Grenada
Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when COLUMBUS discovered the island
in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The
French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates,
and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island
in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century,
cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the
20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain
gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence
was attained in 1974 making Grenada 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 and have continued
since that time. Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004
causing severe damage.
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