Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia (sānt l`shə, –sēə), island nation (2005 est. pop. 166,000), 238 sq mi (616 sq km), West Indies, one of the Windward Islands. The capital is Castries. Morne Gimie (3,145 ft/959 m high) and the twin pyramidal cones known as the Pitons are the most imposing landmarks. The country is often damaged by hurricanes. The population is largely of African descent and Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion. English is the official language, but a French patois is also widely spoken. The economy is largely based on agriculture (bananas, cocoa beans, and other tropical products are exported) and tourism. Saint Lucia has diversified its industrial base and possesses an oil refinery and transshipment facilities.

History

Columbus may have sighted the island on his 1502 voyage. The British failed in their first attempts at colonization in the early 17th cent. The island was later settled by the French, who signed a treaty with the local Caribs in 1660. Thereafter Saint Lucia was much contested by the two European powers until the British secured it in 1814. It was part of the British Windward Islands colony, and joined the West Indies Federation (1958–62) when the colony was dissolved. In 1967, Saint Lucia became one of the six members of the West Indies Associated States, with internal self-government, and in 1979 it gained full independence. Sir John Compton of the conservative United Workers party (UWP) was prime minister from 1982 to 1996, when he was succeeded by Vaughn Lewis. Kenny Anthony of the Labor party was prime minister from 1997 to 2006, when the UWP, again led by Compton, won control of parliament.

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Saint Lucia

Island country, Windward Islands, in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Area: 238 sq mi (617 sq km). Population (2005 est.): 161,000. Capital: Castries. Most of the population is of African descent. Languages: English (official), French patois. Religions: Christianity (Roman Catholic, Protestant); also Rastafarianism. Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar. Saint Lucia is of volcanic origin; within the Qualibou Caldera is Sulphur Springs, which continues to emit steam and gases and is a prime tourist attraction. Wooded mountains run north-south, culminating in Mount Gimie (3,145 ft [958.6 m]). The economy is based on agriculture and tourism. Saint Lucia is a constitutional monarchy with a parliament of two legislative houses; its chief of state is the British monarch represented by the governor-general, and the head of government is the prime minister. Caribs replaced early Arawak inhabitants c. AD 800–1300. Settled by the French in 1650, Saint Lucia was ceded to Great Britain in 1814 and became one of the Windward Islands in 1871. It became fully independent in 1979.