Grenada: the Spice Isle

Abstract

Located on the southern end of the Lesser Antilles’ Windward Island chain, the tri-island nation of Grenada is comprised of primarily volcanic islands. Grenada proper retains a mountainous landscape with a variety of volcanic features and fertile soil that supports the island’s agricultural economy and helps to promote tourism. The nation’s other two islands, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, both have mountainous interiors as well (at least for their size), though significantly less population. Grenada’s strategic position made it a desirable territory for both French and English colonial powers, but its landscape gave the Amerindian people an edge in resisting colonization. Though there is little Amerindian cultural presence on the island now, their legacy can be seen around the island in petroglyphs, a few archaeological sites, and with place names like Morne de Sateur’s (Leaper’s Cliff). Today, the landscape supports both the primary industry, agriculture, and the largest portion of the economy, tourism. But these endeavors remain constrained by the islands’ landforms and left to the whims of Nature which plays a grand role in changing the landscape every few decades. As more on-Island studies are completed, general awareness, mitigation, and management of precious resources such as soil, sand, and tourism, will undoubtedly help Grenada to continue to provide for its inhabitants