MONETARY UNIT: The East Caribbean dollar (ec$) of 100 cents is the national currency. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 25 cents and 1 dollar, and notes of 5, 10, 20, and 100 East Caribbean dollars. ec$1 = us$0.37037 (or us$1 = ec$2.7) as of 2004.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system has been introduced, but imperial measures are still commonly employed.

HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Carnival, 8–9 February; Independence Day, 22 February; Labor Day, 1 May; Queen’s Official Birthday, 5 June; Bank Holiday, 1st Monday in August; Thanksgiving Day, 1st Monday in October; St. Lucia Day, 13 December; Christmas Day, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Whitmonday, and Corpus Christi.

TIME: 8 am = noon GMT.

1 Location and Size

The Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, part of the Windward Islands group of the Lesser Antilles, has a total area of 616 square kilometers (238 square miles), slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. The total coastline is 158 kilometers (98 miles). The capital city, Castries, is located on Saint Lucia’s northwest coast.

2 Topography

Saint Lucia is a volcanic island, the younger part of which is the mountainous southern half and the older part is the hilly but more nearly level northern half. The highest mountain, Mount Gimie, rises 950 meters (3,116 feet) above sea level. Better known are the two peaks on the southern coast, Gros Piton (798 meters/2618 feet) and Petit Piton, which together form one of the scenic highlights of the West Indies. The lowlands and valleys of the island have fertile soil and are irrigated by many streams. The island has beautiful beaches, some with black volcanic sand. The lowest point is at sea level (Caribbean Sea).

GEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Geographic Features

Area: 616 sq km (238 sq mi)

Size ranking: 178 of 194

Highest elevation: 950 meters (3,116 feet) at Mount Gimie

Lowest elevation: Sea level at the Caribbean Sea

Land Use*

Arable land: 6%

Permanent crops: 23%

Other: 71%

Weather**

Average annual precipitation: 231–380 centimeters (91–150 inches)

Average temperature in January: 26°c (79°f)

Average temperature in July: 26°c (79°f)

* Arable Land: Land used for temporary crops, like meadows for mowing or pasture, gardens, and greenhouses.

Permanent crops: Land cultivated with crops that occupy its use for long periods, such as cocoa, coffee, rubber, fruit and nut orchards, and vineyards.

Other: Any land not specified, including built-on areas, roads, and barren land.

** The measurements for precipitation and average temperatures were taken at weather stations closest to the country’s largest city.

Precipitation and average temperature can vary significantly within a country, due to factors such as latitude, altitude, coastal proximity, and wind patterns.

3 Climate

The average yearly temperature on Saint Lucia is 26°c (79°f). The average annual rainfall at sea level is 231 centimeters (91 inches). Annual rainfall is higher in the mountainous areas. Like the rest of the West Indies, Saint Lucia is vulnerable to hurricanes.

4 Plants and Animals

Tropical sunlight, heavy rainfall, and fertile soil combine to produce an abundance of tropical plants, including hibiscus, orchids, jasmine, and bougainvillea. There are no large mammals on Saint Lucia. Bats are common and there are several species of small snakes. The central highlands provide nesting places for many birds, including flycatchers, hummingbirds, pigeons, and about one hundred other species. The surrounding sea contains lobster, turtle, and conch, as well as an abundance of fish.

5 Environment

Much of the nation’s protective woodland has been cut down for agricultural and commercial interests. The loss of forest cover contributes to the erosion of the soil, particularly in the drier, northern part of the island. The nation does not have the financial resources to develop an adequate water purification system. The population is at risk from contamination of the water supply by agricultural chemicals and sewage. Two small areas have been set aside as nature preserves, but population pressure prevents the government from expanding them.

Excessive use of herbicides and pesticides threaten the wildlife population in Saint Lucia and the eastern Caribbean states in general. Endangered or threatened species include the Saint Lucia parrot and Saint Lucia white-breasted thrasher. In 2006, threatened species included two types of mammal, five species of birds, six types of reptiles, ten species of fish, and six species of plants. The Saint Lucia giant rice rat has become extinct.

6 Population

In 2005, the population of Saint Lucia was estimated at 163,000. Some 14,000 persons live in Castries, the capital. The nation’s population density in 2005 was 268 persons per square kilometer (741 per square mile). The projected population for the year 2025 is 209,000.

7 Migration

Overcrowding has resulted in emigration to neighboring countries, including Trinidad, Guyana, the French Caribbean islands, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. In 2000, the number of migrants was 8,000. In 2005, the estimated net migration rate was -2.19 migrants per 1,000 population.

8 Ethnic Groups

It is estimated that 90% of Saint Lucians are descendants of slaves brought from Africa in the 17th and 18th centuries. About 6% are of mixed origin and 3% are East Indian. Approximately 1% of the population is of European descent.

9 Languages

English is the official language of Saint Lucia. Nearly 20% of the population cannot speak it, however. Language outreach programs are seeking to integrate these people into the mainstream of society. Almost all the islanders also speak

a French patois based on a mixture of African and French grammar. Their vocabulary consists of mostly French words sprinkled with some English and Spanish.

10 Religions

The vast majority of the population is Christian. About 67% of the residents are Roman Catholic. There is also a substantial Protestant community comprised of Anglicans, Pentecostals, Seventh-Day Adventists, Baptists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Methodists. There are small communities of Baha’is, Rastafarians, Hindus, and Muslims. The constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

11 Transportation

Hewanorra International Airport is located on the southern tip of the island. The smaller Vigie Airport, located near Castries, is used for flights to and from neighboring Caribbean islands. Saint Lucia has two important ports: Castries, in the north, and Vieux Fort, to the south, from which ferries link Saint Lucia with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. All of the island’s towns, villages, and main residential areas were linked by 1,210 kilometers (752 miles) of all-purpose roads in 2002, of which 63 kilometers (39 miles) were paved. Motor vehicles number about 12,157, including 11,399 passenger cars and 758 commercial vehicles.

12 History

Arawak and Carib Amerindians were the earliest known inhabitants of what is now Saint Lucia. According to tradition, Christopher Columbus sighted Saint Lucia on Saint Lucy’s Day (13 December) in 1498. It was not settled until the mid-17th century because the Caribs defended the islands successfully for years. The French first settled the island, but it changed hands between the British and the French no fewer than 14 times, until the British took permanent possession in 1814. In 1838, Saint Lucia came under the administration of the Windward Islands government established by Great Britain.

Unlike other islands in the area, sugar did not monopolize commerce on Saint Lucia. Instead, it was just one product among many others, including tobacco, ginger, and cotton. Small farms rather than large plantations continued to dominate agricultural production into the twentieth century. After slavery was abolished in 1834, East Indian indentured workers were brought to the island during the late 1800s.

Saint Lucia established full internal self-government in 1967. On 22 February 1979, it became an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The first three years of independence were marked by political turmoil and civil strife, as leaders of rival parties fought bitterly for control of the government. In 1982, the conservative United Workers’ Party (UWP) won 14 of 17 seats in the House of Assembly. Party leader John Compton became prime minister at independence. In 1992, the UWP controlled 11 parliamentary seats. After 15 years out of office, the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) won control of the legislature in 1997. Parliamentary elections were held again in December 2001 and Prime Minister Kenny Anthony’s SLP won with 54% of the vote.

Economically, the nation has struggled with its primary source of income, the banana crop. Saint Lucia suffered back-to-back tropical storms in 1994 and 1995 that caused banana-crop losses of 65% and 20%, respectively. At about the same time, the United States began to challenge the preferential treatment in regards

to trade accorded by several European nations to their former colonies in the Caribbean. In 1999, the World Trade Organization ruled that the United States could impose trade penalties on Europe in response to their banana import policies. St. Lucia joined with its Caribbean neighbors in lobbying against the ruling. A 2002 tropical storm again destroyed about half of the banana crop, leading the government to consider promotion of other agricultural groups.

In elections held in December 2006, rising crime and high unemployment led to the defeat of Prime Minister Kenny Anthony and his party, the SLP. Winning control of the legislature and office of prime minister were the UWP and Sir John Compton.

13 Government

Under the 1979 constitution, the British monarch, as official head of government, is represented by a governor-general. Executive power is exercised by the prime minister and cabinet. There is a two-chamber parliament consisting of a senate with 11 members and a house of assembly with 17 representatives. Saint Lucia is divided into 11 administrative regions.

14 Political Parties

One of the majority parties is the left-of-center Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), led by Kenny Anthony. The United Workers’ Party (UWP),

BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Name: Sir John Compton

Position: Prime minister of a Westminster-style parliamentary democracy

Took Office: 15 December 2006

Birthplace: St. Lucia

Birthdate: 1926

Education: Served as premier from 1964 to 1979, then as prime minister (1979–96).

led by Sir John Compton, is by reputation the more conservative party. As of the 2004 elections, the UWP held 11 seats in the house of assembly to the SLP’s 6.

15 Judicial System

The lowest court is the district or magistrate’s court, above which is the Court of Summary Jurisdiction. The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, with international jurisdiction, is seated in Castries.

