World Factbook
Grenada
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (left and right), with a wide red border around the flag; three five-pointed yellow stars are centered on the top and bottom of the red border, with one larger yellow star on a red disk at the center of the flag; a small yellow-and-red nutmeg pod is on the left triangle meaning: the seven stars stand for the country's administrative divisions, with the central star symbolizing the capital, St. George's; yellow stands for the sun and the warmth of the people, green for vegetation and agriculture, and red for harmony, unity, and courage
Capital
name
Saint George's
etymology
originally named Ville de Fort Royal (Fort Royal Town), the name was changed to Saint George's Town in 1764, in honor of the patron saint of England, when the English took over Grenada from the French; the name was eventually shortened to Saint George's
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
12 03 N, 61 45 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
7 years for persons from a non-Caribbean state and 4 years for a person from a Caribbean state
Constitution
history
previous 1967; latest presented 19 December 1973, effective 7 February 1974, suspended 1979 following a revolution but restored in 1983
amendment process
proposed by either house of Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership in both houses and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to constitutional sections, such as personal rights and freedoms, the structure, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, the delimitation of electoral constituencies, or the procedure for amending the constitution, also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum
Country name
etymology
origin of the name remains obscure; some sources attribute the designation to Spanish influence (most likely named for the Spanish city of Granada); in Spanish granada means "pomegranate"
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Grenada
Independence
7 February 1974 (from the UK)
Legal system
common law based on English model
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Judicial branch
note
note: appeals beyond the ECSC in civil and criminal matters are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
highest court(s)
regionally, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts
subordinate courts
magistrates' courts; Court of Magisterial Appeals
judge selection and term of office
chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Cecile LA GRENADE (since 7 May 2013)
head of government
Prime Minister Dickon MITCHELL (since 24 June 2022)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister
National holiday
Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
National color(s)
red, yellow, green
Political parties
National Democratic Congress or NDC New National Party or NNP
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
Grenada dove, bougainvillea flower
National coat of arms
Grenada’s coat of arms shows Grand Etang Lake, a crater lake on the volcano that formed Grenada; in the center of the shield is Christopher Columbus’s ship, the Santa Maria , which landed on the island in 1498; the gold cross dividing the shield, the two Madonna lilies, and the national motto signal the importance of religion; two lions symbolize past UK rule (1762-1974), as well as Grenada’s current status as a Commonwealth country; the corn stalk and banana plant represent agriculture; the armadillo and Grenada dove next to the shield are native to the island, and the roses in the bougainvillea flower garland represent Grenada’s seven communities
Administrative divisions
6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives
term in office
5 years
number of seats
15 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
6/23/2022
expected date of next election
June 2027
percentage of women in chamber
31.3%
parties elected and seats per party
National Democratic Congress (NDC) (9); New National Party (NNP) (6)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
5 years
number of seats
13 (all appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
8/31/2022
expected date of next election
August 2027
percentage of women in chamber
30.8%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 265-2468
chancery
1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone
[1] (202) 265-2561
chief of mission
Ambassador Tarlie FRANCIS (since 15 September 2023)
consulate(s) general
Miami, New York
email address and website
embassy@grenadaembassyusa.org https://grenadaembassyusa.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[1] (473) 444-4820
embassy
Lance-aux-Epines, Saint George's
telephone
[1] (473) 444-1173
mailing address
3180 Grenada Place, Washington DC 20521-3180
chief of mission
the US does not have an official embassy in Grenada; the Chargé d’Affaires to Barbados, Karin B. SULLIVAN, is accredited to Grenada
email address and website
StgeorgesACS@state.gov https://bb.usembassy.gov/embassy/grenada/
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, AOSIS, CARIFORUM, CARIBCAN, Caricom, CBI, CDB, CELAC, CSME, ECCU, EPA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction