Articles - What you should know about St.Lucia

An island country of the West Indies in the Windward Islands south of Martinique. The island was probably sighted by Columbus in 1502. Resistance from the Carib inhabitants defeated several attempts at colonization by the English in the early 17th century, although France succeeded in establishing a settlement in the mid-1600s. The island changed hands several times between the two powers until the end of the Napoleonic Wars (1814), when it passed definitively to Great Britain. St. Lucia joined the West Indies Federation (1958-1962), gaining self-government in 1967 and full independence in 1979. Castries is the capital. Population: 171,000.

Island country, Windward Islands, in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Area: 238 sq mi (617 sq km). Population (2009 est.): 178,000. Capital: Castries. Most of the population is of African descent. Languages: English (official), French patois. Religions: Christianity (Roman Catholic, Protestant); also Rastafarianism. Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar. Saint Lucia is of volcanic origin; within the Qualibou Caldera is Sulphur Springs, which continues to emit steam and gases and is a prime tourist attraction. Wooded mountains run north-south, culminating in Mount Gimie (3,145 ft [958.6 m]). The economy is based on agriculture and tourism. Saint Lucia is a constitutional monarchy with a parliament of two legislative houses; its head of state is the British monarch, represented by the governor-general, and the head of government is the prime minister. Caribs replaced early Arawak inhabitants c. 800 – 1300. Settled by the French in 1650, Saint Lucia was ceded to Great Britain in 1814 and became one of the Windward Islands in 1871. It became fully independent in 1979.

Saint Lucia (sānt lū'shə, -sēə), island nation (2005 est. pop. 166,000), 238 sq mi (616 sq km), West Indies, one of the Windward Islands. The capital is Castries. Morne Gimie (3,145 ft/959 m high) and the twin pyramidal cones known as the Pitons are the most imposing landmarks. The country is subject hurricanes; it suffered significant destruction in 1980, 1994, and 2007. The population is largely of African descent and Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, although there is a large Protestant minority. English is the official language, but Kwéyòl, a French creole, is also widely spoken, and many St. Lucians also speak French or Spanish.

The economy is largely based on agriculture (bananas, cocoa, and other tropical products are exported) and tourism. Saint Lucia has moved to attract foreign investment to its offshore banking industry, and has diversified its industrial base to include light manufacturing, the assembly of electronic components, and oil refining and transshipment. The United States and France are the main trading partners.

The country is a parliamentary democracy governed under the constitution of 1979. There is a bicameral Parliament, with an 11-seat Senate and a 17-seat House of Assembly; the government is headed by the prime minister. The monarch of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, represented by a governor-general, is the head of state. Administratively, the country is divided into 11 districts called quarters.

History

Columbus may have sighted the island on his 1502 voyage. The British failed in their first attempts at colonization in the early 17th cent. The island was later settled by the French, who signed a treaty with the local Caribs in 1660. Thereafter Saint Lucia was much contested by the two European powers until the British secured it in 1814. It was part of the British Windward Islands colony, and joined the West Indies Federation (1958-62) 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, and in 1979 it gained full independence under Sir John Compton. Compton, of the conservative United Workers party (UWP), was again prime minister from 1982 to 1996, when he was succeeded by Vaughn Lewis. Kenny Anthony of the Labor party was prime minister from 1997 to 2006, when the UWP, again led by Compton, won control of parliament. In May, 2007, after Compton suffered a series of ministrokes, Finance and External Affairs Minister Stephenson King became acting prime minister and then prime minister after Compton died in Sept., 2007.

