St Lucia: A popular honeymoon destination
ST. Lucia was named by Christopher Columbus, who sighted the island on St Lucy’s Day in 1502. Some time before Columbus’ arrival, several groups struggled to control the island. The Caribs ousted the Arawaks and European powers contended with the Caribs and one another for control between 1660 a
ST. Lucia was named by Christopher Columbus, who sighted the island on St Lucy’s Day in 1502. Some time before Columbus’ arrival, several groups struggled to control the island. The Caribs ousted the Arawaks and European powers contended with the Caribs and one another for control between 1660 and 1814. In that period, the flag of St Lucia changed 14 times.
After unsuccessful early attempts by the Spanish to take control, possession of the island was disputed, often bloodily, by the French and British. A small English group made a failed attempt to settle in 1605. Another English colony, started in 1638, was annihilated by the Caribs three years later.
The Caribs resisted French settlement with equal vigour, until a peace treaty (1660) with them permitted settlement and ensured the safety of some French settlers from Martinique who had arrived during the preceding decade.
The British made further attempts to gain control and the island changed hands again and again and was a focus for Anglo-French hostilities during the Napoleonic wars. The British took possession under the Treaty of Paris in 1814 and St Lucia became a crown colony.
With other Windward Islands, St. Lucia was granted home rule in 1967 as one of the West Indies Associated States. On February 22, 1979, St. Lucia, guided by Sir John Compton, achieved full independence in ceremonies boycotted by the opposition St Lucia Labour Party, which had advocated a referendum before cutting ties with Britain.
The people
St. Lucia’s population is predominantly African and mixed African-European, with small East Indian and European minorities.
Ninety percent of the population is Roman Catholic, a reflection of early French influence on the island.
Did you know?
-The St Lucia parrot was the subject of a successful conservation programme established in 1978 which raised the population from 150 birds to over 400.
-Tourism is the main source of income and the industry is the country’s biggest employer.
-St Lucia has evolved into one of the most popular destinations particularly for honeymooners and romantics.
Lay of the land
St Lucia is a pear-shaped mountainous island of volcanic origin, 43km long. In the centre of the island, Mt Gimie rises to 950m, while Gros Piton (798m) and Petit Piton (750m) lie to the west.
Sulphurous springs, steam and gases bubble out of a volcanic crater a few kilometres from Petit Piton. The mountains are intersected by short rivers and broad fertile valleys. St Lucia is part of the Windward Islands group, which form an arc emerging out of the Eastern Caribbean into the Atlantic. The island of volcanic origin lies south of Dominica and north of Barbados.
Compiled by Elizabeth Agiro
After unsuccessful early attempts by the Spanish to take control, possession of the island was disputed, often bloodily, by the French and British. A small English group made a failed attempt to settle in 1605. Another English colony, started in 1638, was annihilated by the Caribs three years later.
The Caribs resisted French settlement with equal vigour, until a peace treaty (1660) with them permitted settlement and ensured the safety of some French settlers from Martinique who had arrived during the preceding decade.
The British made further attempts to gain control and the island changed hands again and again and was a focus for Anglo-French hostilities during the Napoleonic wars. The British took possession under the Treaty of Paris in 1814 and St Lucia became a crown colony.
With other Windward Islands, St. Lucia was granted home rule in 1967 as one of the West Indies Associated States. On February 22, 1979, St. Lucia, guided by Sir John Compton, achieved full independence in ceremonies boycotted by the opposition St Lucia Labour Party, which had advocated a referendum before cutting ties with Britain.
The people
St. Lucia’s population is predominantly African and mixed African-European, with small East Indian and European minorities.
Ninety percent of the population is Roman Catholic, a reflection of early French influence on the island.
Did you know?
-The St Lucia parrot was the subject of a successful conservation programme established in 1978 which raised the population from 150 birds to over 400.
-Tourism is the main source of income and the industry is the country’s biggest employer.
-St Lucia has evolved into one of the most popular destinations particularly for honeymooners and romantics.
Lay of the land
St Lucia is a pear-shaped mountainous island of volcanic origin, 43km long. In the centre of the island, Mt Gimie rises to 950m, while Gros Piton (798m) and Petit Piton (750m) lie to the west.
Sulphurous springs, steam and gases bubble out of a volcanic crater a few kilometres from Petit Piton. The mountains are intersected by short rivers and broad fertile valleys. St Lucia is part of the Windward Islands group, which form an arc emerging out of the Eastern Caribbean into the Atlantic. The island of volcanic origin lies south of Dominica and north of Barbados.
Compiled by Elizabeth Agiro