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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 |
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 |
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) |
Natural hazards |
hurricanes and 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 |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |