Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia Background

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.

Saint Lucia Information

• Population: 164,213 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian
• Location:: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
• Religions:: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 3%, other Protestant 7%
• Ethnic Groups:: black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1%
• Land Boundaries:: 0 km
• Area: total: 616 sq km water: 10 sq km land: 606 sq km
• Coast Line: 158 km
• Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August
• Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys
• Maritime Claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm
• Land Use: arable land: 6.56% permanent crops: 22.95% other: 70.49% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region
• Natural Resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential
• Highways: total: 1,210 km paved: 63 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.)
• Railways:
• Ports & Harbours: Castries, Vieux Fort
• Airports: 2 (2003 est.)