In 2003, Caribbean leaders met in Jamaica to establish the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Saint Lucia was one of eight nations that approved the CCJ, although 14 nations were planning to use the court for appeals. The CCJ will hear cases that were once taken to the Privy Council in the United Kingdom.

16 Armed Forces

There are no armed forces other than the police department and coast guard. However, the nation has signed a regional defense pact that provides for joint defense and disaster contingency plans. This pact, founded in 1985, is known as the Eastern Caribbean Regional Security System and includes eight nations.

17 Economy

Agriculture has traditionally been the main economic activity on Saint Lucia, which was once the leading producer of bananas in the Windward Islands group. The banana trade has declined, however, and the government has encouraged farmers to diversify their crops. Tourism has become an important economic activity. Saint Lucia’s manufacturing sector has grown steadily, with the construction of many light manufacturing and assembly plants.

18 Income

In 2005, the gross domestic product (GDP) was us$866 million, or about us$5,400 per person. The annual growth rate of GDP was estimated at 5% that year. The average inflation rate in 2002 was 3%.

19 Industry

Saint Lucia’s manufacturing industry is the largest in the Windward Islands, with many assembly plants producing apparel, electronic components, plastic products, and paper and cardboard boxes. Agricultural processing includes lime and coconut processing. Several industrial estates and free-trade zones were established during the 1990s. Capital projects in construction during the fiscal year 1999–2000 stimulated growth.

20 Labor

In 2001, the labor force was estimated at 43,800. In 2002, it was estimated that about 21.7% of the workforce was involved in agriculture, 53.6% in services, and the remainder in commerce, manufacturing and industry. Unemployment was estimated at 20% in 2003. As of 2001, unions represented about 20% of the workforce.

The law provides for a minimum working age of 14. There is a minimum wage for office clerks only, which was us$300 per month in 2001.

21 Agriculture

Agriculture accounted for about 7% of GDP in 2004. The production of bananas, Saint Lucia’s most important crop, was at 120,000 tons that year. Almost the entire amount is exported. The second most important crop is coconuts, which are exported as oil and copra (dried coconut meat). About 14,000 tons of coconuts were produced in 2004. The production of vegetables and fruits is for local consumption. In 2004, the value of exported agricultural products amounted to us$34.6 million.

22 Domesticated Animals

In 2005, Saint Lucia had only about 12,400 head of cattle on the island. There were also an estimated 12,500 sheep, 10,000 pigs, and 9,800 goats on the island. Saint Lucia has attained self-sufficiency in pork and egg production. In 2005, egg production was about 482 tons.

23 Fishing

The establishment of the Saint Lucia Fish Market Corporation in 1985, with a us$2.5-million grant from Canada, provides local fishermen with processing, storage, and marketing facilities, enabling Saint Lucia to become self-sufficient in

Yearly Growth Rate

This economic indicator tells by what percent the economy has increased or decreased when compared with the previous year.

fresh fish production. In 2003, the total catch was 1,466 tons. Dolphinfish, wahoo, and black-fin tuna were the primary species harvested.

24 Forestry

A small timber industry processes mahogany, pine, and blue mahoe. About 15% of total available land consists of forest and woodlands. From 1990 to 2000, deforestation continued at an annual average of 4.9%. In 2004, imports of forest products amounted to us$11.7 million.

25 Mining

Mining plays a minor role in Saint Lucia’s economy. Gravel and sand pits and pumice quarries supply the island’s construction sector.

Components of the Economy

This pie chart shows how much of the country’s economy is devoted to agriculture (including forestry, hunting, and fishing), industry, or services.

26 Foreign Trade

In 2004, St. Lucia exported us$81 million in bananas, cocoa, vegetables, other fruits, oils and fats, and manufactured goods. Primary imports include food, fuel, manufactured goods, machinery, and transport equipment. Major trading partners include the United Kingdom, the United States, and Trinidad and Tobago.

27 Energy and Power

Electric power production, totaling 269 million kilowatt-hours in 2002, came entirely from conventional thermal sources. Saint Lucia’s requirements are met through an island-wide grid serviced by two main diesel generating centers, which use oil imported from Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. The country has no reserves of oil, natural gas, or coal.

28 Social Development

The National Insurance program provides all workers between the ages of 16 and 60 with old-age, disability, survivor, sickness, and maternity

Yearly Balance of Trade

The balance of trade is the difference between what a country sells to other countries (its exports) and what it buys (its imports). If a country imports more than it exports, it has a negative balance of trade (a trade deficit). If exports exceed imports there is a positive balance of trade (a trade surplus).

coverage, as well as workers’ compensation. Efforts have been made to improve the status of women, especially in employment.

