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 sq. km), and a dependency of
Grenada with a population of 4,595 (1991 census). The main settlements on the island are Hillsborough, L'Esterre, Grand Bay, Harvey Vale, and Windward.
The neighbouring island of
Petite Martinique is approximately 3 miles away from Carriacou, and also a part of Grenada. With its 586 acres (2.4 km²), population 900, it is small in comparison to 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.
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A view of Carriacou. Other Grenadine islands in distance |
Carriacou, known as `the island surrounded by reefs' is the largest of the Grenadines and its enchanting beauty and relaxed lifestyle did 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 February and June.
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Locator Map |
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Map of Carriacou Island near Grenada |
The earliest settlers, the Amerindians, called Carriacou "Kayryouacou", meaning "the land of reefs."
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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 some 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 been 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). Though many Carriacouans return for
holidays or to retire "back home".
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.
There are three major cultural festivals held on Carriacou.
Carnival (see external link below) held in February or early March, the
Carriacou Regatta, held on the first weekend in August, is a racing event for locally built boats and the
Parang on the weekend prior Christmas, that celebrates the island's traditional christmas music and culture. In 2005, the Regatta celebrated its 40th anniversary. 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.
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Carriacou & Petite Martinique Tourism Association*
How to get to Carriacou*
Carriacou & Petite Martinique Carnival Development Committee*
Carriacou Photos, Virtual Tours, VR Movies, Tourist Information, and More Specific Information -- Including Weather, Time, etc.*
Kariakoo*
Grenada*
St Vincent and the Grenadines*
Rough Science