Background:    The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries, was contested between England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979.
Geography
Map of Saint Lucia
Location:    Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates:    13 53 N, 60 58 W
Map references:    Central America and the Caribbean
Area:    total: 616 sq km
land: 606 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative:    3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:    0 km
Coastline:    158 km
Maritime claims:    territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:    tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August
Terrain:    volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys
Elevation extremes:    lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m
Natural resources:    forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential
Land use:    arable land: 6.45%
permanent crops: 22.58%
other: 70.97% (2005)
Irrigated land:    30 sq km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):    total: 0.01
per capita: 81 cu m/yr (1997)
Natural hazards:    hurricanes; volcanic activity
Environment - current issues:    deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region
Environment - international agreements:    party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:    the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean
People
Population:    160,267 (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:    0-14 years: 24.4% (male 20,035/female 19,021)
15-64 years: 66.4% (male 51,593/female 54,843)
65 years and over: 9.2% (male 6,668/female 8,107) (2009 est.)
Median age:    total: 29.8 years
male: 28.7 years
female: 30.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:    0.416% (2009 est.)
Birth rate:    15.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Death rate:    6.71 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:    -4.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Urbanization:    urban population: 28% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:    at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:    total: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 12.47 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:    total population: 76.45 years
male: 73.78 years
female: 79.27 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:    1.84 children born/woman (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:    NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:    NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:    NA
Nationality:    noun: Saint Lucian(s)
adjective: Saint Lucian
Ethnic groups:    black 82.5%, mixed 11.9%, East Indian 2.4%, other or unspecified 3.1% (2001 census)
Religions:    Roman Catholic 67.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.5%, Pentecostal 5.7%, Rastafarian 2.1%, Anglican 2%, Evangelical 2%, other Christian 5.1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.5% (2001 census)
Languages:    English (official), French patois
Literacy:    definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 90.1%
male: 89.5%
female: 90.6% (2001 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):    total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:    6.6% of GDP (2006)
Government
Country name:    conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Lucia
Government type:    parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:    name: Castries
geographic coordinates: 14 01 N, 61 00 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:    11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort
Independence:    22 February 1979 (from the UK)
National holiday:    Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
Constitution:    22 February 1979
Legal system:    based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:    18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:    chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Dame Pearlette LOUISY (since September 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Stephenson KING (since 9 September 2007); note - Sir John COMPTON died in office 7 September 2007
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general
Legislative branch:    bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; six members appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups) and the House of Assembly (17 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Assembly - last held 11 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011)
election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - UWP 50%, SLP 46.9%, other 3.1%; seats by party - UWP 11, SLP 6
Judicial branch:    Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (consists of a High Court and a Court of Appeals; based on Saint Lucia; three judges of the Supreme Court reside in Saint Lucia); member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
Political parties and leaders:    National Alliance or NA [George ODLUM]; Saint Lucia Freedom Party or SFP [Martinus FRANCOIS]; Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Kenneth ANTHONY]; Sou Tout Apwe Fete Fini or STAFF [Christopher HUNTE]; United Workers Party or UWP [Stephenson KING]
Political pressure groups and leaders:    NA
International organization participation:    ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:    chief of mission: Ambassador Michael LOUIS
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795
FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723
consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:    the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia
Flag description:    blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
Economy
Economy - overview:    The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries, with a surge in foreign direct investment in 2006, attributed to the construction of several tourism projects. Although crops such as bananas, mangos, and avocados continue to be grown for export, tourism provides Saint Lucia's main source of income and the industry is the island's biggest employer. The tourism sector is likely to face declining revenues with the global economic downturn as US and European travel declines. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana industry, although recent hurricanes have caused exports to contract. Saint Lucia is vulnerable to a variety of external shocks including volatile tourism receipts, natural disasters, and dependence on foreign oil. The public debt-to-GDP ratio is about 70% and high debt servicing obligations constrain the KING administration's ability to respond to adverse external shocks. Economic fundamentals remain solid, even though unemployment needs to be reduced.
GDP (purchasing power parity):    $1.801 billion (2008 est.)
$1.761 billion (2007)
$1.732 billion (2006)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):    $1.031 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:    2.3% (2008 est.)
1.7% (2007 est.)
4.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):    $11,300 (2008 est.)
$11,100 (2007 est.)
$11,000 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:    agriculture: 5%
industry: 15%
services: 80% (2005 est.)
Labor force:    43,800 (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:    agriculture: 21.7%
industry: 24.7%
services: 53.6% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate:    20% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line:    NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:    lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:    revenues: $141.2 million
expenditures: $146.7 million (2000 est.)
Fiscal year:    1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):    1.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:    6.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:    10.12% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:    $264.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:    $720.9 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:    $1.217 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:    bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa
Industries:    clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism; lime processing, coconut processing
Electricity - production:    325 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:    289.2 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:    0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:    0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:    fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:    0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:    2,780 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:    0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:    2,631 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:    0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:    0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:    0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:    0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:    0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:    0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:    -$199 million (2007 est.)
Exports:    $288 million (2006)
Exports - commodities:    bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil
Exports - partners:    US 24.5%, France 23.2%, UK 19.3%, Antigua and Barbuda 5%, Dominica 4.9%, Barbados 4.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.1% (2007)
Imports:    $791 million (2006)
Imports - commodities:    food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels
Imports - partners:    Brazil 63.6%, US 10.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 8.2% (2007)
Debt - external:    $257 million (2004)
Currency (code):    East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency code:    XCD
Exchange rates:    East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)
Communications
Telephones - main lines in use:    51,100 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:    105,700 (2005)
Telephone system:    general assessment: adequate system
domestic: system is automatically switched
international: country code - 1-758; the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables, along with Intelsat from Martinique, carry calls internationally; direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados
Radio broadcast stations:    AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2003)
Radios:    111,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:    2 (1 commercial broadcast station and 1 community antenna television or CATV channel) (2003)
Televisions:    32,000 (1997)
Internet country code:    .lc
Internet hosts:    17 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):    15 (2000)
Internet users:    110,000 (2007)
Transportation
Airports:    2 (2008)
Airports - with paved runways:    total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2008)
Roadways:    total: 1,210 km (2002)
Ports and terminals:    Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort
Military
Military branches:    no regular military forces; Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit and Coast Guard) (2007)
Manpower available for military service:    males age 16-49: 48,358 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:    males age 16-49: 32,094
females age 16-49: 36,110 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:    male: 1,607
female: 1,511 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:    NA
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international:    joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
Illicit drugs:    transit point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe

National Anthem:
National Anthem of: Saint Lucia
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Sons and daughters of St. Lucia,
Love the land that gave us birth,
Land of beaches, hills and valleys,
Fairest isle of all the earth.
Wheresoever you may roam,
Love, oh love your island home.
Gone the times when nations battled
For this 'Helen of the West,
Gone the days when strife and discord
Dimmed her children's toil and rest.
Dawns at last a brighter day,
Stretches out a glad new way.
May the good Lord bless our island,
Guard her sons from woe and harm!
May our people live united,
Strong in soul and strong in arm!
Justice, Truth and Charity,
Our ideal for ever be!

History
Main article: History of Saint Lucia

Europeans first landed on the island in either 1492 or 1502 during Spain's early exploration of the Caribbean. The English failed in their first attempts at colonization in the early 17th century.

The island was first settled by the French, who signed a treaty with the local Caribs in 1660. Like the English and Dutch, the French began to develop the island for the cultivation of sugar cane on extensive plantations. After trying to use the Carib as laborers, they started to import enslaved Africans as workers. Many of the Caribs died because of lack of immunity to Eurasian diseases, such as smallpox and measles, and as a result of being overworked and maltreated by the Europeans.

Caribbean conditions were hard, and many slaves died before they lived long enough to have children. The French (and later British) continued to import slaves until the latter nation abolished the trade, and then the legal institution. By that time, people of ethnic African descent greatly outnumbered those of ethnic European background.

Thereafter Saint Lucia was much contested by the two European powers until the British secured it in 1814. It was part of the British Windward Islands colony.

It joined the West Indies Federation (1958–62) 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. Compton, of the conservative United Workers party (UWP), was again prime minister from 1982 to 1996, when he was succeeded by Vaughn Lewis.

