11 Facts About Grenada: Explore The Less Known

Grenada Flag Map (Credit: Pixabay)

Grenada is a hidden jewel with a wealth of distinctive history, culture, and natural beauty that is frequently disregarded in favour of its Caribbean neighbours. Known as the "Spice Isle" because of its production of spices and nutmeg, this island offers much more than meets the eye and we will reveal 11 amazing Grenada facts in this blog post article that will inspire you to gather your belongings and discover the island's best-kept secrets because Grenada awaits exploration with its rich cultural heritage and underwater sculptures.

1. Home of The World's First Underwater Sculpture Park: The Molinière Underwater Sculpture Park, one of the world's most unusual tourist destinations, is located in Grenada. This was the world's first underwater sculpture park when it opened in 2006 whereby the park, which was created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, has a number of submerged artworks that, when submerged, form an artificial reef that eventually draws marine life. The sculptures, which are situated not far from the island's coast, are not only striking pieces of art but also act as a conservation tool by promoting the development of coral reefs and offering a home to a range of marine life, thus, this underwater paradise is a must-see for anyone interested in art or diving.

2. The "Nutmeg Island": Grenada, known for its thriving spice trade, is frequently called the "Nutmeg Island" because of its important contribution to the world's nutmeg industry which also is actually one of the biggest producers of nutmeg, accounting for about 20% of the global supply and because it also produces additional spices like turmeric, cloves, and cinnamon, this little island has been dubbed the "Spice Isle." As a symbol of the island's strong agricultural heritage, nutmeg is so significant to Grenadian culture that it is even included on the national flag.

3. The Unique Spice Festival: Speaking of spices, Grenada organizes the Spice Festival each year, which is a unique occasion. The festival, which takes place every year, is a colorful celebration of Grenada's rich agricultural history whereby through culinary arts, musical performances, and cultural events, the Spice Festival showcases regional spices such as cloves, cinnamon, and of course, nutmeg. In addition to sampling local foods and learning about the ancient methods of producing spices, visitors can tour spice plantations not forgetting that for anyone interested in learning more about Grenada's food and culture, this event is a must-attend.

4. The Grenadian Revolution (1979-1983): Grenada is renowned for its beautiful beaches and verdant surroundings, but its political past also matters whereby Grenada went through a brief but dramatic political turmoil from 1979 to 1983 where under the leadership of Maurice Bishop, the New Jewel Movement overturned the government and brought forth a brief socialist experiment. Following a coup in 1983 and an invasion led by the United States, this period of political unrest came to an end with one of the most important periods in the island's history still being the Grenadian Revolution, which remains talked about and examined in Grenadian culture.

5. An Island with 3 "Sister Isles": There are three "sister isles" in addition to the main island of Grenada, making it part of an island chain rather than a single island. These consist of Kick 'em Jenny, an uninhabited island renowned for its active underwater volcano, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. Famous for their stunning beaches, vibrant marine cultures, and genuine island life are Carriacou and Petite Martinique but despite being uninhabited, scientists are interested in Kick 'em Jenny because of its volcanic activity and the study of underwater volcano ecosystems, thus, Grenada's archipelago is made more charming and diverse by these sister islands.

6. Grenada’s Unique "Oil Down" Dish: Any trip would not be complete without food, and in Grenada, Oil Down is the one meal that really sticks out. Oil Down, a savory one-pot dinner consisting of salted meat (often pork), breadfruit, dumplings, and vegetables cooked in coconut milk, is regarded as the island's national food and with ingredients straight from the island's fertile soil, it is a nutritious, tasty dish that honours Grenada's long agricultural past making this traditional dish a true taste of Grenada, so if you ever visit, make sure to try it.

7. Caribbean's Most Active Submarine Volcano – Kick ‘em Jenny: Kick 'em Jenny, one of the Caribbean's most active underwater volcanoes, is located in Grenada. Kick ‘em Jenny, which is situated off the northern coast of Grenada, erupts occasionally and although it could be dangerous to nearby communities, it also offers scientists an intriguing chance to investigate underwater volcanic activity. For years, Kick 'em Jenny has been observed with great care, and its eruptions frequently result in exciting scientific findings about the processes that take place beneath the surface with the volcano contributing to Grenada's natural wonders' attractiveness and is a significant component of the island's geological identity.

8. The Only Grenadian Volcano With a Crater Lake: The island's most elevated point of view, Mount Saint Catherine in Grenada, has a distinctive feature which is its own crater lake and for nature lovers, this dormant volcano offers a fantastic adventuring experience in addition to a breathtaking perspective of the island. Although the trek to the crater lake is very difficult, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views and a lasting sense of achievement. One of the island's best-kept secrets, this serene, overlooked lake is a fantastic location for ecotourism.

9. A Thriving Cacao Industry: Grenada's flourishing cacao sector is helping it establish a reputation in the world of good chocolate with some of the greatest cacao beans being grown on the island, and local chocolate manufacturers gaining recognition abroad in recent years. Grenada's cacao beans are prized for their deep, delicate flavours, and the island's chocolate producers are already taking home major honours. Visitors who enjoy chocolate can sample handmade chocolates manufactured in Grenada and even visit cocoa fields to discover how chocolate is made from bean to bar.

10. An Ancient Petroglyph Site: Grenada's ancient petroglyphs, made by the island's indigenous Arawak and Carib people, provide history enthusiasts with a window into the island's pre-colonial past whereby the region close to Saut d'Eau is one of the many places on the island where you may see these rock engravings. The petroglyphs connect us to the people who lived on the island long before it was known as the Spice Isle and offer important insights into the island's history prior to European colonization. Archaeologists and history fans alike should not miss Grenada's petroglyphs.

11. The Island Once Had a Sugar Cane Industry: French colonists in the 18ᵗʰ century left Grenada with a heritage of being a major leader in the sugar industry. Grenada's economy was heavily reliant on sugar production, and traces of the island's former sugar mills can still be seen all over the place where a glimpse into the island's colonial past and the influence of sugar on its economy can be gained from these historical sites and even though Grenada's sugar industry has long since collapsed, a visit to these mills allows one to consider Grenada's colonial past.

Summary: Grenada's Multi-Layer Structure

Grenada is a site of intriguing contrasts, where vibrant culture, stunning natural surroundings, and a rich history all come together in ways that the average visitor would not notice right away, thus, Grenada has something for every type of adventurer, whether you are climbing to the crater lake of Mount Saint Catherine, diving into the depths of the Molinière Underwater Sculpture Park, or enjoying a plate of Oil Down. The island's lesser-known gems, such as its distinctive volcanic terrain, prehistoric petroglyphs, and booming cocoa sector, demonstrate that Grenada is much more than it first appears not forgetting that Grenada is a place full with hidden treasures that should be considered the next time you are organizing a Caribbean vacation.