St Lucia Information
Location
Eastern Caribbean, Windward Islands.
Time
GMT - 4.
Area
616.3 sq km (238 sq miles).
Population
165,000 (UN estimate 2007).
Population Density
267.7 per sq km.
Capital
Castries. Population: 67,000 (official estimate 2004).
Geography
St Lucia is the second-largest of the Windward Islands. It has some of the finest mountain scenery in the West Indies and is rich with tropical vegetation. For such a small island, 43km (27 miles) by 23km (14 miles), St Lucia has a great variety of plant and animal life. Orchids and exotic plants grow wild in the rainforests, and the roadsides are covered with many colourful tropical flowers. Indigenous wildlife includes a species of ground lizard unique to St Lucia. The Amazona versicolor parrot is another, though more elusive, inhabitant of the deep interior rainforest.
The highest peak is Mount Gimie at 950m (3,117ft). Most spectacular are Gros Piton and Petit Piton, ancient, volcanic forest-covered cones which rise out of the sea on the west coast. The mountains are intersected by short rivers which in some areas form broad fertile valleys. The island has excellent beaches and is surrounded by a clear, warm sea.
The highest peak is Mount Gimie at 950m (3,117ft). Most spectacular are Gros Piton and Petit Piton, ancient, volcanic forest-covered cones which rise out of the sea on the west coast. The mountains are intersected by short rivers which in some areas form broad fertile valleys. The island has excellent beaches and is surrounded by a clear, warm sea.
Government
Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1979.
Head of State
Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor General Calliopa Pearlette Louisy since 1997.
Head of Government
Stephenson King has been Prime Minister since September 2007.
History
Sir John Compton's United Worker Party ousted Kenny Anthony's St Lucia Labour Party in the December 2006 elections. The main campaign issues were high unemployment and rising levels of crime. John Compton previously led St Lucia from 1964-1979 and again from 1982-1996. He came out of retirement in 2005 and was 81 at the time of his most recent victory. In May 2007, Compton became ill and appointed Minister for Health Stephenson King as acting Prime Minister. After Compton passed away on September 7, 2007, King was sworn in as the island's new Prime Minister.
Language
English and local French patois.
Religion
Majority Roman Catholic (78%) with some Anglican, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist and Baptist.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Social Conventions
St Lucians are friendly and hospitable and encourage visitors to relax and enjoy their leisurely lifestyle. The traditional dress of the madras and foulards are not often seen in towns, but are sometimes worn at festivals such as the Feast of St Rose of Lima in August. Casual wear is acceptable, although some hotels and restaurants encourage guests to dress for dinner. Beachwear should not be worn in towns. It is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing. Certain homosexual acts are illegal.
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