One of the smallest independent countries in the western hemisphere, Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year.

PEOPLE
Most of Grenada's population is of African descent; there is some trace of the early Arawak and Carib Indians. A few East Indians and a small community of the descendants of early European settlers reside in Grenada. About 50% of Grenada's population is under the age of 30. English is the official language; only a few people still speak French patois. A more significant reminder of Grenada's historical link with France is the strength of the Roman Catholic Church to which about 60% of Grenadians belong. The Anglican Church is the largest Protestant denomination.

HISTORY
Before the arrival of Europeans, Grenada was inhabited by Carib Indians who had driven the more peaceful Arawaks from the island. Columbus landed on Grenada in 1498 during his third voyage to the new world. He named the island "Concepcion." The origin of the name "Grenada" is obscure, but it is likely that Spanish sailors renamed the island for the city of Granada. By the beginning of the 18th century, the name "Grenada," or "la Grenade" in French, was in common use.

ECONOMY
The economy of Grenada is based upon agricultural production (nutmeg, mace, cocoa, and bananas) and tourism. Agriculture accounts for over half of merchandise exports, and a large portion of the population is employed directly or indirectly in agriculture. Recently the performance of the agricultural sector has not been good. Grenada's banana exports declined markedly in volume and quality in 1996, and it is a question to what extent the country will remain a banana exporter. Tourism remains the key earner of foreign exchange.

Full country name: Grenada
Area: 133 sq miles (340 sq km)
Population: 97,600 (growth rate 0.66%)
Capital city: St George's (pop 30,000)
People: African descent (82%), mixed descent (13%), European and East Indian (5%)
Language: English, French-African patois
Religion: Roman Catholic (60%), Protestant, Baha'i
Government: Independent state within the British Commonwealth
Governor General: Daniel Williams
Prime Minister: Keith C Mitchell
GDP: US$340 million
GDP per head: US$3,500
Major industries: Food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction
Major trading partners: US, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Trinidad, Tobago