Saint Lucia

Achieving full independence from the United Kingdom in 1979, SAINT LUCIA is an island country located in the Caribbean Sea and the Lesser Antilles archipelago. More specifically, Saint Lucia is situated in the Windward Islands — the Lesser Antilles southernmost extent. Saint Lucia is north of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and south of Martinique. Saint Lucia’s currency is the East Caribbean Dollar, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XCD. Citizens annually celebrate the Saint Lucian Independence Day on February 22nd.

● ● ● ● ●  People and Places  ● ● ● ● ●  According to Encyclopædia Britannica, Saint Lucia’s population in the year 2020 is about 181,800 and is ranked 191st among populations of the whole world’s countries, dependencies, and territories. Saint Lucia’s national capital is Castries, which has more than 60,000 inhabitants. Other cities and communities include Canaries, Choiseul, Dennery, Desruisseaux, Grand Anse, Gros Islet, Laborie, Marquis, Micoud, Mon Repos, Praslin, Soufrière, and Vieux Fort. The official language is English, but about 87% of the population speaks Saint Lucian French Creole. An Arawakan language confirmed extinct in the 1920s, Island Carib was widely spoken among native people in Saint Lucia and other Caribbean islands in the Lesser Antilles. Over 95% of religious adherents are Christian, followed by Spiritists (1.7%), Hindus (0.9%), and Muslims (0.45%).

● ● ● ● ●  Land and Water Features  ● ● ● ● ●  Saint Lucia is oftentimes known as the most mountainous island in the Caribbean region, and for a good reason based on its terrain and number of peaks/hills. Mostly located in the west and southwest, several peaks include Coubaril, Gimie, Gros (Large) Piton and Petit (Small) Piton, Houlemon, Marquis, Morton, Parasol (Umbrella), Rabot, Regnier, Tabac, and Terre Blanche. Situated 5.47 kilometers and 3.4 miles east of the Soufrière town, the tallest of these is Mount Gimie — standing about 3,120 feet and over 950 meters in elevation. Saint Lucia features over 30 rivers and streams, which mostly commence in the central, mountainous uplands and radiate towards most sides of the coastline.

Almost exactly in the center of Saint Lucia, the Roseau Reservoir is the largest lake and sits south of the John Compton hydroelectric dam. Saint Lucia has one of the most rugged coastlines of all islands in the Caribbean Sea. This leaves room for dozens of protective harbors, bays, and coves which are typically suitable for recreational boats. Prominent examples include Anse Chapeau, Anse Chastanet, Anse Cochon, Anse Ger, Anse Patience, L’Anse la Raye, Anse des Sables, Anse Violon, Black Bay, Canaries Bay, Chaloupe Bay, Choc Bay, Choiseul Bay, Dennery Bay, Epouge Bay, Fond Bay, Fond d’Or, Grand Anse, Grande Cul de Sac Bay, Laborie Bay, Louvet Bay, Marigot Bay, Marquis Bay, Pitons Bay, Praslin Bay, Rodney Bay, Roseau Bay, Savannes Bay, Soufrière Bay, Troumassée Bay, and Vieux Fort Bay. Finally, access this post (↗) for comprehensive information about rivers and streams throughout the country.

This post was comprehensively updated with more info on July 14th, 2017.