View source for St. George's, Grenada

{{short description|Capital of Grenada}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = St. George's
| official_name      = 
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage
 |photo1a            = 2009_07-28_St._George's_Bay_(4).JPG
 |photo2a            = St Georges Grenada Fort - panoramio.jpg
 |photo2b            = Kathedrale_von_St._George%27s_auf_Grenada.jpg
 |photo3a            = Parliament House on Church Street C IMG 0521.JPG
 |photo3b            = Saint_George,_Grenada_(51231575268).jpg
 |spacing            = 2
 |position           = center
 |color_border       = white
 |color              = white
 |size               = 280
 |foot_montage       = Top: St. George's skyline; Middle: Fort George, St. George's Cathedral; Bottom: [[York House, Grenada|Grenada's former Parliament House]], St. George's Beach
 }}
| pushpin_map        = Grenada#North America
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_caption =
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| image_map          =
| map_caption        =
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Grenada]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Parish of Grenada|Parish]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Saint George Parish, Grenada|Saint George]]
| subdivision_type2  = 
| subdivision_name2  = 
| seat_type          = [[County seat|Shiretown]]
| seat               = 
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_title       = MP
| leader_name        = [[Peter David (politician)|Peter David]]
| leader_party       = 
| established_title  = First settled
| established_date   = 1650
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 
| population_as_of   = 2012
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 33,734<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/north-central-america/grenada/ |title=Grenada Today |author=UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office |date=28 February 2012 |publisher=UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office |access-date=6 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708202829/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/north-central-america/grenada |archive-date=8 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone           = [[Atlantic Standard Time|AST]]
| utc_offset         = -04:00
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|12|3|9|N|61|45|11|W|region:GD_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = 
| postal_code        = 
| area_code          = 
| website            = 
}}

'''St. George's''' ([[Grenadian Creole French]]: ''Sen Jòj'') is the [[capital city|capital]] and largest city of [[Grenada]]. The city is surrounded by a hillside of an old [[volcano]] crater and is located on a horseshoe-shaped harbour.

St. George's is a popular [[Caribbean]] tourist destination. The town has witnessed an economic boom from 2014 to 2016, and also improved its tourism and various other sectors in 2022 while preserving its history, culture, and natural environment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/geography-and-cartography/st-georges-grenada |title=St. George's, Grenada &#124; EBSCO Research Starters }}</ref> The parish in which St George's is located, is the home of [[St. George's University|St. George’s University School of Medicine]] and [[Maurice Bishop International Airport]]. The main exports are cocoa bean (cacao), nutmeg, and mace spice.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arnold |first1=Guy |title=The Resources of the Third World |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-91798-2 |page=343 |language=en }}</ref>

It has a moderate tropical climate that ensures the success of spice production. Nutmeg is a key crop, followed by spices such as cocoa, mace, cloves, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger.

== History ==
[[File:Port Saint-Georges dans l'île de la Grenade en 1776.jpg|thumb|The island of Grenada and port Saint-Georges in 1776.]]
[[File:Grenada2010.jpg|thumb|Aerial photo of the capital St George's.]]
  
St. George's was founded by the [[France|French]] in 1650 when "La Grenade" ([[Grenada]]) was colonised by [[Jacques Dyel du Parquet]], the governor of [[Martinique]]. The French began their colonisation with a series of skirmishes that virtually exterminated the island's native Carib population.

In 1666, a wooden [[fortification]] was constructed by French colonists on a promontory overlooking Grenada's natural harbour and named ''Fort Royale''. In 1705, work started on a new [[star fort]] on the same site, with four stone-built [[bastion]]s, to the design of Jean de Giou de Caylus, the Chief Engineer of the "Islands of America" the [[French West Indies]]. It was completed in 1710.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forts.org/history.htm |title=A Short History of Fort George, St. George's, Grenada |last1=Zimmerman |first1=J David |date=20 April 2005 |website=www.forts.org |publisher=Portcullis Limited |access-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022114709/http://www.forts.org/history.htm |archive-date=22 October 2014 }}</ref>

Meanwhile, the original colonial settlement at the eastern edge of the harbour called ''Saint Louis'' after King [[Louis IX of France]], later known as Port Louis, was found to be subject to flooding and [[malaria]], so a new town was constructed called ''Ville de Fort Royal'' ("Fort Royal Town"). When the island was ceded to [[Great Britain]] by the [[Treaty of Paris 1763|Treaty of Paris]] in 1763, the new administration renamed it [[Saint George]]'s Town, after the [[patron saint]] of England and ''Fort Royal'' was renamed Fort George, after [[George III of Great Britain|King George III]].<ref>Crask, Paul (2009), [https://books.google.com/books?id=uTPnC0dGETMC&dq=grenada+Fort+Royal+St+George%27s+Town&pg=PA92 ''Grenada: Carriacou - Petite Martinique''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123145749/https://books.google.com/books?id=uTPnC0dGETMC&dq=grenada%20Fort%20Royal%20St%20George%27s%20Town&pg=PA92 |date=23 November 2023 }} Bradt Travel Guides Ltd {{ISBN|978-1-84162-401-3}} (p. 92)</ref> On 1 November 1775 there was a fire in the town of St. George's known as the great fire of St George's. After the great fire of 1771, most of the boarding houses on Granby Street were moved to [[Gouyave]].

Following the withdrawal of [[Bridgetown]], [[Barbados]], in the mid-1880s, St. George's went on to become the replacement capital of the former colony of the [[British Windward Islands]].

The Tikal was the first art cater shop in Grenada and it was opened in December 1959. Grenada achieved independence from Britain in 1974. Following a leftist coup in 1983, the island [[Invasion of Grenada|was invaded]] by [[United States|U. S.]] troops and a pro-USA government was reinstated. In 2004, St. George's and the rest of Grenada was severely battered by [[Hurricane Ivan]]. The hurricane left significant destruction across the island and crippled much of the island's infrastructure. It was estimated that some 90% of the island's homes had sustained damage and the nutmeg trees, which are key to Grenada's economy, were devastated. A year later with the help of international donors (Canada, the United States, China, Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, and the [[European Union]]) Grenada had experienced a significant turn around in rebuilding efforts. By 2007, Grenada had participated as planned in the hosting of the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]]. Now St. George's is one of the top 10 Yacht destinations.

== Culture ==
Carnival takes place the second week in August. This festival celebrates the emancipation of slaves. The Sunday night celebrations continue into the early morning hours on Monday. On Monday a carnival pageant is held on stage at Queen's Park, where costumes, themes and calypso queens are judged. On Tuesday, St. George's vibrates to the sounds of the calypso steel bands as they parade through the streets.

== Climate ==
St. George's has a humid [[tropical marine climate]] but has the influences of a [[tropical rainforest climate]], with a [[wet season]] (June to November) and a noticeably [[dry season]] (December to May). St. George's sees frequent thunderstorms and occasional hurricanes from easterlies, while winter is marginally cooler and somewhat drier. The feeling of heat is exacerbated from the strong equatorial UV rays and high humidity all year. 
{{Weather box
| location = St. George's, Grenada ([[Maurice Bishop International Airport]]) (1991-2020)
| metric first = y
| single line = y
| Jan high C = 29.7
| Feb high C = 29.7
| Mar high C = 30.0
| Apr high C = 30.5
| May high C = 30.8
| Jun high C = 30.6
| Jul high C = 30.6
| Aug high C = 31.0
| Sep high C = 31.3
| Oct high C = 31.1
| Nov high C = 30.7
| Dec high C = 30.2
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C = 26.5
| Feb mean C = 26.6
| Mar mean C = 26.9
| Apr mean C = 27.6
| May mean C = 28.1
| Jun mean C = 27.9
| Jul mean C = 27.7
| Aug mean C = 28.0
| Sep mean C = 28.3
| Oct mean C = 28.0
| Nov mean C = 27.6
| Dec mean C = 27.0
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 23.3
| Feb low C = 23.4
| Mar low C = 23.9
| Apr low C = 24.8
| May low C = 25.4
| Jun low C = 25.1
| Jul low C = 24.9
| Aug low C = 25.0
| Sep low C = 25.3
| Oct low C = 25.0
| Nov low C = 24.5
| Dec low C = 23.9
| year low C =
| Jan record high C = 32.0
| Feb record high C = 32.0
| Mar record high C = 33.4
| Apr record high C = 32.9
| May record high C = 33.4
| Jun record high C = 33.5
| Jul record high C = 33.0
| Aug record high C = 33.3
| Sep record high C = 34.0
| Oct record high C = 34.0
| Nov record high C = 33.5
| Dec record high C = 32.7
| Jan record low C = 19.4
| Feb record low C = 20.1
| Mar record low C = 20.4
| Apr record low C = 20.6
| May record low C = 22.0
| Jun record low C = 21.2
| Jul record low C = 20.7
| Aug record low C = 21.7
| Sep record low C = 21.7
| Oct record low C = 21.9
| Nov record low C = 21.7
| Dec record low C = 19.9
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 64.4
| Feb precipitation mm = 38.6
| Mar precipitation mm = 25.6
| Apr precipitation mm = 36.4
| May precipitation mm = 52.8
| Jun precipitation mm = 126.5
| Jul precipitation mm = 123.2
| Aug precipitation mm = 142.6
| Sep precipitation mm = 122.0
| Oct precipitation mm = 149.9
| Nov precipitation mm = 164.4
| Dec precipitation mm = 105.3
|Jan precipitation days = 10.6
|Feb precipitation days = 6.9
|Mar precipitation days = 5.3
|Apr precipitation days = 5.0
|May precipitation days = 7.0
|Jun precipitation days = 14.3
|Jul precipitation days = 15.3
|Aug precipitation days = 14.9
|Sep precipitation days = 11.3
|Oct precipitation days = 14.2
|Nov precipitation days = 14.7
|Dec precipitation days = 12.0
|year precipitation days = 
|unit precipitation days = 1 mm
| Jan dew point C = 21.9
| Feb dew point C = 21.5
| Mar dew point C = 21.7
| Apr dew point C = 22.6
| May dew point C = 23.3
| Jun dew point C = 23.6
| Jul dew point C = 23.7
| Aug dew point C = 23.9
| Sep dew point C = 24.1
| Oct dew point C = 24.0
| Nov dew point C = 23.7
| Dec dew point C = 22.7
| year dew point C = 
| Jan humidity = 79.2
| Feb humidity = 78.2
| Mar humidity = 78.2
| Apr humidity = 79.8
| May humidity = 81.0
| Jun humidity = 82.5
| Jul humidity = 83.1
| Aug humidity = 82.6
| Sep humidity = 80.9
| Oct humidity = 81.8
| Nov humidity = 82.5
| Dec humidity = 80.0
| year humidity = 
| Jan sun = 272.2
| Feb sun = 254.4
| Mar sun = 294.8
| Apr sun = 288.9
| May sun = 294.5
| Jun sun = 271.4
| Jul sun = 281.3
| Aug sun = 281.2
| Sep sun = 272.3
| Oct sun = 267.8
| Nov sun = 253.6
| Dec sun = 270.6
| year sun = 
|source = NOAA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-4-WMO-Normals-9120/Grenada/CSV/MauriceBishopIntlAirport_78958.csv |title=Maurice Bishop Intl Airport Climate Normals 1991–2020 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=14 August 2023 }}</ref>
| source 2 = Weather.Directory<ref name="Weather.Directory">
{{cite web|url=https://weather.directory/gd/saint-georges
|title= Saint George's Weather & Climate Guide
|access-date= 15 Oct 2025
|website= Weather.Directory}}</ref>
}}

==Spices==

=== Nutmeg and mace ===
Nutmeg and mace come from the fruit of the aromatic ''[[Myristica fragrans]]'' tree. The tree was introduced on 3 March 1967<ref name="grenada-history">{{cite web |url=http://www.grenada-history.org/nutmeg.htm |publisher=grenada-history.org |title=Grenada Nutmegs |access-date=2 September 2016 }}</ref> to the Spice Island. The nutmeg tree is an evergreen with dark green leaves and small yellow flowers, and grows up to 12 meters tall. It starts bearing fruit after seven or eight years and continues to do so for up to 40 years. The fruit looks like an apricot and when ripe, it splits open to reveal a walnut-sized seed. The seed coverings are lacy, red-orange strips, which are made into mace powder; the seed itself is ground down into nutmeg powder. It is used extensively for cooking to enhance the flavor of cakes, soups, desserts, drinks and sauces.

=== Cinnamon ===
This comes from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree (''Cinnamonum verum''). Whole or ground, it is a popular household spice internationally. It is used to flavor beverages and cakes.

=== Clove ===
This dried flavored flower bud, whole or ground (''Syzygium aromaticum'') is used at home to season hams, sausages, meats, mincemeat pies, fish, turtle preserves and pickles.

=== Sugar cane ===
From June to December, cuttings from the tops of cane are laid in holes about {{convert|13|cm}} deep by {{convert|0.46|sqm|0}} then covered with soil. As the cane grows taller, fertiliser is used. Between planting and harvesting, bananas, corn, peas, potatoes, and other crops are cultivated. January to May, the ripe cane are cut and delivered to the mill to be ground. Boiling and clarifying the cane juice is the next operation. The juice is strained after grinding and then taken to the clarifying copper to be boiled. (Wood coal is the main source fuel). Lime is added to speed up the operation. The liquid sugar is put into coolers for about 14 hours. The molasses is then drained off and taken to the still house to be made into rum.

== Transportation and customs ==

Private boats and yachts can complete customs and immigration processing in St. George's and Prickly Bay, Lance Aux Epines as well as in Carriacou. Travellers passing through Grenada are required to have a passport. Those whose travel involves stay over in other countries, should check on entry requirements for those countries. There is also a bus terminal for island wide transport.

== Hospitals ==

* General Hospital
* Mount Gay Hospital
* Old Trafford Medical Centre
* St Augustine's Medical Services
* [[St. George’s University School of Medicine]]
* Marryshows' Hospital & Health Clinic
* Salus Clinic

== Main sites ==
[[File:The_Carenage_Grenada.jpg|thumb|right|The Carenage]]

=== St. Margaret's Falls ===
So named because it passes by seven of Grand Etang's mountain waterfalls, which are nestled in the emerald vegetation of the rain forest. The trail takes about three hours, even for experienced hikers.

=== Roman Catholic cathedral ===
The tower of St. George's Cathedral was built in 1818. The interior of the church is painted in bright colours.

=== Anglican church ===
[[File:St._Georges_Anglican_Church_Grenada.jpg|thumb|right|Reconstructed Anglican Church in 2019]]

St. George's Anglican Church was built in 1825, and a clock was later added in 1904 which plays the Westminster chimes on the hour. The church laid in ruin for a decade following heavy damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, when it continued to be used informally by locals for both prayer as well as school classes. Following several years of reconstruction work since the mid-2010s, the building returned to its function as a church.

=== Fort George ===
{{main|Fort George, Grenada}}
Located on the promontory to the west of the harbour is Fort George. Built in 1705 by the [[French people|French]], many of the buildings are now used by the police. One of the rooms has been converted to a gym and another to a sort of sewing room. Much of the fort is still intact and open to visitors.

However, the buildings are very dilapidated, from a combination of hurricane damage and neglect, and there is little or no information within the fort itself. There's a good view from the battlements. There is a $2.00 per person fee to visit the Fort.

=== Grenada National Museum ===
The [[Grenada National Museum]] is housed in French barracks, which date from 1704, and which later served as a prison. The building was also used as the island's first hotel. The museum displays a variety of historical items including Carib and Arawak artefacts, sugar processing machines and equipment, whaling industry items, and Josephine Bonaparte's marble bath.

=== Other sites ===
* [[National Cricket Stadium (Grenada)|National Cricket Stadium]]
* St. Georges fresh produce marketplace
* Grande Anse beach, shopping centres, hotels
* [[Maurice Bishop International Airport]] (Point(e) Saline)
* Parliament Building, also known as York House, houses the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme Court
* Governor General Residence, government offices
* Fort Frederick Fort Complex

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070518121822/http://www.ddbstock.com/largeimage/grenada.html Images of St. George's]

{{List of North American capitals}}
{{Local Government and Major town in Grenada}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint George, Grenada}}
[[Category:St. George's, Grenada| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in North America]]
[[Category:Capitals in the Caribbean]]
[[Category:Populated places in Grenada]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1650]]
[[Category:1650 establishments in Grenada]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in the Caribbean]]
[[Category:1650 establishments in the French colonial empire]]