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Coordinates: 13°53′00″N 60°58′00″W / 13.88333°N 60.96667°W / 13.88333; -60.96667
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This article is about the country. For other uses, see Saint Lucia (disambiguation).

Saint Lucia
Motto: "The Land, The People, The Light"
Anthem: "Sons and Daughters of Saint Lucia"
Location of Saint Lucia (circled in red) in the Caribbean
Location of Saint Lucia (circled in red)

in the Caribbean

Capital
and largest city
Castries
13°53′00″N 60°58′00″W / 13.88333°N 60.96667°W / 13.88333; -60.96667[1]
Official languagesEnglish
Vernacular
languages		St. Lucian Creole[2]
Ethnic groups
(2010[3])
Religion
(2010)[4]
Demonym(s)Saint Lucian
GovernmentUnitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
• Monarch
Charles III
Errol Charles (acting)
Philip J. Pierre
LegislatureParliament
• Upper house
Senate
• Lower house
House of Assembly
Independence
1 March 1967
• Independence from the United Kingdom
22 February 1979
Area
• Total
617 km2 (238 sq mi) (178th)
• Water (%)
1.6
Population
• 2022 estimate
Neutral increase 184,961 (189th)
• 2010 census
165,595
• Density
299.4/km2 (775.4/sq mi) (29th)
GDP (PPP)2020 estimate
• Total
Decrease $2.480 billion[5]
• Per capita
Decrease $13,708[5]
GDP (nominal)2020 estimate
• Total
Decrease $1.77 billion[5]
• Per capita
Decrease $9,780[5]
Gini (2016)51.2[6]
high inequality
HDI (2021)Decrease 0.715[7]
high (106th)
CurrencyE.C Dollar (XCD)
Time zoneUTC−4 (AST)
Drives onleft
Calling code+1 758
ISO 3166 codeLC
Internet TLD.lc

Saint Lucia (Template:Lang-acf, Template:Lang-fr) is an island country of the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean.[8] The island was previously called Iouanalao and later Hewanorra, names given by the native Arawaks and Caribs, two Amerindian peoples.[9] Part of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 617 km2 (238 square miles) with an estimated population of over 180,000 people as of 2022. The national capital is the city of Castries.

The first proven inhabitants of the island, the Arawaks, are believed to have first settled in AD 200-400. Around 800 AD, the island would be taken over by the Kalinago. The French were the first Europeans to settle on the island, and they signed a treaty with the native Caribs in 1660. England took control of the island in 1663. In ensuing years, England and France fought 14 times for control of the island, and the rule of the island changed frequently. Eventually, the British took full control in 1814.[10] Because it switched so often between British and French control, Saint Lucia was also known as the "Helen of the West" after the Greek mythological character, Helen of Troy.[11]

Representative government was introduced in about 1840 with Universal suffrage being established in 1953. From 1958 to 1962, the island was a member of the West Indies Federation. On 22 February 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent state, while remaining as a Commonwealth Realm.[8]

Saint Lucia is a member of the United Nations, the Organisation of American States, the World Trade Organization, CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). It is also a member of Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.[12]

Etymology

Saint Lucia was named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse (AD 283 – 304).[13] Saint Lucia and Ireland are the only two sovereign states in the world named after a woman (Ireland is named after the Celtic goddess of fertility Eire).[14] Saint Lucia is the only one named after a human woman. Legend states that French sailors were shipwrecked on the island on 13 December, the feast day of St. Lucy, and therefore named the island in her honour.[15]

History

Main article: History of Saint Lucia

Pre-colonial period

The first proven inhabitants were the Arawaks, though there may have been other native peoples prior to this. The Arawak are believed to have come from northern South America sometime around AD 200–400, as there are numerous archaeological sites on the island where specimens of their well-developed pottery have been found. There is evidence to suggest that the Arawak called the island Iouanalao, meaning 'Land of the Iguanas', due to the island's high number of iguanas.[16]

The Caribs arrived around AD 800, and seized control from the Arawaks by killing their men and assimilating the women into their own society.[16] They called the island Hewanarau, and later Hewanorra (Ioüanalao, or "there where iguanas are found").[17]

Early European period

Christopher Columbus may have sighted the island during his fourth voyage in 1502, since he made landfall on Martinique, yet he does not mention the island in his log. Juan de la Cosa noted the island on his map of 1500, calling it El Falcon, and another island to the south Las Agujas. A Spanish cédula from 1511 mentions the island within the Spanish domain, and a globe in the Vatican made in 1520, shows the island as Sancta Lucia.[18]

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, from where he attacked passing Spanish ships. In 1605, an English vessel called the Oliphe Blossome was blown off-course on its way to Guyana, and the 67 colonists started a settlement on Saint Lucia, after initially being welcomed by the Carib chief Anthonie. By 26 September 1605, only 19 survived following continued attacks by the Carib chief Augraumart, so the settlers fled the island.[19]

French Colony

Main article: French West Indies

In 1664, Thomas Warner (son of Sir Thomas Warner, the governor of St Kitts) claimed Saint Lucia for England. In 1666, the French West India Company resumed control of the island, which in 1674 was made an official French crown colony as a dependency of Martinique.[20]

18th and 19th centuries

Main articles: British West Indies and British Windward Islands

After the slave-based sugar industry developed, both the British and the French found the island attractive. During the 18th century, the island changed ownership, or was declared neutral territory, a dozen times, although the French settlements remained and the island was a de facto French colony well into the eighteenth century.

In 1722, George I of Great Britain granted both Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent to the 2nd Duke of Montagu. Montague appointed Nathaniel Uring, a merchant sea captain and adventurer, as deputy-governor. Uring went to the islands with a group of seven ships, and established settlement at Petit Carenage. Unable to get enough support from British warships, he and the new colonists were quickly run off by the French.[21]

During the Seven Years' War, Britain occupied Saint Lucia for a year, but handed the island back to the French in 1763, under the Treaty of Paris. Like the English and Dutch on other islands, in 1765, the French began to develop the land for the cultivation of sugar cane as a commodity crop on large plantations.

The British occupied the island again between 1778 and 1784.

In January 1791, during the French Revolution, the National Assembly sent four commissaires to St Lucia to spread the revolutionary philosophy. By August 1791, slaves began to abandon their estates and Governor Jean-Joseph Sourbader de Gimat fled. In December 1792, Lt. Jean-Baptiste Raymond de Lacrosse arrived with revolutionary pamphlets, and the impoverished whites and free people of colour began to arm themselves as patriots. On 1 February 1793, France declared war on England and Holland, and General Nicolas Xavier de Ricard took over as Governor. The National Convention abolished enslavement on 4 February 1794. On 1 April 1794, St. Lucia was captured by a British expeditionary force led by Vice Admiral John Jervis. Morne Fortune was renamed Fort Charlotte. Soon, a combined force of French Revolutionary Army soldiers and maroons, L'Armee Française dans les Bois, began to fight back, starting the First Brigand War.[22]

A short time later, the British invaded the island as a part of the war with France that had recently broken out. On 21 February 1795, French forces under the nominal control of Victor Hugues, defeated a battalion of British troops at Vieux Fort and Rabot. In 1796, Castries was burned as part of the conflict. Leading the 27th Inniskilling Fusiliers, General John Moore retook Fort Charlotte in 1796, after two days of bitter fighting. As an honour, the Fusiliers' regimental colour was displayed on the flagstaff of the captured fortress at Morne Fortune for an hour before being replaced by the Union Jack.[23] Upon the capture of the fort, Moore's superior, Ralph Abercromby, departed the island and placed Moore in charge of the British garrison. Moore remained at this post until falling ill with yellow fever, leading to his return to Britain before 1798.

In 1803, the British regained control of the island. Many members of the L'Armee Française dans les Bois escaped into the thick rainforest where they evaded capture and established maroon communities.[24]

Slavery on the island continued for a short time, but anti-slavery sentiment was rising in Britain. The British stopped the import of slaves by anyone, white or coloured, when they abolished the slave trade in 1807.

France and Great Britain continued to contest Saint Lucia until the British secured it in 1814, as part of the Treaty of Paris, ending the Napoleonic Wars. Thereafter, Saint Lucia was considered one of the British Windward Islands colonies.

The institution of slavery was abolished on the island in 1836, as it was throughout the British Empire. After abolition, all former slaves had to serve a four-year "apprenticeship", to accustom them to the idea of freedom. During that period, they worked for their former masters for at least three-quarters of the work week. Full freedom was duly granted by the British in 1838. By that time, people of African ethnicity greatly outnumbered those of ethnic European background. People of Carib descent also comprised a minority on the island.

Castries' harbour was protected by a system of 60 surrounding forts. Along the top of Morne Fortune, there are six military sites. Building work by the French started in 1768, and the British completed the work by 1890. They include Fort Charlotte (Old Morne Fortress), the Apostle's Battery (1888–1890), the Powder Magazine built by the French in the 1750s, Provost's Redoubt (1792) built as a lookout point, and the Combermere barracks.[25]

Flag of Saint Lucia 1939–1967

The best-preserved installation is a battery at La Toc Point. Completed in 1888, it was not abandoned till 1905. This fort, in particular, was built by the British to repel any attack from the United States on the then valuable coaling harbour of Castries.[26]

20th century

See also: West Indies Federation

The Second World War visited the island directly during the Battle of the Caribbean, when a German U-boat attacked and sank two British ships in Castries harbour on 9 March 1942. The United States Navy set up NAF St. Lucia at the Gros Islet.[27][28]

In the mid-twentieth century, Saint Lucia joined the West Indies Federation (1958–1962), 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. In 1979, it gained full independence, under Sir John Compton of the conservative United Workers party (UWP). The new country chose to remain within the British Commonwealth and to retain Queen Elizabeth as Monarch, represented locally by a Governor-General.

Post-independence era

Compton's initial term as Prime Minister lasted only a few months, as he was defeated by the left-leaning Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) under Allan Louisy in the 1979 Saint Lucian general election.[29] The SLP sought to improve ties with socialist countries in the region such as Cuba, though the economy was severely affected by Hurricane Allen in 1980.[30] Louisy was replaced as Prime Minister by Winston Cenac in 1981. The SLP government faced a series of strikes and Cenac agreed to stand down, with Michael Pilgrim of the Progressive Labour Party briefly serving as Acting Prime Minister until the 1982 Saint Lucian general election.[31] This election was won by the UWP under John Compton, who proceeded to rule the country uninterrupted until 1996;[32][33] he was succeeded by Vaughan Lewis, who ruled for just over a year before losing the 1997 Saint Lucian general election to the SLP under Kenny Anthony. During this era the UWP adopted a generally pro-Western, pro-business outlook, seeking to diversify the economy away from over-reliance on bananas and boosting the tourism sector.[30] Compton was also a keen advocate of regional integration.[33]

Anthony remained in power until 2006 when the UWP, again led by Compton, won control of parliament. Compton pledged to boost the economy and tackle the rising crime rate.[34] Police attempts to curb crime were criticised in 2015 when it emerged that several suspects had been unlawfully shot by police and the circumstances of their deaths covered up.[30] In May 2007, after Compton suffered a series of small strokes,[35][36] Finance and External Affairs Minister Stephenson King became acting prime minister and succeeded Compton as Prime Minister when the latter died in September 2007. In November 2011, Kenny Anthony was re-elected as prime minister for a third time.[37] In the June 2016 election the United Worker's Party (UWP) assumed power again, with Allen Chastanet becoming prime minister.[38] On 29 July 2021, Philip Joseph Pierre was sworn in as the 12th Prime Minister of St Lucia since independence in 1979. St Lucia Labour Party (SLP), led by Pierre, reached a clear victory in a general election.[39]

Geography

Main article: Geography of Saint Lucia
A map of Saint Lucia

The volcanic island of Saint Lucia is more mountainous than most Caribbean islands, with the highest point being Mount Gimie, at 950 metres (3,120 feet) above sea level.[13][30] Two other mountains, the Pitons, form the island's most famous landmark.[13][30] They are located between Soufrière and Choiseul on the western side of the island. Forests cover about 77% of the land area.[13]

There are a number of small islands off the coast, the largest of which are the Maria Islands in the south-east.

