The small island nation of Saint Lucia lies among a chain of islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Britain and France fought each other for control of Saint Lucia for 150 years. The island was then controlled by the British from1814 until it became an independent country in 1979. Saint Lucia's culture still includes a unique blend of British and French influences. The capital and main port is Castries. GeographySaint Lucia is situated about 24 miles (39 kilometers) south of the island of Martinique and some 21 miles (34 kilometers) northeast of the island of Saint Vincent. Saint Lucia is the second largest of the Windward Islands. The Windwards are part of the Lesser Antilles islands of the West Indies. Saint Lucia occupies an area of 238 square miles (617 square kilometers). - The coastal town of Soufrière, Saint Lucia, nestled in a valley near the Gros and Petit …
The island is roughly oval in shape. It is divided by a central ridge of forested mountains, which run from north to south. On the southwestern coast are two huge cone-shaped peaks called the Gros and Petit Pitons. The country's highest peak is Mount Gimie, which rises to 3,117 feet (950 meters). Many streams flow down through the mountains into deep, fertile valleys. The island was formed by volcanic activity. Near Petit Peak is the volcano Qualibou. This volcano has not erupted since the 18th century, but it still emits steam and gases. The island lies near the equator in a region called the tropics. The climate is hot and humid year-round. The country receives heavy rainfall for about half the year. Plants and animalsMost of Saint Lucia's rain forests have been cleared away. The trees were cut down for wood or to create land for farming. However, thick forests are still found at the higher elevations. The lush valleys are covered with flowering vines, wild orchids, ferns, and birds-of-paradise. The country has a wealth of colorful birds, including the rare Saint Lucia parrot, the Saint Lucia black finch, and the Saint Lucia oriole. The forests are also home to iguanas, lizards, and frogs. People and cultureMost of the population is descended from black African slaves who were brought to Saint Lucia to work on the sugar plantations. Many of the people are of mixed African and European origins. The island also has a small East Indian population. English is the official language, but many people also speak a local version of French. About 80 percent of the people are Roman Catholic. Most of the rest of the people are Protestants. About 40 percent of Saint Lucia's inhabitants live in or around the capital city of Castries. It is the country's only large city. The rest of the people live primarily along the southern coastal plain and in the fertile valleys. EconomyThe economy is based largely on agriculture and tourism. Nearly one third of the land is used for farming. Bananas are the main crop grown for export. However, the country has been working hard to grow a wider variety of crops to sell, including mangoes and avocados. Cacao, coconuts, fruits, and yams and other root vegetables are also grown. The chief manufactured products are clothing, electronic goods, cardboard boxes, and beer. HistoryEarly settlersThe first people known to live on Saint Lucia were American Indians. The Arawak were well established on the island by the time the Carib arrived in about AD 800. The fierce Carib soon drove out the Arawak. European contactHistorians disagree about the date when European explorers first arrived at Saint Lucia, but it was probably about 1500. The British tried to establish colonies on the island in 1605 and 1638. However, these attempts failed. The British were driven out by the native Carib and by tropical disease. Colonial rule and slaveryThe French established the first lasting European settlement in 1650. However, the British soon challenged the French for control over the island. During the next 150 years, possession of the island passed between the British and the French 14 times. Saint Lucia was finally given to Britain in 1814 by the Treaty of Paris. During the early years of colonial rule, the French set up profitable cotton and sugar plantations. The Europeans brought people from Africa to work as slaves on the island's plantations. Britain banned slavery in all its Caribbean colonies in1834. The sugar industry, which needed a lot of workers, began to decline. Bananas became the major crop because they require less labor to grow. IndependenceBeginning in1924, the people of Saint Lucia were allowed to elect representatives to a legislative council. In 1967 the island became largely self-governing. Saint Lucia gained full independence in 1979. The new nation joined the British Commonwealth, a free association of Britain and many of its former colonies. In 1980 Hurricane Allen devastated Saint Lucia. It destroyed most of the banana crop and kept tourists away as well. The tourism industry was also hurt by the country's political instability in the early 1980s. However, tourism has developed rapidly since then. In addition, the government has promoted the growth of a larger variety of crops. It has also tried to expand manufacturing industries. Population (2001 estimate), 158,000. |