Carriacou and Petite Martinique

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view from Hillsborough looking south over the beach

Carriacou Island in the Caribbean Sea, is the largest island of the Grenadines, an archipelago in the Windward Islands chain. The island is 13 sq miles (34 km²), and a dependency of Grenada with a population of 4,595 (1991 census).

The main settlements on the island are Hillsborough, L'Esterre, Harvey Vale, and Windward.

The neighbouring island of Petite Martinique is 2 1/2 miles away from Carriacou, and also a part of Grenada. With its 586 acres (2.4 km²), population 900, it is relatively smaller than Carriacou. The residents of this island live by boat-building, fishing and seafaring.

The Grenadine islands to the north of Carriacou and Petite Martinique are dependencies of St Vincent.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Recent history
4 Festivals
5 Transport
6 In literature and music
7 External links
8 See also

[edit] Geography

A view of Carriacou. Other Grenadine islands in distance

Locator Map

Map of Carriacou Island near Grenada

Carriacou, known as "the island surrounded by reefs" is the largest of the Grenadines. Its natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle lead to its international reputation to be among the friendliest, safest and most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Miles of empty white sand beaches, deep aqua bays, spectacular hill views of surrounding Grenadine islands, nature trails, gorgeous reefs and safe anchoring harbours attract people from all over the world.

Carriacou has no rivers. The water supply for the island comes from its rainfall. The driest time of the year is between January and June.

The short distance between islands and the complete lack of active border patrol mean that it is possible to move between nations relatively easily - a common situation in the Caribbean.

[edit] History

The earliest settlers, the Amerindians, called Carriacou "Kayryouacou", meaning "the land of reefs."

A view of Hillsborough, Carriacou

Carriacou was settled by the French, but in 1763 was ceded with Grenada to the British when they captured neighbouring Grenada. The majority of the inhabitants today are of African descent. There still is a British influence on the island as it was colonised by the British Empire and it is part of Grenada, a Commonwealth state. There is also still a French influence which is demonstrated in village names, such as L'Esterre, La Resource, Beausejour, et cetera, and the local patois is still spoken.

The inhabitants of Carriacou perform the Big Drum or Nation dance which celebrates their West African ancestors that were brought to the island during slavery times. These Big Drum dances are usually performed at "Maroons" village festivals or fetes, where food and drink are prepared. They can also be danced at wakes and tombstone feasts in honour of dead relatives.

There still is a traditional boat-building culture located in the village of Windward, in the northeastern side of the island, where Carriacou's Scottish and Irish ancestors are concentrated.

Carriacouans have migrated to the United Kingdom (many to the county town of Bedford; it is said that if you live on Carriacou you will have a family member in Bedford and if you live in Bedford you will know someone from Carriacou), the USA as well as other parts of the Caribbean due to the lack of industry (agriculture being the main industry on the island). Many Carriacouans do return for holidays or to retire "back home".

[edit] Recent history

Though Hurricane Ivan in 2004 dealt a devastating blow to the island of Grenada, remarkably, Carriacou and Petite Martinique suffered significantly less damage. However, in 2005, Hurricane Emily hit Carriacou, damaging and forcing evacuation of its, then, only hospital and destroying or damaging hundreds of homes.

[edit] Festivals

There are three major cultural festivals held on Carriacou. Carnival (see external link below) is held in February or early March. The Carriacou Regatta, held on the first weekend in August, is a racing event for locally built boats. In 2005, the Regatta celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Parang on the weekend prior to Christmas celebrates the island's traditional Christmas music and culture. Since the turn of the millennium, a new festival of growing popularity has been started - the Carriacou Maroon Festival held during the second quarter of the year.

[edit] Transport

The people of Carriacou travel mainly by privately run 15 seater buses. There is car rental available on the island and taxis for the night. More of the locals have fishing boats than cars. For external transportation they have a small airport on the island and a small ferry boat-Osprey that runs between Carriacou, Grenada and PM.