The capital city of Saint Lucia is Castries (population 60,263) where 32.4% of the population lives. Other major towns include Gros Islet, Soufrière, and Vieux Fort. The population tends to be concentrated around the coast, with the interior more sparsely populated, due to the presence of dense forests.[13][30]

Climate

The local climate is tropical, specifically a tropical rainforest climate (Af) under the Köppen climate classification, moderated by northeast trade winds, with a dry season from 1 December to 31 May, and a wet season from 1 June to 30 November (referred to by locals as the hurricane season).

Average daytime temperatures are around 30 °C (86.0 °F), and average nighttime temperatures are around 24 °C (75.2 °F). Since it is fairly close to the equator, the temperature does not fluctuate much between winter and summer. Average annual rainfall ranges from 1,300 mm (51.2 in) on the coast to 3,810 mm (150 in) in the mountain rainforests.

Climate data for St Lucia
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		30
(86) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		30
(86)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26
(79) 		26
(79) 		26
(79) 		27
(81) 		28
(82) 		28
(82) 		28
(82) 		28
(82) 		28
(82) 		28
(82) 		27
(81) 		26
(79) 		27
(81)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23
(73) 		23
(73) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(76)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 125
(4.9) 		95
(3.7) 		75
(3.0) 		90
(3.5) 		125
(4.9) 		200
(7.9) 		245
(9.6) 		205
(8.1) 		225
(8.9) 		260
(10.2) 		215
(8.5) 		160
(6.3) 		2,020
(79.5)
Average precipitation days 14 9 10 10 11 15 18 16 17 20 18 16 174
Mean monthly sunshine hours 248 226 248 240 248 240 248 248 240 217 240 248 2,891
Source: climatestotravel[40]

Biodiversity

Saint Lucia contains five terrestrial ecoregions: Windward Islands moist forests, Leeward Islands dry forests, Windward Islands dry forests, Windward Islands xeric scrub, and Lesser Antilles mangroves.[41] It had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 6.17/10, ranking it 84th globally out of 172 countries.[42]

A species of lizard, Anolis luciae, is named for and is endemic to Saint Lucia,[43][44] as is Boa orophias (the San Lucia boa), a species of boid snake.

Geology

Saint Lucia geologic map, where Tmov denotes Miocene/Oligocene volcanic rocks, Tplv are Pliocene calc-alkaline volcanic rocks, and Qv are Quaternary volcanic edifices, flows, and pyroclastic deposits
Topography of the Soufriere Volcanic Complex

The geology of St. Lucia can be described as composing three main areas. The oldest, 16–18 Ma, volcanic rocks are exposed from Castries northward and consist of eroded basalt and andesite centres. The middle, central highlands, portion of the island consists of dissected andesite centres, 10.4 to 1 Mya, while the lower southwest portion of the island contains recent activity from the Soufriere Volcanic Centre (SVC). This SVC, centred about the Qualibou depression, contains pyroclastic flow deposits, lava flows, domes, block and ash flow deposits, and explosion craters. This depression's perimeter includes the town of Soufriere, Mount Tabac, Mt. Gimie, Morne Bonin, and Gros Piton. At 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) in diameter, though the western portion is open towards the Grenada basin, the depression formed as recently as 100 kya. The depression is noted for its geothermal activity, especially at Sulphur Springs and Soufrière Estates, a phreatic eruption in 1776, and recent seismic activity (2000–2001).[45]

Eroded andesitic stratovolcanoes to the north east of the depression include Mt. Gimie, Piton St Esprit, and Mt. Grand Magazin, all greater than 1 Ma in age. Andesitic and dacite pyroclastic flows from these volcanoes are found at Morne Tabac dome (532 ka), Morne Bonin dome (273 kya), and Bellevue (264 kya). Avalanche deposits from the formation of the Qualibou depression are found offshore, and in the massive blocks of Rabot, Pleisance, and Coubaril. The dacitic domes of Petit Piton (109 kya) and Gros Piton (71 kya) were then extruded onto the depression floor accompanied by the Anse John (104 kya) and La Pointe (59.8 kya) pyroclastic flows. Later, pyroclastic flows include pumice-rich Belfond and Anse Noir (20 kya). Finally, the dacitic domes of Terre Blanche (15.3 kya) and Belfond (13.6 kya) formed within the depression.[45]

Government

Main article: Politics of Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth realm. Charles III serves as the King of St. Lucia, represented on the island by a governor-general. The prime minister[46] is normally the head of the party commanding the support of the majority of the members of the House of Assembly, which has 17 seats.[47] The other chamber of Parliament, the Senate, has eleven appointed members.

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre

Saint Lucia is a two-party parliamentary democracy. Three political parties participated in the 2021 general election. The Labour Party, led by Philip J. Pierre, won thirteen of the seventeen seats.[48]

Administrative divisions

Main article: Districts of Saint Lucia
Rank District Population
1 Castries 60,263
2 Gros Islet 22,647
3 Vieux Fort 14,632
4 Micoud 14,480
5 Dennery 11,874
6 Soufrière 7,747
7 Laborie 6,507
8 Anse la Raye 6,033
9 Choiseul 5,766
10 Canaries 1,915
Source:[49]

The districts of the island, established by the French colonial government and continued by the British, are:

An additional area is the Forest Reserve Area Quarter (78.3 km2).

Law and Crime

Further information: Crime in Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is a mixed jurisdiction,[50] meaning that it has a legal system based in part on both the civil law and English common law. The Civil Code of St. Lucia of 1867 was based on the Quebec Civil Code of 1866, as supplemented by English common law-style legislation.

There were 74 homicides recorded in 2021, a 34.5% increase compared with the 55 homicides in 2020. The murder rate in 2021 is the highest in Saint Lucia's recorded history.[51]

Foreign relations

Further information: Foreign relations of Saint Lucia
Prime Minister Chastanet with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto in 2017

Saint Lucia maintains friendly relations with the major powers active in the Caribbean, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France.

Saint Lucia is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and La Francophonie. Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth Realm.

Saint Lucia became the 152nd member of the United Nations on 9 December 1979.[52] As of January 2018, Cosmos Richardson, who presented his credentials on 22 February 2017, was Saint Lucia's representative to the United Nations.[53]

Organization of American States (OAS)

The Charter of the Organization of American States was signed in Bogota in 1948 and was amended by several protocols which were named after the city and the year in which the protocol was signed, such as Managua in 1993 forming part of the name of the protocol.[54]

Saint Lucia entered the OAS system on 22 February 1979.[55]

Agreements which impact on financial relationships

The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994

At a CARICOM meeting, the representative of St. Lucia, John Compton, signed The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994 on 6 July 1994.[56]

The representatives of seven CARICOM countries signed similar agreements at Sherbourne Conference Centre, St. Michael, Barbados.[56] The countries whose representatives signed the treaties in Barbados were Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.[56]

This treaty covered taxes, residence, tax jurisdictions, capital gains, business profits, interest, dividends, royalties and other areas.

FATCA

On 30 June 2014, Saint Lucia signed a Model 1 agreement with the United States of America in relation to Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).[57] As of 1 September 2016, the status of the agreement is listed as "in force".

