Grenada

Quick Facts: Who was Grenada?

Subject:

Grenada

Known for:

Caribbean island nation known as the "Island of Spice" for its nutmeg and mace.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Grenada is an archipelagic country of the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The southernmost of the Windward Islands, Grenada is directly south of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and about 100 miles (160 km) north of Trinidad and the South American mainland. Grenada consists of the island of Grenada itself, two smaller islands, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and several small islands that lie to the north of the main island and are a part of the Grenadines. Its size is 344 square kilometres (133 sq mi), with an estimated population of 117,362 as of 2026. Its capital is St. George's.

Career & Major Achievements

Grenada is also known as the "Island of Spice" due to its production of nutmeg and mace. Before the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, Grenada was inhabited by Indigenous peoples from South America called Kalinago. Christopher Columbus sighted Grenada in 1498 during his third voyage to the Americas. Following several unsuccessful attempts by Europeans to colonise the island, due to resistance from resident Kalinago people, French settlement and colonisation began in 1649 and continued for the next century. Between 1669 and 1808, according to the Voyages database, approximately 127,600 African slaves were brought to Grenada by the British and French.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On 10 February 1763, Grenada was ceded to the British under the Treaty of Paris. British rule continued until 1974 (except for a brief French takeover between 1779 and 1783). From 1958 to 1962, Grenada was part of the Federation of the West Indies, a short-lived federation of British West Indian colonies. On 3 March 1967, it was granted full autonomy over its internal affairs as an Associated State. Independence was granted on 7 February 1974 under the leadership of Eric Gairy, who became the first prime minister of Grenada as a sovereign state.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1498: 1498 Milestone — Christopher Columbus sighted Grenada in 1498 during his third voyage to the Americas.
2. 1649: 1649 Milestone — Following several unsuccessful attempts by Europeans to colonise the island, due to resistance from resident Kalinago people, French settlement and colonisation began in 1649 and continued for the next century.
3. 1669: 1669 Milestone — Between 1669 and 1808, according to the Voyages database, approximately 127,600 African slaves were brought to Grenada by the British and French.
4. 1763: 1763 Milestone — On 10 February 1763, Grenada was ceded to the British under the Treaty of Paris.
5. 1958: 1958 Milestone — From 1958 to 1962, Grenada was part of the Federation of the West Indies, a short-lived federation of British West Indian colonies.
6. 1967: 1967 Milestone — On 3 March 1967, it was granted full autonomy over its internal affairs as an Associated State.
7. 1974: 1974 Milestone — British rule continued until 1974 (except for a brief French takeover between 1779 and 1783).
8. 2026: 2026 Milestone — Its size is 344 square kilometres (133 sq mi), with an estimated population of 117,362 as of 2026.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Grenada

True or False: “Did Christopher Columbus name Grenada 'La Concepción' during his third voyage in 1498?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text explicitly states that Columbus sighted Grenada and named it 'La Concepción' on his third voyage.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Grenada