About Saint Lucia – an Overview

St Lucia - Helen of the West

SYLLABICATION: Saint Lu·cia
PRONUNCIATION: Saint Loo Sha
LISTEN TO THE PRONUNCIATION (Wikipedia):  St Lucia

Capital: Castries
Prime Minister: Philip J. Pierre
Official language: English
Population: 180,737 (May 2024Worldometer 
Calling code: +1 758
Driving side: left
Electricity: 220 ~ 240 volts, 50 cycles AC
Geographic coordinates: 13.901700200139592 N, -60.97026564516762 W

Where in the world is Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia, named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse (AD 283 – 304) is one of only two sovereign states in the world named after a 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. [Wikipedia]

Ireland being the other, named after a goddess.

St Lucia is said to be one of the early finds of Christopher Columbus, describing it to be the most beautiful island in the region. Simply beautiful!

St Lucia is the emerald island in the Caribbean where you will find a unique mixture of history, culture, and quiet charm. It is rich in natural beauty, from inland tropical forests to dramatic waterfalls and lovely sandy beaches.

St Lucia is famous for the twin peaks of the magnificent Pitons, rainforest walks, waterfalls, golden beaches, and bubbling volcanic springs. It even boasts the world’s only drive-in volcano.

The St Lucian Jazz Festival attracts visitors from all over the world every May and Carnival in July is a week-long party for the whole island. St Lucians love to party and besides the annual flower festivals, Christmas, New Year, the Calypso Competition, and the Independence Day celebrations, some of the villages hold main street jump-ups every Friday night of the year.

St Lucia Flag

Flag of Saint Lucia

History of Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia’s location in the region.

Promotional Video

Entertaining, yet educational Video

St Lucia at a glance

    Full name: Saint Lucia

    Location: Saint Lucia has an area of 238 square miles (616 square kilometers). It is 27 miles (43 K) long on its north-south axis and 14 miles (22 kilometers) at its widest east-west dimension. Saint Lucia lies between Saint Vincent to the south and Martinique (a French province) to the north.

    Major languages: English (official), Saint Lucian Creole (French patois/Kwéyòl)

    Saint Lucia’s official language is English. There is however another major local language, namely Saint Lucian French Creole (Kwéyòl). Locally referred to as Patois (“Patwa”), and is spoken by a majority of the local population.

    Major religion [update]Roman Catholic 50.6%, Protestant 25.8% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 10.6%, Pentecostal 9%, Baptist 2.2%, Anglican 1.6%, Church of God 1.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), other Christian 3.4% (includes Evangelical 2.3% and Jehovah’s Witness 1.1%), Rastafarian 1.9%, other 0.4%, none 5.9%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)[CIA.gov][updated info – https://t.ly/GFHzC]

    Life expectancy: 79.2 years (2023 est.); male: 76.5 years; female: 82.1 years [CIA.gov]

    Ethnic Group: Black/African descent 85.3%, mixed 10.9%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)

    Monetary unit: 1 East Caribbean dollar = 100 cents

    EC – US: 1 US = 2.679 East Caribbean dollar

    GNI per capita: US $5,530 (World Bank, 2008)

    Internet domain: .lc

    International dialling code: +1 758

    Electricity: 220 ~ 240 volts, 50 cycles AC (a few hotels are 110 volts, 60 cycles). Most sockets take 3-pin square plugs (UK standard) but some take 2-pin round plugs or flat American plugs, which are rarer. Adaptors are generally available at the hotels.

    Geography

        Geographic coordinates: 13.901 N, -60.970 W

          Area: total: Total: 616 sq km (238 sq miles) / land: 606 sq km/water: 10 sq km – 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

            Coastline: 158 km (61 sq miles)

              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: Current Weather is 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

                        Natural hazards: Hurricanes; volcanic activity

                          Geography – note: The twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton – see image below), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean.

                            St Lucia’s Government

                              Government type: Parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

                              Administrative divisions: 11 quarters:
                              – Anse-la-Raye; Castries; Choiseul; Dauphin; Dennery; Gros-Islet; Laborie; Micoud; Praslin; Soufriere, and Vieux-Fort

                              Independence: 22 February 1979 (from the United Kingdom – UK)

                              Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

                              Chief of state: King Charles III formerly Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Mr Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles as Acting Governor-General of Saint Lucia. His Excellency was sworn in at the Official Residence of the Governor-General on Thursday, November 11, 2021.