Preceding the 2014 FATCA agreement is one which was entered into on 30 January 1987, between the United States of America and Saint Lucia according to Paragraph 2 of the Model 1 agreement, the purpose of which was to exchange tax information.[58]

Military

Further information: Military of Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia has a paramilitary force. A Special Service Unit (SSU) and the Coast Guard are both under the command of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF). Although the SSU is under the RSLPF, they are called in as the last line of defence or for more severe cases.[59][60]

In 2018, Saint Lucia signed the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.[61]

Economy

Main article: Economy of Saint Lucia
A proportional representation of Saint Lucia exports, 2019
Saint Lucia electricity production by source

Saint Lucia is a Small Island Developing State, a designation similar to a developing country with a few substantial differences due to Saint Lucia's island nature. The services sector is the largest sector of the economy, accounting for 86.9% of GDP in 2020. This is followed by industry and agriculture at 10.9% and 2.2%, respectively.

Saint Lucia has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries, which are Saint Lucia's main source of revenue.[62] The manufacturing sector has been relatively successful, and goods like plastic are created on a large scale.

Inflation has been relatively low, averaging 5.5 percent between 2006 and 2008. Saint Lucia's currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), a regional currency shared among members of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECU). The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCL) issues the EC$, manages monetary policy, and regulates and supervises commercial banking activities in member countries. In 2003, the government began a comprehensive restructuring of the economy, including elimination of price controls and privatization of the state banana company.[63]

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Saint Lucia
Gros Islet and Rodney Bay, as seen from Pigeon Island

Tourism is easily the largest contributor to Saint Lucia's economy. Tourist numbers tend to be more substantial during the dry season (January to April), often referred to as the tourist season. Saint Lucia's tropical weather, scenery, beaches and resorts have made it a popular tourist destination, with 1.29 million visitors arriving in 2019.[64]

Some of Saint Lucia's tourist attractions include the Sulphur Springs, the Botanical Gardens, Pigeon Island and The Pitons.

Agriculture

The agricultural sector was once the main contributor to Saint Lucia's economy. This was especially thanks to the exporting of bananas. However, its importance to the economy has declined significantly, in part due to increased competition from South American countries in the banana industry. Nevertheless, agriculture is still an important part of the country's economy, providing 7.9% of jobs and contributing to 2.2% of the GDP in 2021.

About 18% of land is used for agricultural practices.[65] Bananas remain the main agricultural product grown in Saint Lucia, as well as coconuts, cocoa beans, mangoes, avocados, vegetables, citrus fruits, and root crops such as yams and sweet potatoes.

The fishing industry has been a major contributor to Saint Lucia's agricultural economy. Saint Lucia also has a small livestock sector, which is dominated by poultry. The island is self-sufficient in egg production and production of poultry and pork has increased in recent years.

Infrastructure

Saint Lucian's are served by multiple public bus networks which cover most places on the island. Busses are owned by their drivers, with the government being responsible for setting routes and hubs. Saint Lucia has two airports, including one international airport.

Most electricity in Saint Lucia is produced from oil, although solar energy is also common. There have also been efforts to use geothermal energy for electricity. Wind energy is also a source of energy on the island.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Saint Lucia

A census is normally held in Saint Lucia every 10 years. IN the last census, held in 2010, Saint Lucia reported a population of 165,595 in 58,920 households.[66] This was a 5.1% increase from the 157,490 recorded at the previous census in 2001.[67] Ages 0-14 made up 24.1% of the population whilst those 65 and over made up 8.6%. Nearly 40% of the island's population lived in the District of Castries, where the nation's capital of the same name is located.

Saint Lucia had a fertility rate of 1.4 children per woman in 2021, the lowest in the Americas. This is much lower than in 1990, when the birth rate was 3.4 children per woman, and significantly lower than in 1959, when the birth rate peaked at 6.98 children per woman.[68] Most emigration from Saint Lucia is primarily to Anglophone countries, with the United Kingdom having almost 10,000 Saint Lucian-born citizens, and over 30,000 of Saint Lucian heritage. The United States is also home to many Saint Lucian emigrants, especially in areas such as Miami and New York. Canada is also home to many Saint Lucians. The median age of Saint Lucians was 33.1 years in 2021.[69]

Ethnic groups

Saint Lucia was originally populated by Amerindian peoples. However, European colonisation led to a significant drop in the indigenous populations. Whilst most residents of the island were white planters, African slaves and Indentured servants brought by the Europeans would eventually outnumber them. Because of this, Saint Lucia's population is predominantly of African and mixed descent. As of 2010, 85.3% of the population are black and 10.9% are of multiracial descent. Other groups include Indo-Caribbean persons (2.2%), whites (0.6%), and Indigenous Persons (0.6%).

