Geography

• Area: 344 sq. km. (133 sq. mi.);
• Cities: Capital--St. George's (est. pop. 33,734).
• Terrain: Three volcanic islands (Grenada and the smaller islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique) with mountainous rainforest.
• Climate: Tropical.

People

• Nationality: Noun and adjective--Grenadian(s).
• Population (2005 est.): 110,000.
• Annual growth rate (2006): 0.8%.
• Ethnic groups: African descent (82%), some South Asians (East Indians) and Europeans, trace Arawak/Carib Indian.
• Religions: Roman Catholic, various Protestant denominations, Islam, Rastafarianism.
• Languages: English (official).
• Education: Years compulsory--10 grades or age 16. Literacy--95% of adult population.
• Health (2005): Infant mortality rate--17/1,000. Life expectancy--men 63.1 years; women 66.7 years.
• Work force (2006): 48,000.
• Unemployment (2005): 18%.

Government

• Type: Parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth.
• Independence: February 7, 1974.
• Constitution: December 19, 1975.
• Branches: Executive--governor general (representing Queen Elizabeth II, head of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative--bicameral parliament. Judicial--magistrates' courts, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (high court and court of appeals), final appeal to Privy Council in London.
• Subdivisions: Six parishes and two dependencies (Carriacou and Petit Martinique).
• Major political parties:
  • New National Party (NNP), majority;
    Leader: Dr. Keith MITCHELL
    Seats won in this House of Representatives election: 8
    
  • National Democratic Congress (NDC);
    Leader: Tillman THOMAS
    Seats won in this House of Representatives election: 7
    
  • Grenada United Labor Party (GULP).
    
• Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy

• GDP (2006): $408.1 million.
• GDP growth rate (2006): 2.1%.
• Per capita GDP (2006): $3,854.
• Inflation (2005): 3.0%.
• Agriculture: Nutmeg, cocoa, bananas, other fruits, vegetables, mace, and fish.
• Services: Tourism and education.
• Construction: Housing development and tourism renovations.
• Trade (2005): Exports--$39 million (merchandise) and $126 (commercial services). Major markets--European Union (39.4%), United States (23.3%), Saint Lucia (6.3%), Saint Kitts and Nevis (5.2%), and Barbados (4.6%). Imports--$319 million (merchandise) and $93 million (commercial services). Major suppliers--United States (42.6%), Trinidad and Tobago (18.9%), European Union (12.2%), Japan (4.9%), and Barbados (3.3%).
• Official exchange rate: EC$2.70 = U.S. $1.
• Total debt outstanding and disbursed (2005): $437 million.

Principal Government Officials

• Head of State--Queen Elizabeth II
• Governor General--Sir Daniel C. Williams, G.C.M.G., Q.C.
• Prime Minister--Dr. Keith C. Mitchell
• Minister of Foreign Affairs--Elvin Nimrod
• Ambassador to the United States and OAS--Denis G. Antoine
• Ambassador to the United Nations--Angus Friday

Description of electoral system:

• The monarchy is hereditary.
• Grenada has a bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate with 13 seats and the House of Representatives with 15 seats.
• In the Senate, 10 members are appointed by the government and 3 members are chosen by the opposition party to serve 5-year terms.
  
• In the House of Representatives, 15 members are elected by popular vote to serve 5-year terms.

Last Parliamentary election:

• The last parliamentary elections in Grenada were held on November 27, 2003.

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 89,258 (July 2003 est.)
• Registered Voters: 82,270 ( 2003 )