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Coordinates: 12°3′N 61°45′W / 12.050°N 61.750°W / 12.050; -61.750
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{{short description|Capital of Grenada}}
{{short description|Capital of Grenada}}
{{other uses|St. George (disambiguation)}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|name = St. George's
| name = St. George's
|official_name =
| official_name =
|settlement_type = Town (functioning as a city)
| settlement_type = [[Capital city]]
|nickname =
| nickname =
|motto =
| motto = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage

| photo1a = 2009_07-28_St._George's_Bay_(4).JPG
<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline = File:The City of St. George's, Grenada - February 2020.jpg
| photo2a = St Georges Grenada Fort - panoramio.jpg
|imagesize = 300px
| photo2b = Kathedrale_von_St._George%27s_auf_Grenada.jpg
|image_caption = Town of St. George's
| photo3a = Parliament House on Church Street C IMG 0521.JPG
|image_flag =
| photo3b = Saint_George,_Grenada_(51231575268).jpg
|image_seal =
| spacing = 2
| position = center

| color_border = white
<!-- Maps -->
|pushpin_map = <!-- Grenada -->
| color = white
| size = 280
|pushpin_label_position = right
| foot_montage = Top: St. George's skyline; Middle: Fort George, St. George's Cathedral; Bottom: [[York House, Grenada|Grenada's former Parliament House]], St. George's Beach
|pushpin_map_caption = St. George's location
}}
|image_map = Gj-map.gif
|map_caption = St.George within Grenada
<!-- Maps -->| pushpin_map = <!-- Grenada -->
| pushpin_label_position = right

| pushpin_map_caption = St. George's location
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type = Country
| image_map = Gj-map.gif
|subdivision_name = [[Grenada]]
| map_caption = St.George within Grenada
|subdivision_type1 = [[Parish of Grenada|Parish]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Saint George Parish, Grenada|Saint George]]
|subdivision_type2 =
|subdivision_name2 =
|seat_type = [[County seat|Shiretown]]
|seat =
|government_footnotes =
|leader_title =
|leader_name =
|leader_party =
|established_title =
|established_date =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes =
|area_total_km2 =


<!-- Location -->| subdivision_type = Country
<!-- Population -->
| subdivision_name = [[Grenada]]
|population_as_of = 2012
| subdivision_type1 = [[Parish of Grenada|Parish]]
|population_footnotes =
| subdivision_name1 = [[Saint George Parish, Grenada|Saint George]]
|population_total = 33,734<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/north-central-america/grenada/|title=Grenada Today|author=UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office|date=28 February 2012|publisher=UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office|access-date=6 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708202829/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/north-central-america/grenada|archive-date=8 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| subdivision_type2 =
|population_density_km2 = auto
| subdivision_name2 =
| seat_type = [[County seat|Shiretown]]
| seat =
| government_footnotes =
| leader_title = MP
| leader_name = [[Peter David (politician)|Peter David]]
| leader_party =
| established_title = First settled
| established_date = <!-- Area --> 1650
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = <!-- Population -->
| population_as_of = 2012
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 33,734<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/north-central-america/grenada/|title=Grenada Today|author=UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office|date=28 February 2012|publisher=UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office|access-date=6 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708202829/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/north-central-america/grenada|archive-date=8 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto


<!-- General information -->
<!-- General information -->| timezone = [[UTC-4]]
| elevation_footnotes =
|timezone = [[UTC-4]]
|elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| coordinates = {{coord|12|3|N|61|45|W|region:GD_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_m =
| postal_code_type =
|coordinates = {{coord|12|3|N|61|45|W|region:GD_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
|postal_code =
| area_code =
|area_code =
| website =
|website =
| footnotes =
|footnotes =
}}
}}


'''St. George's''' ([[Grenadian Creole French]]: ''Sen Jòj'') is the [[capital city|capital]] of [[Grenada]]. The town is surrounded by a hillside of an old [[volcano]] crater and is located on a horseshoe-shaped harbour.
'''St. George's''' ([[Grenadian Creole French]]: ''Sen Jòj'') is the [[capital city|capital]] of [[Grenada]]. The town is surrounded by a hillside of an old [[volcano]] crater and is located on a horseshoe-shaped harbour.


St. George's is a popular [[Caribbean]] tourist destination. The town has developed in recent years,{{when|date=May 2017}} while preserving its history, culture, and natural environment.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} The parish in which Sen Jòj (Saint George's) is located, is the home of [[St. George's University|St. George’s University School of Medicine]] and [[Maurice Bishop International Airport]]. The main exports are cocoa bean (cacao), nutmeg, and mace spice.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arnold |first1=Guy |title=The Resources of the Third World |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-91798-2 |page=343 |language=en}}</ref>
St. George's is a popular [[Caribbean]] tourist destination. The town has developed in recent years,{{when|date=May 2017}} while preserving its history, culture, and natural environment.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} The parish in which St George's is located, is the home of [[St. George's University|St. George’s University School of Medicine]] and [[Maurice Bishop International Airport]]. The main exports are cocoa bean (cacao), nutmeg, and mace spice.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arnold |first1=Guy |title=The Resources of the Third World |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-91798-2 |page=343 |language=en}}</ref>


It has a moderate tropical climate that ensures the success of spice production. Nutmegs are a key crop, followed by spices such as cocoa, mace, cloves, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger.
It has a moderate tropical climate that ensures the success of spice production. Nutmeg is a key crop, followed by spices such as cocoa, mace, cloves, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger.


== History ==
== History ==
Line 75: Line 72:
St. George's was founded by the [[France|French]] in 1650 when "La Grenade" ([[Grenada]]) was colonised by [[Jacques Dyel du Parquet]], the governor of [[Martinique]]. The French began their colonisation with a series of skirmishes that virtually exterminated the island's native Carib population.
St. George's was founded by the [[France|French]] in 1650 when "La Grenade" ([[Grenada]]) was colonised by [[Jacques Dyel du Parquet]], the governor of [[Martinique]]. The French began their colonisation with a series of skirmishes that virtually exterminated the island's native Carib population.


In 1666, a wooden [[fortification]] was constructed by French colonists on a promontory overlooking Grenada's natural harbour and named ''Fort Royale''. In 1705, work started on a new [[star fort]] on the same site, with four stone-built [[bastion]]s, to the design of Jean de Giou de Caylus, the Chief Engineer of the "Islands of America" the [[French West Indies]]. It was completed in 1710.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forts.org/history.htm |title=A Short History of Fort George, St. George’s, Grenada |last1=Zimmerman |first1=J David |date=20 April 2005 |website=www.forts.org |publisher=Portcullis Limited |access-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022114709/http://www.forts.org/history.htm |archive-date=22 October 2014}}</ref>
In 1666, a wooden [[fortification]] was constructed by French colonists on a promontory overlooking Grenada's natural harbour and named ''Fort Royale''. In 1705, work started on a new [[star fort]] on the same site, with four stone-built [[bastion]]s, to the design of Jean de Giou de Caylus, the Chief Engineer of the "Islands of America" the [[French West Indies]]. It was completed in 1710.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forts.org/history.htm |title=A Short History of Fort George, St. George's, Grenada |last1=Zimmerman |first1=J David |date=20 April 2005 |website=www.forts.org |publisher=Portcullis Limited |access-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022114709/http://www.forts.org/history.htm |archive-date=22 October 2014}}</ref>


