Saint Lucia Facts and Culture

What is Saint Lucia famous for?

• Food and Recipes: The national dish is saltfish and green figs. Other favorite dishes include fish shop, callaloo, (crabmeat stew) and plantains. Most... More
• Family: The traditional family is found among the upper classes. The Female as a single parent is more common at other... More
• Fashion: Modern Western style of clothing is worn. The traditional costume consists of a madras head-tie and skirt with large petticoats... More
• Recreation: Cricket is the most popular sport. Beach parties, and dances are popular recreational activities. More
• Cultural Attributes: Social relations are important and are strongly influenced by the Catholic religion. More

What is the capital of Saint Lucia?

Capital	Castries
Government Type	parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Currency	XCD
Total Area	238 Square Miles 616 Square Kilometers
Location	Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Language	English (official), French patois
GDP - real growth rate	1.8%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$12,000.00 (USD)

What is the population of Saint Lucia?

Ethnic Groups	black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1%
Nationality Adjective	Saint Lucian
Nationality Noun	Saint Lucian(s)
Population	166,487
Population Growth Rate	0.36%
Population in Major Urban Areas	CASTRIES (capital) 21,000
Predominant Language	English (official), French patois
Urban Population	17.5%

What type of government does Saint Lucia have?

• Executive Branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Neville CENAC (since 12 January 2018) head... More
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal More
• Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Lucia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency... More
• National Holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979) More
• Constitution: previous 1958, 1960 (preindependence); latest presented 20 December 1978, effective 22 February 1979; note - in mid-2015, an amendment was... More
• Independence: 22 February 1979 (from the UK) More

What environmental issues does Saint Lucia have?

• Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August More
• Environment - Current Issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region More
• Environment - International Agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine... More
• Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys More

How big is the Saint Lucia economy?

• Economic Overview: The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries.... More
• Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing More
• Currency Name and Code: XCD More
• Export Partners: UK 48.5%, US 27.3%, Barbados 7.6% More
• Import Partners: Brazil 46.1%, US 18.6%, Trinidad and Tobago 10.3% More

What current events are happening in Saint Lucia?
Source: Google News

What unique things can you discover about Saint Lucia?

• Most St. Lucians are the descendants of African slaves, brought in by the British in the 19th century to work on sugar plantations.

What can you learn about Saint Lucia in this video?

SAINT LUCIA: 5 BEST THINGS TO DO IN THIS CARIBBEAN ISLAND Trina & Pierre- YouTube

What makes Saint Lucia a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

St. Lucia is an English-speaking, developing Caribbean island nation. Tourist facilities are widely available.

Crime

Crime, including armed robbery, does occur and is rising in St. Lucia. Violent crime, including gun violence and targeted homicides, is often connected to narcotics trafficking. Petty crime also occurs, with tourists being targeted often.

Efforts by the St. Lucian authorities to improve public safety on the island are ongoing. Visitors should inquire about their hotel's security arrangements before making reservations. Valuables left unattended on beaches and in rental cars are vulnerable to theft. Visitors should use caution, especially at night and in less frequented areas.

Take some time before travel to learn how to improve your personal security-things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States. Here are some useful tips for personal security.

Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in St. Lucia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don't have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in St. Lucia, your U.S. passport won't help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It's very important to know what's legal and what's not where you are going.

Persons violating St. Lucian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in St. Lucia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

IF ARRESTED: If you are arrested in St. Lucia, authorities of St. Lucia are required to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

There are two public hospitals and one private hospital in St. Lucia.

Victoria Hospital, Castries - Tel No. (758) 452-2421 - is the main hospital.

St. Jude's Hospital, George Odlum Stadium, Vieux Fort - Tel No. (758) 454-6041 is the second public hospital.

The original St. Jude's Hospital in Vieux Fort was destroyed by fire on September 9, 2009. What started as a temporary facility operating out of the George Odlum Stadium is now operating as a fully functional hospital with two operating rooms, an ER Department, as well as a Medical, Paediatric and a Surgical Ward. There is also an ICU Unit and an Out Patient's Clinic.

Tapion Hospital, La Toc Road, Castries is the private hospital - Tel No. (758) 459-2000. A new hyperbaric chamber capable of treating 6 patients is now in operation at this facility. They are certified personnel in the hyperbaric field who operate the chamber. The Chamber is undergoing the accreditation process by DAN (Divers Alert Network) and continues to be fully operational. However, to-date the certification process has not been completed.

Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning St. Lucia is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Vehicles travel on the left side of the road in St. Lucia. Roads are reasonably well paved but poorly marked, narrow and winding, with steep inclines/declines throughout the island. There are few guardrails in areas that have precipitous drop-offs from the road. In spite of these conditions, drivers often travel at excessive speed, and accidents are common. The drive from Hewanorra International Airport to Castries or to Rodney Bay is a winding road through mountainous terrain and takes between 60 to 90 minutes.

St. Lucia is served by privately owned and operated mini-buses, plying licensed designated routes. While most such services operate only on weekdays during daylight hours, some may operate at night and on weekends and holidays. Taxis are available at generally reasonable rates, but tourists are vulnerable to being overcharged. When using minibus or taxi services, travelers should agree to a fare ahead of time. The most commonly used trips such as Castries to Rodney Bay and Castries to Hewanora International Airport are fixed fares, and any dispute should be brought to the attention of the Tourism Authority U.S. dollars are widely accepted, but with less than competitive exchange rates. When using minibus or taxi services, travelers should agree to a fare ahead of time. When hiring a service at night, travelers should take precautions such as having their hotel call a reputable company for service. A local temporary driver's license is required. These can be purchased at all car rental offices and from the Transportation Office in Gros Islet.