Geography and Environment of Grenada

Grenada, volcanic in orgin, is referred to as the "Isle of Spice." The most southerly of the Windward Islands, it is situated between 12°N and 61°W, 90 miles north of Trinidad and southwest of Barbados. It is roughly oval shaped, 21 miles long, and about 12 miles wide. The three-island nation includes Carriacou, largest island in the Grenadine chain, and neighboring Petit (pronounced "Petty") Martinique. Grenada comprises 133 square miles of rugged, mountainous terrain, with lush tropical rain forest and little lowland. Its central mountains rise about 2,000 feet above sea level. More spices per square mile are grown here than in any other place in the world. The clear, clean air is sometimes fragrant with their aroma. Carriacou has an area of 13 square miles and has similar geographical characteristics but lower elevations (nearly 1,000 feet). Petit Martinique, with a population of 700, has no tourist facilities but is famous for boat building.

Detailed geography