Meanwhile, the original colonial settlement at the eastern edge of the harbour called ''Saint Louis'' after King [[Louis IX of France]], later known as Port Louis, was found to be subject to flooding and [[malaria]], so a new town was constructed called ''Ville de Fort Royal'' ("Fort Royal Town"). When the island was ceded to [[Great Britain]] by the [[Treaty of Paris 1763|Treaty of Paris]] in 1763, the new administration renamed it [[Saint George]]'s Town, after the [[patron saint]] of England and ''Fort Royal'' was renamed Fort George, after [[George III of Great Britain|King George III]].<ref>Crask, Paul (2009), [https://books.google.com/books?id=uTPnC0dGETMC&pg=PA92&dq=grenada+Fort+Royal+St+George%27s+Town&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KZASU_m2Asaihgec_IGADQ&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=grenada%20Fort%20Royal%20St%20George's%20Town&f=false ''Grenada: Carriacou - Petite Martinique''] Bradt Travel Guides Ltd {{ISBN|978-1-84162-401-3}} (p. 92)</ref> On 1 November 1775 there was a fire in the town of St. George's known as the great fire of St George's. After the great fire of 1771, most of the boarding houses on Granby Street were moved to [[Gouyave]].
Meanwhile, the original colonial settlement at the eastern edge of the harbour called ''Saint Louis'' after King [[Louis IX of France]], later known as Port Louis, was found to be subject to flooding and [[malaria]], so a new town was constructed called ''Ville de Fort Royal'' ("Fort Royal Town"). When the island was ceded to [[Great Britain]] by the [[Treaty of Paris 1763|Treaty of Paris]] in 1763, the new administration renamed it [[Saint George]]'s Town, after the [[patron saint]] of England and ''Fort Royal'' was renamed Fort George, after [[George III of Great Britain|King George III]].<ref>Crask, Paul (2009), [https://books.google.com/books?id=uTPnC0dGETMC&dq=grenada+Fort+Royal+St+George%27s+Town&pg=PA92 ''Grenada: Carriacou - Petite Martinique''] Bradt Travel Guides Ltd {{ISBN|978-1-84162-401-3}} (p. 92)</ref> On 1 November 1775 there was a fire in the town of St. George's known as the great fire of St George's. After the great fire of 1771, most of the boarding houses on Granby Street were moved to [[Gouyave]].


Following the withdrawal of [[Bridgetown]], [[Barbados]], in the mid-1880s, St. George's went on to become the replacement capital of the former colony of the [[British Windward Islands]].
Following the withdrawal of [[Bridgetown]], [[Barbados]], in the mid-1880s, St. George's went on to become the replacement capital of the former colony of the [[British Windward Islands]].


The Tikal was the first art cater shop in Grenada and it was opened in December 1959. Grenada achieved independence from Britain in 1974. Following a leftist coup in 1983, the island [[Invasion of Grenada|was invaded]] by [[United States|U. S.]] troops and a pro USA government was reinstated. In 2004, St. George's and the rest of Grenada was 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 island's 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 (Canada, the United States, China, Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, and the [[European Union]]) Grenada had experienced a significant turn around in rebuilding efforts. By 2007, Grenada had participated as planned in the hosting of the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]]. Now St. George's is one of the top 10 Yacht destinations.
The Tikal was the first art cater shop in Grenada and it was opened in December 1959. Grenada achieved independence from Britain in 1974. Following a leftist coup in 1983, the island [[Invasion of Grenada|was invaded]] by [[United States|U. S.]] troops and a pro-USA government was reinstated. In 2004, St. George's and the rest of Grenada was 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 island's 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 (Canada, the United States, China, Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, and the [[European Union]]) Grenada had experienced a significant turn around in rebuilding efforts. By 2007, Grenada had participated as planned in the hosting of the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]]. Now St. George's is one of the top 10 Yacht destinations.


== Culture ==
== Culture ==
Line 87: Line 84:


== Climate ==
== Climate ==
St. George's has a humid [[tropical savannah climate]]. The average temperature is about {{convert|31|°C|0}}. The wettest period is from July to November. There are short spells of rain in the drier period but they last no more than 5 minutes or so. Gray clouds over the mountains are the first sign of rain. The island in general often seems hotter than it is due to the humid climate and powerful equatorial UV rays.
St. George's has a humid [[tropical marine climate]] but has the influences of a [[tropical rainforest climate]], with a [[wet season]] (June to November) and a noticeably [[dry season]] (December to May). St. George's sees frequent thunderstorms and occasional hurricanes from easterlies, while winter is marginally cooler and somewhat drier. The feeling of heat is exacerbated from the strong equatorial UV rays and high humidity all year.
{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location = St. George's
| location = St. George's, Grenada ([[Maurice Bishop International Airport]]) (1991-2020)
|metric first = y
| metric first = y
|single line = y
| single line = y
| Jan high C = 29.7

|Jan high C = 30
| Feb high C = 29.7
|Feb high C = 30
| Mar high C = 30.0
|Mar high C = 30
| Apr high C = 30.5
|Apr high C = 31
| May high C = 30.8
|May high C = 32
| Jun high C = 30.6
|Jun high C = 31
| Jul high C = 30.6
|Jul high C = 31
| Aug high C = 31.0
|Aug high C = 31
| Sep high C = 31.3
|Sep high C = 32
| Oct high C = 31.1
|Oct high C = 31
| Nov high C = 30.7
|Nov high C = 31
| Dec high C = 30.2
|Dec high C = 30
| year high C =
| Jan mean C = 26.5

| Feb mean C = 26.6

|Jan low C = 23
| Mar mean C = 26.9
|Feb low C = 23
| Apr mean C = 27.6
|Mar low C = 23
| May mean C = 28.1
|Apr low C = 25
| Jun mean C = 27.9
|May low C = 25
| Jul mean C = 27.7
|Jun low C = 25
| Aug mean C = 28.0
|Jul low C = 25
| Sep mean C = 28.3
|Aug low C = 25
| Oct mean C = 28.0
|Sep low C = 25
| Nov mean C = 27.6
|Oct low C = 25
| Dec mean C = 27.0
|Nov low C = 24
| year mean C =
|Dec low C = 24
| Jan low C = 23.3
| Feb low C = 23.4

| Mar low C = 23.9

| Apr low C = 24.8

| May low C = 25.4
|Jan precipitation mm = 115
| Jun low C = 25.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 80
| Jul low C = 24.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 65
| Aug low C = 25.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 70
| Sep low C = 25.3
|May precipitation mm = 115
| Oct low C = 25.0
|Jun precipitation mm = 220
| Nov low C = 24.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 230
| Dec low C = 23.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 220
| year low C =
|Sep precipitation mm = 200
| Jan record high C = 32.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 245
| Feb record high C = 32.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 245
| Mar record high C = 33.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 175
| Apr record high C = 32.9

| May record high C = 33.2
|Jan rain days = 14
| Jun record high C = 33.1
|Feb rain days = 9
| Jul record high C = 33.0
|Mar rain days = 10
| Aug record high C = 33.3
|Apr rain days = 7
| Sep record high C = 34.0
|May rain days = 13
| Oct record high C = 33.7
|Jun rain days = 17
| Nov record high C = 33.5
|Jul rain days = 20
| Dec record high C = 32.7
|Aug rain days = 18
|Sep rain days = 17
| Jan record low C = 19.4
|Oct rain days = 20
| Feb record low C = 20.1
|Nov rain days = 20
| Mar record low C = 20.4
|Dec rain days = 18
| Apr record low C = 20.6
|unit rain days = 1.0&nbsp;mm
| May record low C = 22.0
| Jun record low C = 21.2

| Jul record low C = 20.7
|Jan humidity = 84
| Aug record low C = 21.7
|Feb humidity = 81
| Sep record low C = 21.7
|Mar humidity = 80
| Oct record low C = 21.9
|Apr humidity = 80
| Nov record low C = 21.7
|May humidity = 81
| Dec record low C = 19.9
|Jun humidity = 83
| precipitation colour = green
|Jul humidity = 84
| Jan precipitation mm = 64.4
|Aug humidity = 85
| Feb precipitation mm = 38.6
|Sep humidity = 85
| Mar precipitation mm = 25.6
|Oct humidity = 86
| Apr precipitation mm = 36.4
|Nov humidity = 87
| May precipitation mm = 52.8
|Dec humidity = 85
| Jun precipitation mm = 126.5

| Jul precipitation mm = 123.2
|Jand sun = 7
| Aug precipitation mm = 142.6
|Febd sun = 8
| Sep precipitation mm = 122.0
|Mard sun = 8
| Oct precipitation mm = 149.9
|Aprd sun = 8
| Nov precipitation mm = 164.4
|Mayd sun = 8
| Dec precipitation mm = 105.3
|Jund sun = 7
|Jan precipitation days = 10.6
|Juld sun = 6
|Feb precipitation days = 6.9
|Augd sun = 7
|Mar precipitation days = 5.3
|Sepd sun = 7
|Apr precipitation days = 5.0
|Octd sun = 7
|May precipitation days = 7.0
|Novd sun = 6
|Jun precipitation days = 14.3
|Decd sun = 6
|Jul precipitation days = 15.3
|yeard sun =
|Aug precipitation days = 14.9

|Sep precipitation days = 11.3
|source 1 = <ref name="intellicast">{{cite web|url=http://www.intellicast.com/|publisher=intellicast.com|title=Intellicast - Local and National Weather Forecast, Radar, Maps and Severe Report|access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> Intellicast.com
|Oct precipitation days = 14.2
|source 2 = <ref name="Climatestotravel">{{cite web|url=https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/grenada|publisher=climatestotravel|title=Climate of St. George's|access-date=9 December 2021}}</ref> Climatestotravel.com (precipitation, rainy days, humidity, sun) }}
|Nov precipitation days = 14.7
|Dec precipitation days = 12.0
|year precipitation days =
|unit precipitation days = 1 mm
|source = NOAA<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-4-WMO-Normals-9120/Grenada/CSV/MauriceBishopIntlAirport_78958.csv
| title = Maurice Bishop Intl Airport Climate Normals 1991–2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = August 14, 2023
}}</ref>
}}


==Spices==
==Spices==


=== Nutmeg & mace ===
=== Nutmeg & mace ===
Nutmeg and mace come from the fruit of the aromatic Myrristica fragrans tree. The alien tree was adopted as from 3 March 1967<ref name="grenada-history">{{cite web|url=http://www.grenada-history.org/nutmeg.htm|publisher=grenada-history.org|title=Grenada Nutmegs|access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> to the Spice Island. The tree is an evergreen with dark green leaves and small yellow flowers, and grows up to 12 meters tall. It starts bearing fruit after seven or eight years and continues to do so for up to 40 years. The fruit looks like an apricot and when ripe, slit to reveal a walnut-sized seed. Covering the shell of the seed are lacy, red-orange strips, which are mace, and inside the shell is the seed itself - nutmeg. It is used extensively for cooking to enhance the flavor of cakes, soups, desserts, drinks and sauces.
Nutmeg and mace come from the fruit of the aromatic [[Myristica fragrans]] tree. The tree was introduced on 3 March 1967<ref name="grenada-history">{{cite web|url=http://www.grenada-history.org/nutmeg.htm|publisher=grenada-history.org|title=Grenada Nutmegs|access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> to the Spice Island. The Nutmeg Tree is an evergreen with dark green leaves and small yellow flowers, and grows up to 12 meters tall. It starts bearing fruit after seven or eight years and continues to do so for up to 40 years. The fruit looks like an apricot and when ripe, it splits open to reveal a walnut-sized seed. The seed coverings are lacy, red-orange strips, which are made into mace powder; the seed itself is ground down into nutmeg powder. It is used extensively for cooking to enhance the flavor of cakes, soups, desserts, drinks and sauces.


=== Cinnamon ===
=== Cinnamon ===
Line 191: Line 199:


=== Sugar cane ===
=== Sugar cane ===
From June to December, cuttings from the tops of cane are laid in holes about five inches deep by five feet square then covered with soil. As the cane grows taller, fertiliser is used. Between planting and harvesting, bananas, corn, peas, potatoes, and other crops are cultivated. January to May, the ripe cane are cut and delivered to the mill to be ground. Boiling and clarifying the cane juice is the next operation. The juice is strained after grinding and then taken to the clarifying copper to be boiled. (Wood coal is the main source fuel). Lime is added to speed up the operation. The liquid sugar is put into coolers for about 14 hours. The molasses is then drained off and taken to the still house to be made into rum.
From June to December, cuttings from the tops of cane are laid in holes about {{convert|13|cm}} deep by {{convert|0.46|sqm|0}} then covered with soil. As the cane grows taller, fertiliser is used. Between planting and harvesting, bananas, corn, peas, potatoes, and other crops are cultivated. January to May, the ripe cane are cut and delivered to the mill to be ground. Boiling and clarifying the cane juice is the next operation. The juice is strained after grinding and then taken to the clarifying copper to be boiled. (Wood coal is the main source fuel). Lime is added to speed up the operation. The liquid sugar is put into coolers for about 14 hours. The molasses is then drained off and taken to the still house to be made into rum.


== Transportation and customs ==
== Transportation and customs ==
Line 208: Line 216:


== Main sites ==
== Main sites ==
[[File:StGeorgesGrenada2000.jpg|thumb|right|350px]]
[[File:The_Carenage_Grenada.jpg|thumb|right|The Carenage.|350px]]


=== St. Margaret's Falls ===
=== St. Margaret's Falls ===

Revision as of 21:42, 4 September 2024

St. George's
Capital city
Top: St. George's skyline; Middle: Fort George, St. George's Cathedral; Bottom: Grenada's former Parliament House, St. George's Beach
St.George within Grenada
St.George within Grenada
Coordinates: 12°3′N 61°45′W / 12.050°N 61.750°W / 12.050; -61.750
CountryGrenada
ParishSaint George
First settled1650
Government
 • MPPeter David
Population
 (2012)
 • Total33,734[1]
Time zoneUTC-4

St. George's (Grenadian Creole French: Sen Jòj) is the capital of Grenada. The town is surrounded by a hillside of an old volcano crater and is located on a horseshoe-shaped harbour.

St. George's is a popular Caribbean tourist destination. The town has developed in recent years,[when?] while preserving its history, culture, and natural environment.[citation needed] The parish in which St George's is located, is the home of St. George’s University School of Medicine and Maurice Bishop International Airport. The main exports are cocoa bean (cacao), nutmeg, and mace spice.[2]

It has a moderate tropical climate that ensures the success of spice production. Nutmeg is a key crop, followed by spices such as cocoa, mace, cloves, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger.

History

The island of Grenada and port Saint-Georges in 1776.
An aerial photo of the capital St George's.

St. George's was founded by the French in 1650 when "La Grenade" (Grenada) was colonised by Jacques Dyel du Parquet, the governor of Martinique. The French began their colonisation with a series of skirmishes that virtually exterminated the island's native Carib population.

In 1666, a wooden fortification was constructed by French colonists on a promontory overlooking Grenada's natural harbour and named Fort Royale. In 1705, work started on a new star fort on the same site, with four stone-built bastions, to the design of Jean de Giou de Caylus, the Chief Engineer of the "Islands of America" the French West Indies. It was completed in 1710.[3]

Meanwhile, the original colonial settlement at the eastern edge of the harbour called Saint Louis after King Louis IX of France, later known as Port Louis, was found to be subject to flooding and malaria, so a new town was constructed called Ville de Fort Royal ("Fort Royal Town"). When the island was ceded to Great Britain by the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the new administration renamed it Saint George's Town, after the patron saint of England and Fort Royal was renamed Fort George, after King George III.[4] On 1 November 1775 there was a fire in the town of St. George's known as the great fire of St George's. After the great fire of 1771, most of the boarding houses on Granby Street were moved to Gouyave.

Following the withdrawal of Bridgetown, Barbados, in the mid-1880s, St. George's went on to become the replacement capital of the former colony of the British Windward Islands.

The Tikal was the first art cater shop in Grenada and it was opened in December 1959. Grenada achieved independence from Britain in 1974. Following a leftist coup in 1983, the island was invaded by U. S. troops and a pro-USA government was reinstated. In 2004, St. George's and the rest of Grenada was 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 island's 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 (Canada, the United States, China, Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, and the European Union) Grenada had experienced a significant turn around in rebuilding efforts. By 2007, Grenada had participated as planned in the hosting of the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Now St. George's is one of the top 10 Yacht destinations.

Culture

Carnival takes place the second week in August. This festival celebrates the emancipation of slaves. The Sunday night celebrations continue into the early morning hours on Monday. On Monday a carnival pageant is held on stage at Queen's Park, where costumes, themes and calypso queens are judged. On Tuesday, St. George's vibrates to the sounds of the calypso steel bands as they parade through the streets.

Climate

St. George's has a humid tropical marine climate but has the influences of a tropical rainforest climate, with a wet season (June to November) and a noticeably dry season (December to May). St. George's sees frequent thunderstorms and occasional hurricanes from easterlies, while winter is marginally cooler and somewhat drier. The feeling of heat is exacerbated from the strong equatorial UV rays and high humidity all year.

Climate data for St. George's, Grenada (Maurice Bishop International Airport) (1991-2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 32.0
(89.6) 		32.0
(89.6) 		33.4
(92.1) 		32.9
(91.2) 		33.2
(91.8) 		33.1
(91.6) 		33.0
(91.4) 		33.3
(91.9) 		34.0
(93.2) 		33.7
(92.7) 		33.5
(92.3) 		32.7
(90.9) 		34.0
(93.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.7
(85.5) 		29.7
(85.5) 		30.0
(86.0) 		30.5
(86.9) 		30.8
(87.4) 		30.6
(87.1) 		30.6
(87.1) 		31.0
(87.8) 		31.3
(88.3) 		31.1
(88.0) 		30.7
(87.3) 		30.2
(86.4) 		30.5
(86.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.5
(79.7) 		26.6
(79.9) 		26.9
(80.4) 		27.6
(81.7) 		28.1
(82.6) 		27.9
(82.2) 		27.7
(81.9) 		28.0
(82.4) 		28.3
(82.9) 		28.0
(82.4) 		27.6
(81.7) 		27.0
(80.6) 		27.5
(81.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23.3
(73.9) 		23.4
(74.1) 		23.9
(75.0) 		24.8
(76.6) 		25.4
(77.7) 		25.1
(77.2) 		24.9
(76.8) 		25.0
(77.0) 		25.3
(77.5) 		25.0
(77.0) 		24.5
(76.1) 		23.9
(75.0) 		24.5
(76.2)
Record low °C (°F) 19.4
(66.9) 		20.1
(68.2) 		20.4
(68.7) 		20.6
(69.1) 		22.0
(71.6) 		21.2
(70.2) 		20.7
(69.3) 		21.7
(71.1) 		21.7
(71.1) 		21.9
(71.4) 		21.7
(71.1) 		19.9
(67.8) 		19.4
(66.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 64.4
(2.54) 		38.6
(1.52) 		25.6
(1.01) 		36.4
(1.43) 		52.8
(2.08) 		126.5
(4.98) 		123.2
(4.85) 		142.6
(5.61) 		122.0
(4.80) 		149.9
(5.90) 		164.4
(6.47) 		105.3
(4.15) 		1,151.7
(45.34)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 10.6 6.9 5.3 5.0 7.0 14.3 15.3 14.9 11.3 14.2 14.7 12.0 131.5
Source: NOAA[5]

Spices

Nutmeg & mace

Nutmeg and mace come from the fruit of the aromatic Myristica fragrans tree. The tree was introduced on 3 March 1967[6] to the Spice Island. The Nutmeg Tree is an evergreen with dark green leaves and small yellow flowers, and grows up to 12 meters tall. It starts bearing fruit after seven or eight years and continues to do so for up to 40 years. The fruit looks like an apricot and when ripe, it splits open to reveal a walnut-sized seed. The seed coverings are lacy, red-orange strips, which are made into mace powder; the seed itself is ground down into nutmeg powder. It is used extensively for cooking to enhance the flavor of cakes, soups, desserts, drinks and sauces.

Cinnamon

This comes from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree (Cinnamonum verum). Whole or ground, it is a popular household spice internationally. It is used to flavor beverages and cakes.

Clove

This dried flavored flower bud, whole or ground (Syzygium aromaticum) is used at home to season hams, sausages, meats, mincemeat pies, fish, turtle preserves and pickles.

