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St. Lucia also known as the "Helen of the
West" reflecting an
exciting history, an island ideal for pleasure and adventure seekers. St. Lucia
is fast becoming one of the most popular tourists spots however it is also one
of few islands left in the Caribbean that is unspoilt, stimulating, inviting,
maintains its own unique identity and
culture and the preservation of the island's incredible natural beauty
make it the perfect Getaway.
Set among this
natural backdrop are hidden coves, honey colored beaches and sparkling reefs
that attract the sun seekers, divers, sports fishermen and romantic couples.
Travelers are attracted to its black and gold sand beaches, tumbling waterfalls,
rain forests, lush, mist covered mountains crisscrossed by rivers, drive in
volcano and world famous twin peaks of the Pitons .
St. Lucia is for those seeking tranquility, beauty, adventure, authentic Caribbean pleasure and enrichment, Discover and Experience St. Lucia. The unspoilt, easy going and uncomplicated adventure of the unfamiliar, the freshness of the unspoiled and the stimulation of the exotic. St. Lucia is becoming one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean.
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Size: |
238 square miles |
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Population: |
160,000 |
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Capital: |
Castries |
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Political Status: |
Independent nation and member of British Commonwealth |
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Language: |
English and local dialect known as Patois |
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Currency: |
Eastern Caribbean Dollar - US Dollar is used widely Exchange rate US $1.00 to EC $2.67 Euro $1.00 to EC $3.20 |
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Climate: |
70-77 degrees in winter; 80-88 degrees in summer |
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Electricity: |
Current runs at 220 volts/50cycles with three prong outlets (Adapter and converter plug is recommended) |
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Time Zone: |
Atlantic Standard Time year-round |
The "Helen of The West", fought over 14 times by the French and British, St. Lucia's has the perfect blend of English and French heritage mixed into the potpourri of African, Indian and Spanish. English is the official language. The people also speak a French Patois. St. Lucia is located midway down the Eastern Caribbean chain, one of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, between Martinique and St. Vincent, and north of Barbados. The Atlantic Ocean lies on its eastern shore, the west coast lies on the Caribbean Sea. St. Lucia is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide. The climate is subtropical, with temperatures ranging from the mid-sixties to the mid-eighties. During the hottest time of the year, from June through August, temperatures can reach the mid-nineties. The atmosphere pretty cool though by the constant trade winds. Summers are usually warm and wet, while winters are quite dry.
The famous twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, soar 2,000 feet up from the sea, sheltering magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise flourish and of course the Soufriere volcano, the world's only drive-in volcanic crater. A journey across the island will carry you past rain forests covered in tropical vegetation and colored by the hues of flowers such as hibiscus, jasmine, orchids and frangipani. Paved and rutted roads along the jagged coast and curve through hills and fishing villages lined with colorful boats and clustered around a bay as the road again resumes its course through plantation fields of bananas, and coconuts.
The capital, Castries, due to four devastating fires between 1796 and 1948, is one of the most modern in the Caribbean.
There is quite a bit to see north of Castries. Pigeon Island National Landmark, home to the famous St. Lucia Jazz Festival, lies just north of the Rodney Bay development and the town of Gros Islet.
Heading south west from Castries, the picturesque villages of Anse La Raye and Canaries lie along the route, each nestled in its own cove at the foot of steep hills.
Continuing down to Soufrière, this town is filled with natural and historic sights. Most imposing are the towering twin peaks of the Pitons, which thrust directly from the water to heights of well over a half mile. Not far from the Pitons are the Sulphur Springs, a seven-acre crater billed as the world's only drive-in volcano. Nearby are the Diamond Botanical Gardens Waterfall and Mineral Baths.
Past Soufrière, the road climbs and offers views of the countryside. It passes through the villages of Choiseul and Laborie before descending into Vieux Fort on the southernmost part of the island. At the extreme tip of St. Lucia is Moule à Chique peninsula with a small peak that has a lighthouse built upon it. The cliffs are home to numerous sea birds and the heights offer superb views south to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Offshore to the east of Vieux Fort is the Maria Islands Nature Reserve. The reserve contains rare wildlife and birds and some species exist nowhere else in the world. The Maria Island Interpretation Centre on the mainland is always open to visitors and tells the story of Maria Island and the first inhabitants of the area.
