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Saint Lucia:
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Other pages in this profile of Saint Lucia:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Definition 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. |
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Location |
Definition Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago |
Geographic coordinates |
Definition 13 53 N, 60 58 W |
Map references |
Definition Central America and the Caribbean |
Area |
Definition - World rank and map total: 616 sq km land: 606 sq km water: 10 sq km |
Area - comparative |
Definition 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
Land boundaries |
Definition 0 km |
Coastline |
Definition 158 km |
Maritime claims |
Definition 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 |
Definition tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August |
Terrain |
Definition volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys |
Elevation extremes |
Definition lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m |
Natural resources |
Definition forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential |
Land use |
Definition - World rank and map arable land: 6.45% permanent crops: 22.58% other: 70.97% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
Definition 30 sq km (2003) |
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) |
Definition total: 0.01 per capita: 81 cu m/yr (1997) |
Natural hazards |
Definition hurricanes and volcanic activity |
Environment - current issues |
Definition deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region |
Environment - international agreements |
Definition 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 |
Definition 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 |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |