SAINT LUCIA - All you need to know | Overview | Caribbean Country

Saint Lucia is an island nation in the eastern Caribbean Sea; it is part of the Windward Islands of in the Lesser Antilles region. It is located north/northeast of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. Saint Lucia is divided into 11 quarters for administrative purpose. One of them is Castries, this is where you will find the capital and the largest city Castries, same name as the quarters, city’s population about 20,000 people. It is built on reclaimed land. Other major towns include Gros Islet a famous tourist hot’s spot and it also has a small airport that services regional air, Soufrière another tourism hots spot and home of Sain Lucia’s famous landmark the sharp rising volcanic peaks Pitons, and Vieux Fort home of the Saint Lucia’s largest and only airport that could accommodate long-range intercontinental aircraft. Physical Geography Saint Lucia is second largest volcanic island, which include one larger island and number of small islands, the largest one is Maria Island, a nature reserve. Saint Lucia is more mountainous than most other Caribbean islands. The highest point of the island is Mount Gimie, at 950 m above sea level on the central mountain range that bisect the country along north to south. The island's two most famous landmarks are the twin peaks of Gros Piton 798 m and Petit Piton 750 m located on the southwestern side of the island. Near Petit Piton, you can visit a ud in the crater of an ancient volcano, water in the spring is about 170 Celsius and creating large plumes of steam. It is the only drive-in volcano in the world. The longest river is the Roseau River with a drainage area of 48 km2. There are no notable natural lakes; however, there is a Roseau Reservoir for municipal water supply built by damming Roseau River. Many streams flow from the mountains through fertile lowlands and valleys empty into the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea. The island is known for its soft sandy beaches, some with black volcanic sand, and its magnificent natural harbors. Forests cover about 77% of the land area. For such a small island, it has the great verity of plans and animal life. Many varieties of orchid and exotic plants grow wild in the rainforest. Even the roadsides are covered in wildflowers. It is also home to many reptiles, some of them are endemic to the island. History Saint Lucia’s 1st know inhabitants are Arawak Indians. Then the Caribs came into the island on around year 800,. Christopher Columbus may have seen the island but he didn’t mention the island in his log. Juan de la Cosa noted the island on his map of 1500; calling it the island, El Falcon. In the late 1550s, the French pirate François le Clerc (known as Jambe de Bois, due to his wooden leg) set up a camp on Pigeon Island attacked passing Spanish ships, An English ship was blown off-course on its way to Guyana, and ended up in Saint Lucia, people from the ship started a settlement. During the period of colonialism, the Caribs continued to fight and stopped multiple attempts of settlement by the Dutch, English and French. In 1651, French West India Company purchased the land from the Caribs to develop a French colony. English sent men to take control of the island, , the French West India Company regained control of the island. African slaved were brought in and sugar plantations started, this made Saint Lucia even more attractive, During the 17th and 18th century, the island changed ownership, or declared neutral territory, at least a dozen times, through all changes French settlements remained on the island well into the eighteenth century. British got control of the island in 1803. Many of the rebels slaved escaped into the thick rainforest and established communities now known as maroons. Slavery continued for a short time. The British stopped importing of slaves by 1807. British officially secured the island 1814, as part of the Treaty of Paris. Slavery was finally abolished in 1836. Then Saint Lucia was part of the West Indies Federation, (1958–1962), when that dissolved it joined West Indies Associated States with internal self-government (1967 – 1979). Saint Lucia was one of the last European colonies to declare independence in 1979 Demography Saint Lucia population is almost 182,000. More than a third of the population live in the District of Castries. Christianity is the main religion English is the official language, but 95% of the population speak Saint Lucian French Creole call Patois ("Patwa"). The Jazz Festival attracts huge crowds and top international talent. Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, a transatlantic sailing competition beginning in Europe and end in St Lucia. Mercury Fest is the ultimate Beach Party. French Creole Heritage month in October celebrate rich and diverse cultural, ethnic and artistic heritage. St. Lucia has two Nobel prize winners claimed the title as most Nobel Prize Laureates per capita

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