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 St. Lucia| Facts & Figures |
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| Sovereign: Queen Elizabeth II
(1952) Governor-General: Dame Pearlette
Louisy (1997) Prime Minister: Kenny D. Anthony
(1997) Land area: 236 sq mi (611 sq km); total
area: 238 mi (616 sq km) Population (2009 est.): 160,267 (growth
rate: 0.4%); birth rate: 15.1/1000; infant mortality rate:
13.4/1000; life expectancy: 76.4; density per sq mi: 723
Capital and largest city (2003 est.):
Castries, 60,300 Monetary unit: East Caribbean
dollar More Facts & Figures |
GeographyOne of the Windward Islands of the eastern Caribbean, St. Lucia lies
just south of Martinique. It is of volcanic origin. A chain of wooded
mountains runs from north to south and from them flow many streams into
fertile valleys.
GovernmentParliamentary democracy. A governor-general represents the sovereign,
Queen Elizabeth II.
HistoryThe first inhabitants of St. Lucia were the Arawak Indians, who were
forced off the island by the Caribs. Explored by Spain and then France,
St. Lucia became a British territory in 1814 and one of the Windward
Islands in 1871. With other Windward Islands, St. Lucia was granted home
rule in 1967 as one of the West Indies Associated States. On Feb. 22,
1979, St. Lucia achieved full independence in ceremonies boycotted by the
opposition St. Lucia Labour Party, which had advocated a referendum before
cutting ties with Britain. The United Workers Party (UWP), then in power,
called for new elections and was defeated by the St. Lucia Labour Party
(SLP). The UWP was returned to power in the elections of 1982, 1987, and
1992.
Kenny Anthony became prime minister in 1997, when his St. Lucia Labour
Party won 16 of the 17 parliamentary seats.
The 1999 European Union decision to end its preferential treatment of
bananas imported from former colonies has led St. Lucia to try to
diversify its agricultural crops. In 2002, tropical storm Lili devasted
the banana crop.
See also
Encyclopedia:
Saint Lucia
.
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes:
Saint Lucia
Government Statistics Department
www.stats.gov.lc/
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