St Lucia

Considered to be one of the most romantic of all destinations in the world, St Lucia is a strikingly beautiful tropical island situated at the heart of the Windward chain in the Eastern Caribbean between St Vincent and Martinique. The island is mountainous and fertile, its spectacular peaks and deep valleys draped in the lush greenery of the rainforest and blooming with tropical splendour. The stunning coastline offers variety from classic stretches of white-sand beaches to the dramatic cliffs and hidden coves, and has some of the finest natural harbours in the Caribbean. The iconic towering Pitons are just two of the island’s natural wonders; the spectacular twin volcanic peaks rise majestically from the sea, midway down the Caribbean coast.

As well as being the perfect place to relax and do nothing, St Lucia offers visitors a colourful kaleidoscope of attractions to entertain them. Experience the adventure of exploring its sultry rainforest and swimming in its tropical waterfalls or take advantage of the excellent opportunities for snorkelling and diving in the clear turquoise waters surrounding the island which are home to a magnificent array of colourful marine life.

The Marquis Estate is located just 15 minutes from the George Charles Airport near Castries.

Key Facts

Population
170,650

Capital
Castries

Area
616 sq km/238 sq m); 43 km/27 miles long 23 km/14 miles wide

Geography
St Lucia is a volcanic island dominated by high peaks and rain forests and is known for the twin peaks of Gros Piton and Petit Piton on the southwestern coast. The highest peak is Mount Gimie - 958m/3118ft. The island has 158 km of coastline. The island is divided into 11 quarters – Anse la Raye, Canaries, Castries, Choiseul, Dennery, Forest, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Soufriere, Vieux Fort

Time Difference
GMT -4 Hours

Language
Official language is English; the local dialect is French Patois

Monetary Unit
Eastern Caribbean dollar EC$ (fixed to the US Dollar); US dollars are widely accepted

Airport
Hewanorra International Airport on the southern tip of the island handles international flights. The George F.L. Charles Airport in Castries handles inter-Caribbean traffic

Flight Times
8 hours 45 minutes from London – BA and Virgin fly from Gatwick; Virgin fly from Manchester; 4 hours from New York – with American Airlines

Climate
Tropical climate with little seasonal temperature variation averaging 27°c; average daily sunshine is 8 – 9 hours; seasonal rainfall between June and December
Location St Lucia is the second largest of the Windward Islands and part of the Lesser Antilles, with the Caribbean Sea on the west coast and the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast

Government
St Lucia is an ex-British colony and has been an independent state in the Commonwealth since February 1979; Governor General - Pearlette Louisy; Prime Minister - Stephenson King
Economy In 2005 GDP grew by 5.1% Tourism and banana production are the main sources of income for St Lucia and the tourist industry is its biggest employer. Improvements in roads, communications and services infrastructure have attracted foreign investment.

Tourism
St Lucia is considered to be the most romantic destination in the Caribbean and attracts a large number of visitors each year. In 2005 tourist visitors totalled over 700,000 mainly from the US and UK and tourism accounted for more than 48% of St Lucia’s GDP. High season – mid Dec to mid April

A final thought . . .

" The number of UK visitors to St.LUcia in 2006 was 73,312, 24.2% of the total number os visitors to the island (302,510). The total number of arrivals has increased by 19.4% since 200 at an average rate of 4.68% per year during this period. "

Caribben tourism organisation, 2005.