                              Note: The governor-general of Saint Lucia is the representative of the Saint Lucian monarch, currently King Charles III, in Saint Lucia. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister of Saint Lucia.

                              Acting Governor-General His Excellency replaces Sir Neville Cenac who demitted office on October 31st, 2021.  Sir Neville Cenac was appointed as Governor-General on January 1st, 2018.

                              Head of government: Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre

                              Communication in St Lucia

                                The general assessment of Telephone Systems: adequate system

                                Domestic: the 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

                                Internet country code: .lc

                                Internet Speeds: up to 500Mbps

                                Main Telecommunication Companies: Flow, Digicel

                                Transportation in St Lucia

                                  Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: J6 (2016)

                                  Airports: 2: George F. L. Charles Airport (SLU) – North of the island, located in Castries Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) – South of the island, located in Vieux Fort

                                  Airports – with paved runways: Total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)

                                  Roadways: Total: 1,210 km Paved: 847 km Unpaved: 363 km (2011)

                                  Ports and terminals: Major seaport(s): Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort

                                  Driving Side of the Road: Drivers drive on the Left-Hand side of the road, as in the UK
                                  USA – be aware…

                                  Modes of Getting Around St Lucia: Rental cars, Taxi, Mini Bus, Water Taxi, Ferries and Organized Tours

                                  Ports and terminals: Major seaport(s): Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort 

                                  Security in St Lucia

                                    St Lucia is, for the most part, an idyllic and laid-back place, but it is not without its hazards and nuisances. As you would anywhere in the world, even in your own hometown, be alert and aware of your surroundings. As in any situation, be mindful about venturing alone in deserted or unlit areas as well as areas you are not familiar with. 

                                    The more densely populated areas like Castries and Rodney Bay are patrolled by police regularly and there are police stations in each of the island’s districts.  

                                    If touring the island, be sure to secure personal belongings on your person or leave them in a safe location in your room or villa. If you are staying in a hotel, which generally has gated security, take the precaution of informing your reception or concierge of your plans and anticipated return. 

                                    If hiring a car, don’t pick up strangers. If you are traveling by yacht, then inform neighboring yachts when you are going ashore for the day or evening.  St Lucia’s many delights and its wonderful people are yours to safely enjoy while keeping these few precautions in mind.

                                    Customs Regulations in St Lucia

                                      Customs notes: The duty-free allowance into St. Lucia is 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco or 50 cigars, one liter of spirit or wine. Duty-free shopping is available at Pointe Seraphine, La Place Carenage, and at the departure lounge of Hewanorra Airport. Luxury items include Jewelry, Batiks, Giftware, Local Crafts, Liquor, Cigarettes, and Cigars.

                                      Emergency numbers in St Lucia

                                        Important numbers to remember:

                                        Dial 999 to reach the police in an emergency, 911 for Fire, an ambulance, and other emergencies.

                                        Important contact numbers to keep in mind Emergency Numbers

                                        Note: the following number may or may not still be active and correct. All numbers sourced from various locations. If you do find any discrepancies, please let us know.

                                        Police Headquarters: 758 456 3712

                                        Marine: 758 452 2595
                                        Crime Action Line: 758 458 2880  

                                         

                                        Fire/Ambulance 

                                        Castries: 758 452 2373
                                        Soufriere: 758 459 7448
                                        Vieux Fort: 758 454 6339  

                                         

                                        Electricity 

                                        North: 758 457 4443 /  758 457 4441
                                        South: 758 457 4854 / 758 457 4855 

                                        WASCO 

                                        Castries: 758 457 3900  

                                         

                                        Disaster Preparedness (NEMO): 758 452 3802  

                                         

                                        Hospitals 

                                        Dennery: 758 453 3310

                                        Gros Islet Polyclinic: 758 468 7630 / 758 468 7631 / 758 468 7637

                                        Soufriere: 758 459 7258

                                        St Jude’s (Vieux Fort): 758 454 6041

                                        Tapion (Private): 758 459 2000

                                        Victoria (Castries): 758 452 2421