Palmyra has an area of 34 square kilometres (13 square miles) and a resident population of just over twelve thousand. Tiny, unspoilt Frigate Island, with about a hundred inhabitants, lies to the north-east. Accessible via inter-island ferry and water-taxi, Frigate offers visitors to Palmyra a more laid-back and casual style.
With most of the workforce engaged in tourist-related activities, and more than two-thirds foreign-born, it is not at all surprising that Palmyra has a young population. The median age is just 24 years (compared to 35 in the US and UK). And not surprisingly, given the nature of the economy and the high proportion of foreign-born citizens, the sex ratio is also lopsided – 138 females for every 100 males, which means a population that is 58% female, almost 60% among adults. No other country in the world comes close to this figure; and since female tourists outnumber their male counter¬parts by a similar amount, three-fifths of the bodies to be seen on the beaches and boulevards of Palmyra are naked.
The biggest town, seat of government and chief port is Régate, located on the west coast beside Regatta Bay, with a population of around eight thousand. Nestled between the harbour and steep verdant hillsides, Régate preserves picturesque, colonial-era construction alongside modern commercial architecture. An international-class airport lies on the southern edge of the town, and direct flight connections are available from Jamaica daily and most other Caribbean islands on a regular basis.
Palmyra’s main industry is tourism, although some locals still engage in fishing and boat-building. Offshore banking is a growing albeit somewhat controversial source of income. Without any rivers or natural lakes, the island is completely reliant upon rainfall for its water supply, so agriculture is virtually non-existent.
The trickle of tourists which began early this century became a steady flow in the 1960s, and by the beginning of the nineties, visitors at any one time outnumbered residents. Thus limits have had to be put on the intake, in particular those on cruise ship stopovers. To further cope with the demands of this thriving industry, foreign workers have been brought in from other Caribbean countries, North America and the UK. Under Palmyra’s liberal immigration laws, many of these have been granted permanent residence and citizenship. Unemployment is virtually non-existent and Palmyrans* today enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, although most eschew extravagant and ostentatious lifestyles. All citizens are shareholders in the public corporation which manages the economy, supports a generous social welfare system and maintains a heavy investment in education and infrastructure.
The booming economy has transformed this once sleepy backwater. Political, social and economic upheavals that have taken place elsewhere in the Caribbean region have had little impact, although nature has not been as kind. Hurricanes in recent years have caused widespread damage; but the island has recovered quickly as a result of swift action by the local authorities and intense reconstruction efforts. In fact, the local government received wide¬spread praise for its contribution to relief efforts on nearby Grenada, which has suffered more devastation.
Palmyra is an independent state and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, although its formal political status remains some¬what ambiguous. Self-government was achieved in 1968, and complete independence in 1974. However, tension with its neighbours has ensured that sentimental, political and commercial ties with the United Kingdom continue to be strong. The island is an associate member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, formed in 1981.
The form of government is a parliamentary democracy, with an executive branch headed by a Governor who is appointed by the Crown. In 2004, Palmyra became the first and only independent state in the world to elect a female parliamentary majority, and today the island has a female Governor, a female Chief Minister and a female-majority parliament and ministry.
Palmyra issues its own currency, the Palmyran dollar, at par with US$; but the US dollar, UK pound and East Caribbean dollar are de facto legal tender.
Palmyra’s colourful history has made it a popular destination for adventurers and romantics, as well as those seeking a luxurious but laid-back vacation. However, the main attraction is of course the famous nude law.
* The adjective is Palmyrene (e.g. the Palmyrene economy), while the inhabitants are Palmyrans. By tradition, females are labelled Palmyrene and males Palmyran (which is also the collective term).
Introduction to Palmyra
