The island of Saint Lucia is a nature lover's paradise with great natural scenery. Given its small area, 43km (27 miles) by 23km (14 miles), St Lucia has a great variety of plant and animal life. Orchids and exotic plants grow wild in the rainforests and the roadsides are covered with many colourful tropical flowers. Colourfully-plumed tropical birds abound, including endangered species like the indigenous St. Lucia parrot as well as, the White Breasted Thrasher, hummingbirds and the St. Lucia Oriole.
Official Name : Saint Lucia

Capital : Castries

Nationality : St.Lucian(s)

Official Languages : English, also French based Patois

Total Population : 158,178(est 2001)

Head of Government : Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony since 1997

Currency : Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$)

Exchange Rate : EC$1.00 = U.S.$0.37; U.S.$1.00 = EC$2.70

Time Zone :EST +1; GMT -4 Phone Code Regional Code (758) plus 7 digit local number

St. Lucia has a mild climate, and you'll feel the constant breeze of the northeast Trade Winds. Average rainfall ranges from 60 inches in the coastal region to 160 inches in the interior rainforest.The average annual temperature is 26°C (82°F), and the rainy season is from June through November.

History  St. Lucia is one of the Windward Islands between Martinique and St.Vincent. St. Lucia was originally inhabited by the Amerindians before the European settlers arrived. The island was claimed by both the British and the French throughout the 17th and 18th century. When an English colony was formed in 1638 it was wiped out by the native Carib Indians in 1640.
  About 1650, the French arrived and had claimed the island for the French West India Company.The British did not accept this and challenged the French in battle 14 times. The island's first settlements and towns were all French, beginning with Soufriere in 1746.
  By 1780, twelve settlements and a large number of sugar plantations had been established. After further bitter fighting with France, the British gained control of the island in 1814. St. Lucia was a member of the Windward Islands Federation until 1959, and also a member of the West Indies Federation from 1958 to 1962. The island was granted associated statehood in 1967, Britain retained responsibility for its defense and foreign affairs.By 1979 St. Lucia became an independent state within the commonwealth, and today is a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (O.E.C.S)