St. Lucia

History

It took more than one hundred years after the discovery of the new world for a permanent European settlement to be made in St. Lucia. However, the sharp, volcanic peaks and forested valleys which then made the island difficult to colonize now have it topping ‘most beautiful’ lists all over the world. In 2006, after St. Lucia’s Pitons were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Oprah Magazine named the island one of the most important places to visit in your lifetime.

By 1639, the British had finally made a permanent settlement on the island, only to be ousted by the French in 1659. Over the next 150 years, St. Lucia changed hands 14 times between the battling superpowers which, though slow to begin settlement of the island, were vigorous in their attempts once they commenced. Today, the island’s landscape is decorated with colonial forts - evidence of the tumultuous history that has given rise to St. Lucia’s rich tapestry of culture.

In 1814, St. Lucia was ceded to England by the Treaty of Paris and became a sugar colony in the British Empire. On February 2nd1979, the island attained political independence and became the 40th member of the British Commonwealth.

Situation and climate

This wildly romantic island is a part of the Lesser Antilles, and is found south of Martinique and north of St. Vincent. St. Lucia has an area of 616 km², and is 43 km long and 23 km wide.

The tropical climate is regulated by the cooling north-east Trade Winds blowing in from the Atlantic all year round. In winter, the temperatures sway between 18° and 31° Celsius. Although this also happens to be the dry season, there are pleasant rain showers every now and then.

The summer, starting in June and ending in November is the rainy season. The temperature rises from 23° to 35° Celsius at this time, and one can count on short but powerful rain showers. Besides this, the possibility of a hurricane is extremely low.

Population

The island has approximately 164,200 residents of predominantly African origin, 70,000 of which live in the capital, Castries. The Lucians, as they are known, are renowned for their warmth and friendliness.

English is the official language of St. Lucia, but a French patois is widely spoken. The population is mostly Christian, 90% of which are Roman Catholic.

Leisure activities/ Highlights on the island

With such artists as Wynton Marsalis and Herbie Hancock in previous line-ups, it is no wonder that the St. Lucia Jazz Festival is rated as the best in the Caribbean and among the top five Jazz Festivals in the world.

Right on the heels of Jazz is Carnival, one of the most exciting summer events in the region. This festival, beginning on the first of June, is a month and a half long, and culminates in a two day street party that is not for the faint of heart.

St. Lucia also offers splendid activities for those who desire a quieter, perhaps more secluded form of entertainment. Gros Piton and Petit Piton are volcanic spires that rise side by side from the sea, dominating the town of Soufriere with its drive-in volcano, botanical gardens and warm and cold waterfalls. One may enjoy the view from the ground or from the top of their peaks, both over seven hundred meters in the air.

Other exotic leisure activities include snorkelling and diving among the psychedelic reefs, or bird watching in the rainforest. Sporting enthusiasts may enjoy golf, tennis, sailing and numerous other activities. One may explore the island by car, taxi, coach, boat or, for the most impressive views, by helicopter.

National holidays include Independence, on the 22nd of February, and National Day or Discovery Day on the 13th of December.

Economy

Since 2003, St. Lucia, a state driven by free enterprise, has recorded good economic data, including growth of the BIP. This is largely due to the tourism sector, which is expanding at a rate of approximately 17% per annum.

St. Lucia is a member of the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States), and enjoys the stable currency of that group’s economic union. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is used by all OECS states and is regulated by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. Despite its strong currency, St. Lucia’s cost of living is lower than that of Great Britain or the United States. US$1 is equal to EC$2.70, while GBP1 is equal to EC$ 4.70.

Security

St. Lucia is safer from violence and drugs than most cities in Great Britain and North America. The police are attentive and the government is keen on keeping the crime rate low. There are no political or social upheavals.

Infrastructure

St. Lucia has two airports, the Hewanorra International Airport and the George F. L. Charles Airport. Hewanorra International Airport (Code: UVF), directly connects St. Lucia to London via British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. From USA you can reach St. Lucia with various airlines such as American Airlines, Jamaican Airlines and Delta Airlines and from Canada with Air Canada. George F. L. Charles Airport (Code: SLU) is close to Vigie Beach, 2 km north of Castries, capital city of St. Lucia.

The island’s most important harbours are Castries, Cul-de-Sac and Vieux-Fort.

Drivers’ license

One may easily purchase a St. Lucian drivers’ licence, which is valid for three months. International drivers’ license holders do not need to purchase a new license in St. Lucia.