Kenny Anthony of the Labor party was prime minister from 1997 to 2006, when the UWP, again led by Compton, won control of parliament. In May, 2007, after Compton suffered a series of ministrokes, Finance and External Affairs Minister Stephenson King became acting prime minister. He became prime minister after Compton died in September 2007.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Saint Lucia
See also: Foreign relations of Saint Lucia

As a Commonwealth realm, Saint Lucia recognises Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State of Saint Lucia, represented on the island by a Governor-General. Executive power, however, is in the hands of the prime minister and his cabinet.[3] The prime minister 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.[1] The other chamber of Parliament, the Senate, has 11 appointed members. Saint Lucia is a two-party parliamentary democracy. Prime Minister Stephenson King of the business-friendly United Workers Party took office in 2007. Saint Lucia is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market and home to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.

Saint Lucia is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and La Francophonie.
Quarters
Main article: Quarters of Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is divided into 11 quarters, or sections of the island, which were sometimes called "districts" under the British colonial government:

   1. Anse la Raye Quarter
   2. Castries Quarter
   3. Choiseul Quarter
   4. Dauphin Quarter
   5. Dennery Quarter
   6. Gros Islet Quarter
   7. Laborie Quarter
   8. Micoud Quarter
   9. Praslin Quarter
  10. Soufrière Quarter
  11. Vieux Fort Quarter

Quarters of Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is also divided into 17 electoral districts for the 17 seats in the House of Assembly (each with title "Parliamentary Representative"):[1]

    * Canaries & Anse La Raye
    * Babonneau
    * Castries Central
    * Castries North
    * Castries North East
    * Castries South
    * Castries South East
    * Choiseul
    * Dennery North

             

    * Dennery South
    * Gros Islet
    * Laborie
    * Micoud North
    * Micoud South
    * Soufriere
    * Vieux Fort North
    * Vieux Fort South

Geography
Main article: Geography of Saint Lucia
View of Soufrière
Map of Saint Lucia. See also: Atlas of Saint Lucia

The volcanic island of Saint Lucia is more mountainous than many other Caribbean islands, with the highest point being Mount Gimie, at 950 metres (3,120 ft) above sea level. Two other mountains, the Pitons, form the island's most famous landmark. They are located between Soufrière and Choiseul on the western side of the island. Saint Lucia is also one of the few islands in the world that boasts a drive-in volcano.

The capital city of Saint Lucia is Castries, where about one third of the population lives. Major towns include Gros Islet, Soufrière and Vieux Fort. The local climate is tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds, with a dry season from December 1st to May 31st, and a wet season from June 1st to November 30th.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Saint Lucia

Its economy depends primarily on tourism, banana production, and light manufacturing. An educated workforce and improvements in roads, communications, water supply, sewerage, and port facilities have attracted foreign investment in tourism and in petroleum storage and transshipment. However, with the U.S., Canada, and Europe in recession, tourism declined by double digits in early 2009. Because of fluctuations in banana prices and possible World Trade Organization–imposed reductions in European Union trade preferences, the government is encouraging farmers to diversify into such crops as cocoa, mango, and avocados. The recent change in the European Union import preference regime and the increased competition from Latin American bananas have made economic diversification increasingly important in Saint Lucia. The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries, which is the island's main source of revenue. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana industry. Despite negative growth in 2001, economic fundamentals remain solid, and GDP growth should recover in the future.

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. Five points were deducted from Saint Lucia’s monetary freedom score to adjust for measures that distort domestic prices.
Demographics
Castries, capital city of Saint Lucia
Main article: Demographics of Saint Lucia

Most of the population of Saint Lucia is of African descent (81% of the population). There is also a significant racially mixed minority representing 11.9%, with Indo-Caribbean or Indian groups at 2.4%, and a small ethnic European minority (descendants of French and British colonists). Members of other or unspecified ethnicity groups account for 3.1%. There are small numbers of IrishGreeks, Lebanese, Syrians, Italians, Chinese, North Americans, Portuguese, Germans. Arawak-Carib Amerindian groups account for 1.6%.[citation needed]

The official language is English, but an Antillean Creole, which is based on French, is spoken by 80% of the population. Antillean Creole is increasingly used in literature and music, and is gaining official recognition.[5] It evolved from French, African languages, and Carib. Saint Lucia is a member of La Francophonie.

Saint Lucia boasts the highest ratio of Nobel laureates produced with respect to the total population of any country in the world. Two winners have come from St. Lucia: Sir Arthur Lewis won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979, and Derek Walcott received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992. Both were born on the same date in 1915 and 1930, respectively: January 23.

About 70% of the population is Roman Catholic, influenced from the days of French Catholic rule and evangelization. Most of the rest belong to other Christian denominations, including Seventh-day Adventisms (7%), Pentecostalism (6%), Anglicanism (2%), Evangelical Christianity (2%), and the Baptist faith; in addition, about 2% of the population adheres to the Rastafari movement.[6]

Migration from Saint Lucia is primarily to Anglophone countries, with the United Kingdom (see Saint Lucian British) having almost 10,000 Saint Lucian-born citizens, and over 30,000 of Saint Lucian heritage. The second most popular destination for Saint Lucian expatriates is the United States, where combined (foreign and national born Saint Lucians) almost 14,000 reside. Canada is home to a few thousand Saint Lucians. Most other countries in the world have fewer than 50 citizens of Saint Lucian origin (the exceptions being Spain and France with 124 and 117 Saint Lucian expats respectively).[7]
Health

Public expenditure on health was at 3.3 % of the GDP in 2004, whereas private expenditure was at 1.8 %.[8] Health expenditure was at US$ 302 (PPP) per capita in 2004.[8] Infant mortality was at 12 per 100,000 births in 2005.[8] There is one public hospital and one private hospital in St. Lucia. There was a second, but it was burnt down in a fire in the early hours of September 9, 2009. [9]
Culture
Main article: Culture of Saint Lucia
See also: Derek Walcott and Music of Saint Lucia
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 Creole, a form of French patois.
Festivals

Saint Lucian cultural festivals include La Rose and La Marguerite, the first's representing the Rosicrucian order, and the second's representing Freemasonry.[10] This can be seen on a mural painted by Dunstan St. Omer, depicting the holy trinity of Osiris, Horus and Isis.

Traditionally in common with other Caribbean countries, Saint Lucia held a carnival before Lent in association with Mardi Gras. In 1999, the government moved Carnival to mid-July to avoid competing with the much larger Trinidad and Tobago carnival. It wanted to attract more overseas visitors.

In May 2009, St. Lucians commemorated the 150th Anniversary of East Indian Heritage on the island, the first of its annual celebration.
Music and dance

A popular folk dance is the Quadrille.

Together with Caribbean music genres such as soca, zouk, kompa and reggae, Saint Lucia has a strong indigenous folk music tradition.

Each May since 1991, Saint Lucia has hosted an internationally renowned Jazz Festival.
Education

The Education Act provides for free and compulsory education in Saint Lucia from the ages of 5 to 15.[11] Literacy is very common.[8] Public spending on education was at 5.8 % among the 2002-2005 GDP.[8] Saint Lucia has one university; University of the West Indies Open Campus.[12]
Tourism
Main article: Tourism in Saint Lucia

Tourism is vital to Saint Lucia's economy. Its economic importance is expected to continue to increase as the market for bananas becomes more competitive. Tourism tends to be more substantial during the dry season (January to April). Saint Lucia tends to be popular due to its tropical weather and scenery and its numerous beaches and resorts.

Other tourist attractions include a drive-in volcano, Sulphur Springs (at Soufrière), the Botanical Gardens, the Majestic twin Peaks "The Pitons", A world heritage site, the rain forests, and Pigeon Island National Park, which is home to Fort Rodney, an old British military base.

The majority of tourists visit Saint Lucia as part of a cruise. Most of their time tends to be spent in Castries, although Soufriere, Marigot Bay and Gros Islet are popular locations to visit.