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Saint Lucia
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Saint
Lucia is an island nation in the eastern
Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic
Ocean. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is
located north of the islands of Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines and south of Martinique.
History
Main article: History of Saint Lucia
Arawak Amerindians first settled on the island
in the 3rd century AD, while the Caribs later
took over. European discovery of the island is
somewhat vague, but it was probably discovered
around 1500 by the Spanish explorer Juan de la
Cosa. After some early failed attempts to settle
there, the French and British fought over the
island, with its fine natural harbor at
Castries, during the 17th and 18th centuries
(changing possession 14 times), until Britain
finally obtained control in 1814. Slavery was
finally abolished in 1838, freeing more than
13,000 slaves. The island was a province of the
short-lived West Indies Federation from 1958 to
1962. The island was granted self-government in
1967 and independence in February 22, 1979.
Geography
Map of Saint LuciaMain article: Geography of
Saint Lucia
The volcanic island of Saint Lucia is more
mountainous than many other Caribbean islands,
with the highest point being Mount Gimie, at 950
m above sea level. Two other mountains, the
Pitons, form the island's most famous landmark.
They are located near Soufrière, on the western
side of the island. Saint Lucia is also one of
the few islands in the world that flaunts a
drive-in volcano.
The capital city of Saint Lucia is Castries,
where about one third of the population lives.
Major towns include Gros Islet, Soufrière and
Vieux Fort. The local climate is tropical,
moderated by northeast trade winds, with a dry
season from January to April and a rainy season
from May to November.
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Background:
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The
island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries,
was contested between England and France throughout
the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing
possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK
in 1814. Self-government was granted in 1967 and
independence in 1979. |
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Location:
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Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and
North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
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Geographic coordinates:
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13 53
N, 60 68 W
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Map references:
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Central America and the Caribbean |
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Area:
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total: 616 sq km
water: 10 sq km
land: 606 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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3.5
times the size of Washington, DC |
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Climate:
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tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry
season from January to April, rainy season from May
to August |
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Terrain:
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volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile
valleys |
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Nationality:
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noun: Saint Lucian(s)
adjective: Saint Lucian |
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Ethnic groups:
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black
90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1% |
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Religions:
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Roman
Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3% |
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Languages:
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English (official), French patois |
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Currency:
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East
Caribbean dollar (XCD) |
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Currency code:
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XCD
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Exchange rates:
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East
Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate
since 1976) |
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Internet country code:
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.lc
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