Caribbean Travel Guide

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. 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.

Politics of Saint Lucia

Being a Commonwealth Realm, the head of state of Saint Lucia is the British monarch, represented on the island by a Governor-General. Executive power, however, is in the hands of the prime minister and his cabinet. The prime minister is normally the head of the party winning the elections for the House of Assembly, which has 17 seats. The other chamber of parliament, the Senate, has 11 appointed members.

Saint Lucia is a full & participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Quarters of Saint Lucia

The island of Saint Lucia is divided into 11 quarters:
Anse-la-Raye
Castries
Choiseul
Dauphin
Dennery
Gros Islet
Laborie
Micoud
Praslin
Soufrière
Vieux Fort

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.

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.

Economy of Saint Lucia

The recent changes in the European Union import preference regime and the increased competition from Latin American bananas have made economic diversification increasingly important in Saint Lucia. The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area, and the government is trying to revitalise the banana industry. Despite negative growth in 2001, economic fundamentals remain solid, and GDP growth should recover in the future.

Demographics of Saint Lucia

The small population of Saint Lucia is mostly black or of mixed descent; just 1% are of European origin, with an East Indian minority of some 3%. The official language of the country is English, but a patois based mainly on French is also spoken. The majority of the population are Roman Catholics (ca. 90%); the rest are Anglicans (3%) or other Protestants (7%)

Music of Saint Lucia

The island of Saint Lucia, located in the Caribbean, has seen a recent upsurge in interest in its native music. The government has seen value in promoting a music industry, and has formed the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) to accomplish this goal. In 2004, the first-ever M&C Fine Arts Awards were given to Saint Lucian artists, an event sponsored by the CDF.

Traditional music includes African rhythms combined with European dances like the quadrille, polka and waltz. Saint Lucian derived dances include moolala, grande ronde, faci and la comette (a derivative of minuet)