29 Health

There were two general hospitals, one psychiatric hospital, and two district hospitals on Saint Lucia as of 1998. In addition, there are 34 health centers scattered throughout the island. In 2004, there were an estimated 510 physicians and 229 nurses for every 100,000 people.

Malnutrition and intestinal difficulties are the main health problems. Tuberculosis, once widespread, has been brought under control. In 2005, the infant mortality rate was estimated at 13.5 per 1,000 live births. The same year, the average life expectancy was 70 years for men and 75 years for women.

Selected Social Indicators

The statistics below are the most recent estimates available as of 2006. For comparison purposes, data for the United States and averages for low-income countries and high-income countries are also given. About 15% of the world’s 6.5 billion people live in high-income countries, while 37% live in low-income countries.

Indicator	St. Lucia	Low-income countries	High-income countries	United States
sources: World Bank. World Development Indicators. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank, 2006; Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2006; World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C.
Per capita gross national income (GNI)*	$5,590	$2,258	$31,009	$39,820
Population growth rate	1.3%	2%	0.8%	1.2%
People per square kilometer of land	268	80	30	32
Life expectancy in years: male	70	58	76	75
female	75	60	82	80
Number of physicians per 1,000 people	5.1	0.4	3.7	2.3
Number of pupils per teacher (primary school)	n.a.	43	16	15
Literacy rate (15 years and older)	67%	65%	>95%	99%
Television sets per 1,000 people	333	84	735	938
Internet users per 1,000 people	367	28	538	630
Energy consumed per capita (kg of oil equivalent)	n.a.	501	5,410	7,843
CO2 emissions per capita (metric tons)	2.4	0.85	12.97	19.92
* The GNI is the total of all goods and services produced by the residents of a country in a year. The per capita GNI is calculated by dividing a country’s GNI by its population and adjusting for relative purchasing power.
n.a.: data not available >: greater than <: less than

30 Housing

The demand for private ownership of homes far exceeds the supply. In 2001, there were 52,664 dwelling units nationwide. About 80% of these were private homes. About 41% of all dwellings were built of concrete block, and 39% were built of wood. That year, 47.2% of all households were linked to a septic system and 35.3% still made use of pit latrines. About 86% had access to electricity for lighting and 58.4% were linked to a public water system. The average household had 3.3 members.

31 Education

Education is free and compulsory for ten years. Elementary schooling lasts for seven years, followed by three years of lower secondary education and another two years of upper secondary education. The pupil-teacher ratio for secondary school averaged 16 to 1. About 99% of primary-school-age children were enrolled in school that year, while 76% of those eligible enrolled in secondary school.

An education complex in Castries maintains a teacher-training center, a technical school, a secretarial training center, and a branch of the University of the West Indies. The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College will soon be upgraded into a full-fledged campus of the University of the West Indies. Some 2,760 students were enrolled at institutions of higher learning in 1996. The adult literacy rate in 2004 was estimated at 67%.

32 Media

In 2002, there were 51,000 mainline phones and 14,300 mobile phones in use nationwide. In 2004, there were three radio stations and three television stations. In 1997 there were 668 radios per 1,000 population. In 2005 there were 333 television sets for every 1,000 people. An estimated 367 of every 1,000 people had access to the Internet that year.

In 2005, there were six main newspapers in the country. The Voice of Saint Lucia and the St. Lucia Star are published three times per week. The Crusader (2002 circulation, 4,000) is published on Saturday. The Mirror, The Vanguard, and One Caribbean are also published once a week.

33 Tourism and Recreation

Dramatic tropical scenery, beautiful beaches, and excellent water-sports facilities are Saint Lucia’s principal tourist attractions. Of special interest is Sulphur Springs (the world’s only drive-in volcano). There were 276,948 tourist arrivals in Saint Lucia in 2003. In that year there were 3,749 rooms and 6,748 beds. The hotel occupancy rate was 62%.

34 Famous Saint Lucians

John G. M. Compton (1926–), trained as a barrister and one of the founders of the United Workers’ Party, was prime minister from 1982 until 1996. The writer Derek Walcott (1930–) is best known for his epic autobiographical poem Another Life. Dr. Kenny Davis Anthony (1951–) served two terms as prime minister beginning 1997.

35 Bibliography

BOOKS

Momsen, Janet Henshall. St. Lucia. Santa Barbara, CA: Clio, 1996.

Orr, Tamra. Windward Islands: St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Martinique & Dominica. Philadelphia: Mason Crest Publishers, 2004.

Philpott, Don. St. Lucia. Lincolnwood, IL: Passport Books, 1996.

Sullivan, Lynne M. Dominica & St. Lucia Alive! Edison, NJ: Hunter Publishing, 2002.