Languages

The official language of Saint Lucia is English. However, there are other widely spoken languages on the island, namely Saint Lucian French Creole (Kwéyòl). Referred colloquially as Patois ("Patwa"), it is spoken by majority of the population.[70] .[70] It developed during the early period of French colonisation and is derived chiefly from French and West African languages. There have been some attempts to make the language official, but they have not yet been successful.

Religion

Religion in Saint Lucia (2010 census)[3]

  Christianity (90.3%)
  Irreligion (5.9%)
  Rastafarianism (1.9%)
  Other Religions (0.5%)
  Not Stated (1.4%)

In the 2010 census, a majority of Saint Lucians identified as Christians. This can be traced back to the nation's colonization by French and British settlers. Due to heavy French influence, most Christians on the island are Catholics, with 61.5% of the island's residents identifying as such. 25.5% of the island's residents identify as Protestants. In addition, 1.9% of the population identified as members of the Rastafari movement. The number of residents claiming no religion stood at 5.9% in 2010.

There is no state religion in Saint Lucia. The nation's constitution guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits forcing persons to take oath to any religion in which they do not follow. Religious groups are also guaranteed the freedom to establish places of education.[71]

Education

Further information: Education in Saint Lucia

Most primary and secondary schools in Saint Lucia are operated by the government. Education is free and compulsory for children aged 5 to 15. This includes 7 years of primary school and 3 of 5 years of secondary school.[72] In the last two years of secondary school, students are allowed to choose the subjects that they would like to do, in preparation for regional CSEC examinations. In 2020, public spending on education was at 3.6%.[73]

Tertiary educational facilities on the island are normally private institutions. These include Monroe College and International American University. However, there are still a few public institutions, including the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and the University of the West Indies.

Healthcare

Main article: Health in Saint Lucia
File:Screenshot 20221207-163657 DuckDuckGo.png
The OKEU Hospital, opened in 2020, is the main healthcare facility in Saint Lucia.

Health services in Saint Lucia are split between the government and private institutions. The island is served by 2 public hospitals and multiple health centers, although most dental and vision services are private. Public expenditure on healthcare stood at 2.1% in 2019.

In 2021, life expectancy was at 71.1 years (67.8 for men and 74.7 for women). This was compared to 73.4 years in 2019. The drop in life expectancy was largely attributed to the Covid-19 Pandemic, as well as a large increase in homicides.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Saint Lucia
The Saint Lucia Jazz Festival in Castries

The culture of Saint Lucia has been influenced by African, East Indian, French, and English heritage. One of the secondary languages is Saint Lucian French Creole or Kwéyòl, spoken by almost all of the population.[2][74]

Saint Lucia boasts the highest ratio of Nobel laureates produced with respect to the total population of any sovereign country in the world.[a] Two winners have come from Saint Lucia: Sir Arthur Lewis won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979,[75] and the poet Derek Walcott received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992.[76]

Festivals

Saint Lucian cultural festivals include La Rose celebrated on 30 August and La Marguerite on 17 October, the first representing a native Saint Lucian fraternal society known as the Order of the Rose that is fashioned in the mould of Rosicrucianism, and the second representing its traditional rival, the native Saint Lucian equivalent of Freemasonry known as the Order of the Marguerite.[77] References to their origins as versions of pre-existing external secret societies can be seen in a mural painted by Dunstan St Omer, depicting the holy trinity of Osiris, Horus, and Isis.

The biggest festival of the year is the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival. Held in early May at multiple venues throughout the island, it draws visitors and musicians from around the world. The grand finale or main stage is held at Pigeon Island,[78] which is located to the north of the island.

Traditionally, like other Caribbean countries, Saint Lucia holds a carnival before Lent. In 1999, the government moved Carnival to mid-July to avoid competing with the much larger Trinidad and Tobago carnival and so as to attract more overseas visitors.

In May 2009, Saint Lucians commemorated the 150th anniversary of West Indian Heritage on the island.

Music and Dance

Further information: Music of Saint Lucia

Together with Caribbean music genres such as calypso, Soca, dancehall, reggae, compas, zouk, and salsa, Saint Lucia has a strong indigenous folk music tradition. Each May since 1991, Saint Lucia has hosted an internationally renowned Jazz Festival. In 2013, the festival was re-branded The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival which encompassed culture, visual art, alternative music, education, fashion, and food.

Dancing in Saint Lucia is inspired by Caribbean culture and enjoys an active following. A popular folk dance is the kwadril.[79]

Cinema

Caribbean Cinemas operates in Saint Lucia. The cinema is located at Choc Estate in Castries. There are a Bank of St. Lucia ATM, Domino's Pizza outlet, and a cafe nearby.

Much of the scenery for the film Dr. Dolittle was shot in Saint Lucia in 1967.[80] Water was shot on the island,[81] as were parts of Firepower.

Food

Further information: Saint Lucian cuisine

Saint Lucia's national dish is green figs and saltfish.[82]

The island's cuisine is a unique blend of European (mainly British and French) and Indian cuisine; this creates dynamic meal dishes such as macaroni pie, Stew chicken, rice and peas, fish broth or fish water, and soups packed full with fresh locally produced vegetables. Typical essential foodstuffs are potatoes, onions, celery, thyme, coconut milk, the very hot scotch bonnet peppers, flour, and cornmeal. All mainstream meat and poultry are eaten in St. Lucia; meat and seafood are normally stewed and browned to create a rich gravy sometimes served over ground provisions or rice. The island is also home to the famous fried dough, known by many as a bake or Johnny Cake. These bakes can be served with different sides, such as saltfish which is either sautéed or lightly fried along with red, green peppers, onions, and seasoned well. This is the most common way for bake to be prepared, though it can also be served with meats such as stewed chicken or beef.[citation needed]

Sports

Further information: Sport in Saint Lucia
Daren Sammy Cricket Ground hosts international cricket matches for the West Indies.
Cricketer Daren Sammy

The Windward Islands cricket team includes players from Saint Lucia and plays in the West Indies regional tournament. Daren Sammy became the first Saint Lucian to represent the West Indies on his debut in 2007, and since 2010 has captained the side.[83] In an international career spanning 2003 to 2008, and including 41 ODIs and one Test, Nadine George MBE became the first woman to score a Test century for the team.[84] Sammy and George were recognised by the Saint Lucian government as Sportsman of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year respectively for 2004.[85]

For sailing enthusiasts, the annual Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) race begins in the Canary Islands and ends in Saint Lucia. The year 2015 marked the ARC's 30th year of existence. Every November, the race attracts over 200 boats and 1,200 people to sail across the Atlantic to the Caribbean.

In 2019 a new horse racing industry was launched under the administration of the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club. The inaugural race day was held on Saint Lucia's National Day. The feature race was the Pitons Cup.[86]

  • Toraille Waterfall – July 2016
    Toraille Waterfall – July 2016
  • Gros Piton seen from the Ladera Hotel restaurant – September 2007
    Gros Piton seen from the Ladera Hotel restaurant – September 2007
  • Cruiseship harbour in Castries, the capital city of Saint Lucia
    Cruiseship harbour in Castries, the capital city of Saint Lucia
  • A view of Soufrière, the original capital of Saint Lucia
    A view of Soufrière, the original capital of Saint Lucia

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ See List of countries by Nobel laureates per capita for more information.

Citations

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  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference CIAStLucia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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Sources

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