Its dramatic history and vibrant cultural heritage couples Grenada’s natural splendor. First sighted by Colombus in1498, Grenada was already inhabited by the Carib and the Arawak; settlement by Europeans occurred much later when the British tried to establish a toehold in 1609 but were chased off. In 1650 the French came ashore with booze to sooth the fierce Caribs and bought extensive land for beads and knives.
For the next 90 years the French and the English battled for possession of the island. In 1877 Grenada became a Crown Colony and in 1967 an associate state within the Commonwealth before gaining independence in 1974 with Eric Gary. In 1979 an attempt was made by the late Maurice Bishop to set up a socialist/communist state. Then, in 1983, a faction within Bishop’s ruling New Jewel Movement put Bishop under house arrest and was eventually executed with several aides. Today Grenada is a peaceful country and is experiencing many new developments and positive changes.
Local festivals, fairs, and markets remain an integral part of life on Grenada. Its centuries-old spice plantations and rum distilleries still use traditional methods, emphasizing quality rather than quantity. The tourist industry has become more substantial in recent years. The island’s easy lifestyle and the warmth of its friendly Grenadian people evoke an atmosphere that has long gone elsewhere.
