Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia, independent West Indies island nation (238 sq mi/616 sq km) in the Windward Islands in the Caribbean Sea.

Land and Climate

St. Lucia, 27 mi (43 km) long and 14 mi (23 km) wide, is of volcanic origin with 1 active volcano. The terrain is hilly, with Morne Gimie reaching 3,145 ft (959 m), and the interior is covered with tropical rain forests. The average annual temperature is 79°F (26°C).

People

Most of the inhabitants are of black African heritage. Roman Catholicism is the religion of nearly 90% of the population, and English is the official language. However, a French patois is widely spoken.

Economy

Small-scale agriculture is the principal economic activity, with bananas, coconuts, cocoa beans, oil, and citrus fruits grown for export. Industry, including food processing, electrical components, and garments, is being diversified to include an ambitious oil complex and free-trade zone. Although tourism is growing, imports exceed exports by 200%, and the country is heavily dependent upon foreign aid.

History

Though the island was probably sited by Columbus in 1502, the Carib were able to prevent several settlement attempts by the British and French from the early 17th century until 1803, when the island was ceded to Britain. St. Lucia was part of the West Indies Federation from 1958 until it was dissolved in 1962. Full independence from Britain was granted in 1979. It has a parliamentary government.