dives a chance to dive sites that are still relatively virgin territory. Grenada's underwater adventures include wrecks, reefs, or be a little adventurous and do a shark dive. The "Bianca C", one of the largest ship wrecks in the Caribbean, gives divers a chance for a deep water wreck dive. The boat is so long that unless water clairity is perfect you can not see from one end of the ship to the other. The only drawback to Grenada diving is water clairity, which can be variable depending on the Atlantic or Orinoco currents. The Orinoco river in Venezuela flows north in the Caribbean/Atlantic. If the current flows due north this makes visibility from Trinidad to Grenada a little less. During the rainy season (June - December) the heavy rains in South America "can" bring the silt flowing out of the Orinoco river via the North Equatorial current. The current also brings nutrients and plankton to Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada and farther north - thus allowing for a healthy reef and fish life. The upside is larger fish life are more prevalant - whales, whale sharks and mantas. Grenada Turtle.jpg Grenada Nurse Shark.jpg Aquanauts_logo.jpgCaribbeanMag.com recommends Aquanauts Grenada for your choice in dive operators. While diving with them in May of 2005 they were professional, friendly, safe and there staff was fantastic. The dive boat, "Salsa", was big and roomy and easy to move about and get ready for each dive. Bruce, one of the dive masters, was always helpful, freindly and knowledgable about the diving in Grenada. Roxann (Roxy) in the front office is both beautiful and a character - and was helpful in all matters! Linda and Peter, the owners, have put togehter a fabulous dive operation in Grenada. They have two locations, on Grand Anse Beach and the main office/dive center is at the True Blue Bay Resort. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/Grenada/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:44:44 EST The three islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are located in the eastern Caribbean at the southern extremity of the Windward Islands, only 100 miles north of Venezuela. To the north lie St. Vincent and the Grenadines and to the south lie Trinidad and Tobago. Grenada is the second-smallest independent country in the Western Hemisphere (after Saint Kitts and Nevis). http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/Grenada/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:44:44 EST Average temperatures range from 24C/75F to 30C/87F, tempered by the steady and cooling trade winds. The lowest temperatures occur between November and February. Because of Grenada's remarkable topography, the island also experiences climate changes according to altitude. The driest season is between January and May. Even during the rainy season, from June to December, it rarely rains for more than an hour at a time and generally not every day. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/weather/Grenada/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:44:44 EST Driving in Grenada is similar to the English system, where driving is on the LEFT. To obtain a local driving permit, a bona fide driver's license must be presented at the traffic department at the Central Police Station on the Carenage. The cost is EC$30.00 or roughly £7. Most car rental firms also issue local permits. There is a network of approximately 650 miles of paved roads and most of the main roads are in good condition. Many of the local roads are not in the best condition. Drives should use caution especially around turns and corners. Many cliff side roads do not have safety barriers to protect drivers from going off a cliff! http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/car_rentals/Grenada/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:44:44 EST Restaurants and Dining: Island cuisine is a mottled fare, but Grenada restaurants and their cuisine are really unique. Nutmeg is the spice of choice and appears in much of what graces the plates on Grenada. Nutmeg adds to the flare of the Creole and other Caribbean influences. Seafood is a must at any restaurant in Grenada but don't skip out on “oildown” (Grenada's national dish), which is a mixture of breadfruit, coconut milk and salted meat. Some Grenadian Dishes * Crab and Callaloo: Crab backs cooked with callaloo and served hot. These are land crabs, not the marine variety. * Pepper pot: several different kinds of meat, beef, oxtail, pork ..... whatever is available, cooked with a lot of pepper, garlic, onions chive and thyme and usually served with rice and peas. * Pig souse: made from the knuckles and trotters and usually with grated cucumber. * Roti: beef, chicken or vegetables, cooked with lots of curry and potatoes and served in a skin. Quite popular, and if done in the Trinidadian way, then it also has Chana (a type of nut). * Lambie souse (conch): If done properly, has a delicious smoky aftertaste and a flavor all its own. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/restaurants/Grenada/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:44:44 EST