Saint Lucia
America · Caribbean
Overview
Saint Lucia is an island in the eastern Lesser Antilles, with a mountainous, volcanic landscape covered by dense rainforest. Britain and France competed for control of the island for centuries, and during its colonial history it changed hands between the two powers nearly fourteen times, a dual heritage still visible in place names and local Creole culture. The country gained independence from Britain in 1979 and has since remained a member of the Commonwealth. The official language is English, though much of the population also speaks a French-based Creole language (Kwéyòl) in everyday communication.
The Pitons, two steep volcanic spires (Gros Piton and Petit Piton) on the island's southwestern coast, are Saint Lucia's best-known landmarks and have formed a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. Castries, the capital, with its lively market and harbor, serves as the island's commercial center, though much of its historic architecture was destroyed by fires during the 20th century. Soufrière, a small town near the Pitons, is home to the Sulphur Springs geothermal area, marketed as "the world's only drive-in volcano," where steaming sulfur vents and hot mud pools can be seen. The Diamond Falls and its adjoining botanical garden, originally financed as baths during the French colonial period by King Louis XVI, can be visited today for their mineral-rich, colorfully tinted water.
The rainforest surrounding the Pitons and the adjoining marine protected area support rich wildlife, and the coral reefs at the base of the peaks offer excellent diving and snorkeling. Hiking trails through the island's interior rainforest allow visitors to spot endemic bird species, including the Saint Lucia parrot. At the Sulphur Springs geothermal area, visitors can also bathe in sulfurous mud pools, traditionally believed to have therapeutic properties. Local cuisine blends Caribbean and French influences, with green fig and saltfish, boiled green bananas served with salted fish, regarded as the island's national dish.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Pitons Management Area
The 2,909-ha site near the town of Soufriere includes the Pitons, two volcanic spires rising side by side from the sea (770 m and 743 m high respectively), linked by the Piton Mitan ridge. The volcanic complex includes a geothermal field with sulphurous fumeroles and hot springs. Coral reefs cover almost 60% of the site’s marine area. A survey has revealed 168 species of finfish, 60 species of cnidaria, including corals, eight molluscs, 14 sponges, 11 echinoderms, 15 arthropods and eight annelid worms. The dominant terrestrial vegetation is tropical moist forest grading to subtropical wet forest, with small areas of dry forest and wet elfin woodland on the summits. At least 148 plant species have been recorded on Gros Piton, 97 on Petit Piton and the intervening ridge, among them eight rare tree species. The Gros Piton is home to some 27 bird species (five of them endemic), three indigenous rodents, one opossum, three bats, eight reptiles and three amphibians.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Saint Lucia?
The capital of Saint Lucia is Castries.
What is the area of Saint Lucia?
The area of Saint Lucia is 616 km².
What is the population of Saint Lucia?
The population of Saint Lucia is 179,744.
What is the currency of Saint Lucia?
The currency of Saint Lucia is Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD).
What is the official language of Saint Lucia?
The official language of Saint Lucia: English.
What side of the road does Saint Lucia drive on?
Saint Lucia: Left-hand traffic.
Is Saint Lucia a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Saint Lucia is a member of the United Nations.