HISTORY:
The Dominican Republic–and Santo Domingo in particular–is steeped in rich history. The country is the site of European discovery of the New World and as such has witnessed numerous invasions and settlements, in addition to economic and political turmoil throughout this century.
From the Old City of Santo Domingo to picturesque villages in the country, the Dominican Republic is home to wonderful sightseeing opportunities. Tourists will not only find the origins of the New World there, but plenty of beautiful landscapes and ecotourism as well., where thousands of vibrant pink flamingos make their home among the huge mounds of brilliant salt.

PEOPLE / CULTURE:
Although French influence on culture is much less than in other Caribbean islands, surnames and place names in French remain and some French architecture has survived from the 1700s. Island culture is heavily influenced by the African roots of most of the Grenadians but Indian influence is also seen with Dhal Puree, Goat and Chicken curry in the cuisine. Other local dishes are also a rich part of their heritage and culture like the national dish of Oil Down, which is a combination of Breadfruit, coconut milk, tumeric (misnamed saffron), and anything else (strong flavoured protein eg saltfish, smoked herring pickled pork or just plain chicken) that you can fit in the pot best cooked in a large cast-iron pot with a banana leaf to cover it.

Grenada, like many of its island neighbours, owes is origins to violent volcanic activity – great fissures in the earth’s crust were created when Caribbean Plate forced the oceanic Atlantic Plate to plunge towards the earth’s hot mantle. There were small reminders of such activity in the volcanic disturbances of 1902 and 1920.

Columbus was the first European to set eyes on Grenada on 15th August, 1498 – he doesn’t appeared to have bothered to land but decided to name it Conception in honour of the Virgin Mary. The island was re-named Mayo two years later and became a short stop-off point for the Spanish who seemed more interested in setting up shop in what was later to become Venezuela than putting down roots in Grenada.

Grenada is a Dominion within the British Commonwealth; the head of state is the British monarch, represented locally by a Governor. Executive power rests with the Cabinet while responsibility for legislation rests with a bicameral parliament comprising the 13-member Senate and the 15-member House of Representatives.

The island remained under French control until its capture by the British in 1762, during the Seven Years’ War. Grenada was formally ceded to Great Britain in 1763 by the Treaty of Paris. Although the French regained control in 1779, the island was restored to Britain in 1783 by the Treaty of Versailles. Although Britain was hard pressed to overcome a pro-French revolt in 1795 Grenada remained British for the remainder of the colonial period.

During the 18th century, Grenada’s economy underwent an important transition. Like much of the rest of the West Indies it was originally settled to cultivate sugar which was grown on estates using slave labor. But natural disasters paved the way for the introduction of other crops. In 1782, Sir Joseph Banks, the botanical adviser to King George III, introduced nutmeg to Grenada. The island’s soil was ideal for growing the spice and because Grenada was a closer source of spices for Europe than the Dutch East Indies the island assumed a new importance to European traders.

An advisory council named by the governor general administered the country until general elections were held in December 1984. The New National Party (NNP) led by Herbert Blaize won 14 out of 15 seats in free and fair elections and formed a democratic government. Grenada’s constitution had been suspended in 1979 by the PRG but it was restored after the 1984 elections.

In parliamentary elections on June 20, 1995, the NNP won eight seats and formed a government headed by Dr. Keith Mitchell. The NNP maintained and affirmed its hold on power when it took all 15 parliamentary seats in the January 1999 elections.