From Vieux Fort the road meanders north up St. Lucia's spectacular eastern coastline, where the power of the Atlantic Ocean vents itself on rocky cliffs. The 33-mile drive back to Castries passes through the villages of Micoud and Dennery.
The people are friendly, charming and good natured who are always in the pursuit of excellence, success and happiness.
Telecommunications: Cable & Wireless, Digicel and AT&T Wireless
| JAN New Years Day : ASSOU SKWE (on the square) Jan 1 and 2 A two-day fest that was held on Columbus (now Walcott) Square, SPORT mainly cricket and soccer. The St.
Lucia Regatta |
FEB 22: Independence Day Lions Club Independence Charity Tournament: One day tournament played at the St. Lucia Golf Club
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MAR Festival of Comedy
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| APRIL 14th Good Friday
17th
Easter International Earth Day
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MAY 1 Labour Day Thurs.
May 11th Pigeon Island National Landmark : Nancy Wilson, and Freddy Cole
7:00pm
10th - Cricket - West Indies vs. Zimbabwe (One day/Night International) |
JUNE 5th - Whit Monday 9th - 13th Cricket - West Indies vs. India ( Second Test ) St. Lucia Golf Open 15th - Corpus Christi: This is a big event in the Roman Catholic calendar and is marked by special masses and processions.
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JULY 17th
- 18th Carnival Fisherman's Feast |
AUGUST 1st Monday - Emancipation Day. Marks the end of slavery. 3rd Week - Market Vendors Day ( Fet Wivandez). 30th - Festival of La Rose One of two Flower festivals. |
SEPT St. Lucia Bill Fishing Tournament: A 3 day tournament for Anglers from all over the Caribbean.
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| OCT 2nd - Thanksgivng day 17th - Flower Festival of La Marguerite Jeunen Kweyol (Creole Day) |
NOV
22nd - St. Cecilia's Day
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DECEMBER Atlantic Rally for Cruisers 13th - National Day: Festival of Lights
25th - Christmas : a Christian Festival 26th - Boxing day
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www.absolucian.com: A 100% St. Lucian site that brings St. Lucian's and people
interested in St. Lucia closer together at home and abroad.
www.sluonestop.com: This site was established as a "one stop shop" to keep St. Lucians
and visitors informed about happenings in St. Lucia.
www.slaspa.com: The official site for the St Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority.
www.stats.gov.lc: The official web site of the Government Statistics Department of St.
Lucia.
www.slucia.com/visions:
The official publication of the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism
Association.
www.stlucia.gov.lc: The official web site of the Government of St. Lucia.
www.stluciaorg.com: St. Lucia Tourist Board official website
www.education.gov.lc: The St. Lucia Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development,
Youth and Sports.
www.stluciachamber.org: The official site of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce,
Industry and Agriculture.
www.luciancarnival.com: The St. Lucia Carnival official website
www.lucianvibes.com: All about events in St. Lucia
www.caribbeanhotfm.com: St. Lucia's hottest new radio station
www.stluciatravel.net: The official site of Sightseeing in St. Lucia
www.slusearch.com/news: Official news site for St. Lucia
www.stluciajazz.com: The official website of St. Lucia jazz
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5th - 14th - Jazz
Festival: 
An
unforgettable annual event that includes Calypso competitions, a Carnival Queen show
and a King and Queen of the Bands competition. TVisitors are also invited to join
this annual "jump-up" parade of music and glitter.
Only Kweyol may be spoken
on that day - or risk a 'fine'. It is the celebration of culture. Old crafts
on display - pottery, woven baskets , decorated gourds, the making of farine from
cassava, cane crushing, traditional dancing . Shak-shak bands and other old musical
groups are ever present.