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Saint Lucia

Introduction:

The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries, was contested between England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979.

Official name: Saint Lucia Capital: name: Castries geographic coordinates: 14 01 N, 61 00 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Government type: parliamentary democracy Population: 170,649 (July 2007 est.) Languages: English (official), French patois Official Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) Current East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rates Historical East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rates Chart East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rates Currency code: XCD Area: total: 616 sq km land: 606 sq km water: 10 sq km Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August

Map of Saint Lucia

Facts at a Glance:	Geography - People - Government - Economy - Communications - Transportation - Military - Climate - Current Time - Ranking Positions - East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rates
Notes and Commentary:	People - Economy - Government and Political Conditions - Historical Highlights - Foreign Relations - Relations with U.S.