Sugar cane

From June to December, cuttings from the tops of cane are laid in holes about 13 centimetres (5.1 in) deep by 0.46 square metres (5 sq ft) then covered with soil. As the cane grows taller, fertiliser is used. Between planting and harvesting, bananas, corn, peas, potatoes, and other crops are cultivated. January to May, the ripe cane are cut and delivered to the mill to be ground. Boiling and clarifying the cane juice is the next operation. The juice is strained after grinding and then taken to the clarifying copper to be boiled. (Wood coal is the main source fuel). Lime is added to speed up the operation. The liquid sugar is put into coolers for about 14 hours. The molasses is then drained off and taken to the still house to be made into rum.

Transportation and customs

Private boats and yachts can complete customs and immigration processing in St. George's and Prickly Bay, Lance Aux Epines as well as in Carriacou. Travellers passing through Grenada are required to have a passport. Those whose travel involves stay over in other countries, should check on entry requirements for those countries. There is also a bus terminal for island wide transport.

Hospitals

Main sites

The Carenage.

St. Margaret's Falls

So named because it passes by seven of Grand Etang's mountain waterfalls, which are nestled in the emerald vegetation of the rain forest. The trail takes about three hours, even for experienced hikers.

Roman Catholic cathedral

The tower of St. George's Cathedral was built in 1818. The interior of the church is painted in bright colours.

Anglican church

Reconstructed Anglican Church in 2019.

St. George's Anglican Church was built in 1825, and a clock was later added in 1904 which plays the Westminster chimes on the hour. The church laid in ruin for a decade following heavy damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, when it continued to be used informally by locals for both prayer as well as school classes. Following several years of reconstruction work since the mid-2010s, the building returned to its function as a church.

Fort George

Located on the promontory to the west of the harbour is Fort George. Built in 1705 by the French, many of the buildings are now used by the police. One of the rooms has been converted to a gym and another to a sort of sewing room. Much of the fort is still intact and open to visitors.

However, the buildings are very dilapidated, from a combination of hurricane damage and neglect, and there is little or no information within the fort itself. There's a good view from the battlements. There is a $2.00 per person fee to visit the Fort.

Grenada National Museum

The Grenada National Museum is housed in French barracks, which date from 1704, and which later served as a prison. The building was also used as the island's first hotel. The museum displays a variety of historical items including Carib and Arawak artefacts, sugar processing machines and equipment, whaling industry items, and Josephine Bonaparte's marble bath.

Other sites

  • National Cricket Stadium
  • St. Georges fresh produce marketplace
  • Grande Anse beach, shopping centres, hotels
  • Maurice Bishop International Airport (Point(e) Saline)
  • Parliament Building, also known as York House, houses the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme Court
  • Governor General Residence, government offices
  • Fort Frederick Fort Complex

References

  1. ^ UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (28 February 2012). "Grenada Today". UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  2. ^ Arnold, Guy (2014). The Resources of the Third World. Routledge. p. 343. ISBN 978-1-135-91798-2.
  3. ^ Zimmerman, J David (20 April 2005). "A Short History of Fort George, St. George's, Grenada". www.forts.org. Portcullis Limited. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  4. ^ Crask, Paul (2009), Grenada: Carriacou - Petite Martinique Bradt Travel Guides Ltd ISBN 978-1-84162-401-3 (p. 92)
  5. ^ "Maurice Bishop Intl Airport Climate Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Grenada Nutmegs". grenada-history.org. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  • "Grenada Vacations Caribbean Travel - Grenada St. George Grenada Holidays." Caribbean Vacations - Official Site of the Caribbean. 2011. Web. 3 Mar. 2011.
  • "Virtual Tourist. "Saint George Hotels." Virtual Tourist. 2011. Web. 3 Mar. 2011.
  • AAA. Caribbean Travel Book: Including Bermuda. Heathrow, FA, : AAA, 2001. Print.
  • Ins & Outs of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 2004 ed. St. Thomas, Barbados: Miller, 2004. Print.
  • Martinique, Petit. "Grenada." Travellers Guide. 2003. Map
  • Quashie, Lesley. "The Festivals of St. Vincent & he Grenadines." Ins & Outs of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 2004 ed. St. Thomas, Barbados: Miller, 2004. 8–10. Print.
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