Location
St. Lucia is an island nation in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north of the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique in an area called the Windward Islands.

Size
Total area is 620 sq. km (239 sq. miles).

History
St. Lucia, named for Saint Lucy of Syracuse, was first visited by Europeans in about the year 1500 and first colonized successfully by France who signed a treaty with the native Carib peoples in 1660. Great Britain took control of the island from 1663 to 1667 then went to war with France over it fourteen times, and finally took complete control in 1814. Representative government came in 1924 and from 1958 - 1962 the island was a member of the Federation of the West Indies. Finally on February 22, 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent state of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Population
160,765

Capital
Castries located on the northwest side of the island

Government
The country is an independent Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state, represented in St. Lucia by a Governor-General, who acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party of the House, and the cabinet conducts affairs of state. St. Lucia is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

Language
English is the official language but a Creole language called Kweyol is spoken by 80% of the population.

Climate
Average temperature High/Low. Summer 95/75 degrees F. Winter 85/65 degrees F. Humidity ranges from 66-94%. Average rainfall 3 to 5.7mm.

Tourism Activities & Sightseeing
As well as other Caribbean music genres such as soca, zouk, kompa, and reggae, St. Lucia has a strong indigenous folk music tradition. Each May since 1992, St. Lucia has hosted an internationally-renowned Jazz Festival. The island boasts the world's only drive-in volcano The iconic Gros Piton and Petit Piton are the two most recognizable landmarks in St. Lucia Much of the coastline is under the protection of the Soufrière Marine management Area where a fantasy of colourful fish and some of the most pristine coral reefs in the Caribbean can be found. Pigeon Island National Park. Derek Walcott Square, Ruins and Barracks at Morne Fortune, Marigot Bay. Mamiku Gardens. Diamond Waterfall and Botanical Gardens. Fregate Island. Maria Island Nature Reserve. The Pitons. The Sulphur Springs. Plantation Tours-Marquis and Errard Estate. La Sikwe Sugar Mill and Plantation, Tropical Gardens. Nature Heritage Tours.

Airports
Hewanorra International airport (UVF), 37 miles drive from the capital, Castries; George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU), 3 miles from Castries.

Currency
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
Current conversion rate is EC $2.67 for US$1 cash.

Electricity
Voltage is 220-volts - 50 cycles. Appliances rated at 110 volts (North American standard) normally work with a transformer.

Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (except when Eastern daylight Savings time is in effect then it's the same) GMT-4

Driving
On the left.

Flag

The Official Tourism Website of the St. Lucia Tourist Board
www.stlucia.org