The volcanic island of Saint Lucia is more mountainous than many other Caribbean islands, with the highest point being Mount Gimie, at 950 m above sea level. Two other mountains, the Pitons, form the island's most famous landmark. They are located between Soufrière and Choiseul on the western side of the island. Saint Lucia is also one of the few islands in the world that flaunts a drive-in volcano.
The capital city of Saint Lucia is Castries, where about one third of the population lives. Major towns include Gros Islet, Soufrière and Vieux Fort. The local climate is tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds, with a dry season from January to April and a rainy season from May to November.
The recent changes in the European Union import preference regime and the increased competition from Latin American bananas have made economic diversification increasingly important in Saint Lucia. The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries, which is the island's main source of revenue. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana industry. Despite negative growth in 2001, economic fundamentals remain solid, and GDP growth should recover in the future.
The small population of Saint Lucia is of mostly African descent (upwards of 90% of the population).There is also a small but economically significant mulatto minority representing approximately 5%; just 1.1% are of European origin, with an Indo-Caribbean minority of some 3%. A small, mixed Carib (Kalinago) population mainly centered in the Choiseul region, but also in other towns on the Western coast, is present as well. Rounding out the population are small numbers of Lebanese and Syrians. The official language of the country is English, but a patois based mainly on French is also spoken. The majority of the population are Roman Catholics (ca. 90%); the rest are Anglicans (3%) or other Protestants (7%).
Second only to bananas, tourism is vital to St Lucia's economy - and it is hard to imagine that tourism will not become even more important in the future. Provided one visits during the dry season (January - April), St Lucia has all the ingredients necessary for a great holiday in the sun: warm temperatures, breath taking scenery, gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear waters and friendly natives.
But St Lucia also has character: there is more to see than just the beaches. In the south there is the "World's only drive-in Volcano" which is a great day out (the smell notwithstanding) as is the wonderful Botanical Gardens. In the north there is Pigeon Island National Park, with the ruins of an old British base (Fort Rodney) once commanded by Admiral Rodney to which the area Rodney Bay is named after. The fact that the island is not over-developed is also a plus-point: there are lovely beaches without hotels, sweeping mountains and impenetrable rain forests.
Image:Lucia_079.jpg|View from Pigeon Point (Fort Rodney)- 2006Image:MarigoldBay.jpg|Soufriere Bay - February 2006Image:AtlanticBeach.jpg|Unspoiled St Lucia beach - February 2006Image:Day248bdrivem.JPG|Typical sight in Canaries: houses on hills - June 2006
