THE GRENADA HANDBOOK AND DIRECTORY 1946
AREA AND SITUATION
GRENADA, the most southerly of the windward group, situated between the parallels of 12, 30 and 11, 58 N. latitude and between 61, 20 and 61, 35 W. longitude. its is about 21 miles in length, 12 miles wide at its breadth, and contains about 120 square miles. It lies 68 miles S.S.W of St. Vincent and 90 miles north of Trinidad and between it and the former island stretches a chain of small islands called the Grenadines. The southernmost of these, embracing Carriacou, Petite Martinique, Isle of Rhonde and others , are included within the colony of Grenada. Carriacou has an area of some 13 square miles. The capital of Grenada, St. George's, is also the sit of the governor of the Windward Islands.
TOPOGRAPHY
A topographical description of the island of Grenada ( surveyed by Monsieur Pinel in 1763) by order of Government-By lieut. Daniel Patterson. The original document preserved at the Public Works Department of Grenada.
The island is divided into six parishes or Districts, the principle of which is that named Basse-Terre or St. George which contains the city, the Fort and Port. Here also lied the ordinary residence of the Governor General, and the Courts of Judicature.
The District of St. George is situated on the south part of the island, extending 15.3 miles (4.5 Leagues) along the Chemin Royal from the Riviere Dounce to the Riviere de Chermin. It had fourteen Sugar Plantations. Ten had water-mills: besides a great many Coffee Plantations; but none of these were of consequence, except three or four. All of the Coast of Ponte des Salines or Point Salines to the Riviere de Chermin, was dry barren soil, and little inhabited, neither does if afford any other water than that of Wells or Ponds. The Salt Pond produced a great deal of salt, when carefully managed.
The District named Quartier du Megrin or St. David, lies towards the South-East; its coast forms several Points and some Bays capable of receiving small crafts: It extends 12.8 Miles ( Three and half leagues) from Riviere de Chemin to the Riviere de Crochu, which separates it on the North part from the District, Du Grand Marquis, there are several rivers which runs through it, and supplied Ten Sugar Plantations with sufficiency of water; there was also some considerable Coffee Plantations, and many others of less consequences as being but lately established; it is planted about four thousands paces up the hills ( 1.8Miles)
The Quartier Du Grand Marquis or St. Andrew's, situated towards the East, is the most considerable District, as well for Extent, as for the Number and importance of its Plantations: it is four and half leagues long (15.3 Miles), extending from Riviere de Crochu to the Riviere Antione, which separates it on the North side from the District Des Sauteurs. Lands were granted here, 7,000 paces ( 3.31 Miles) up from the Coast, which are in general good. There were however some, from the Town of Grand Marquis to the Riviere du Crochu which were indifferent, as they have been over-wrought and these on the heights as you go towards the great pond are cold and for the most part, bad. Several rivers run through this quarter, which supply 23 Plantations with water, twelve which were considerable , on the account of their produce and income. It contains also many large Coffee Plantations