Nickname: Helen of the West Indies | |
|---|---|
 Map of Saint Lucia | |
 | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 13°53′N 60°58′W / 13.883°N 60.967°W |
| Archipelago | Windward Islands |
| Area | 616 km2 (238 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 158 km (98.2 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 950 m (3120 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Gimie |
| Administration | |
Saint Lucia | |
| District | 10 |
| Largest settlement | Castries (pop. 10,634) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 160,765 (2005) |
| Pop. density | 260.98/km2 (675.94/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | African 82.5%, Mulatto 11.9%, East Indian 2.4%, White 1.0%, Other or unspecified 3.1% |
Saint Lucia is one of many small land masses composing the insular group known as the Windward Islands.[1] Unlike large limestone areas such as Florida, Cuba, and the Yucatan Peninsula, or the Bahamas, which is a small island group composed of coral and sand, Saint Lucia is a typical Windward Island formation of volcanic rock that came into existence long after much of the region had already been formed.[1]
Saint Lucia's physical features are notable.[1] Dominated by high peaks and rain forests in the interior, the 616-square-kilometer (238-square-mile) island is known for the twin peaks of Gros Piton (13°48′36″N 61°04′03″W / 13.81013°N 61.06753°W) and Petit Piton (13°49′59″N 61°03′49″W / 13.83308°N 61.0635°W) on the southwestern coast, its soft sandy beaches, and its magnificent natural harbours.[1] Mount Gimie, the highest peak, is located in the central mountain range and rises to 958 meters (3,143 ft) above sea level, a contrast that is also evident in the abrupt climatic transition from coastal to inland areas.[1] The steep terrain also accentuates the many rivers that flow from central Saint Lucia to the Caribbean.[1] Fertile land holdings, which support banana farming, are scattered throughout the island.[1]
Saint Lucia has a tropical, humid climate moderated by northeast trade winds that allow for pleasant year-round conditions.[1] Mean annual temperatures range from 26 °C (78.8 °F) to 32 °C (89.6 °F) at sea level and drop to an average of 13 °C (55.4 °F) in the mountain peaks.[1] The abundant annual rainfall accumulates to approximately 2,000 millimeters (78.7 in), with most precipitation occurring during the June to December wet season.[1] Hurricanes are the most severe climatic disturbance in this area and have been known to cause extensive damage.[1] Although Saint Lucia has historically been spared from serious hurricane destruction, Hurricane Allen decimated the agricultural sector and claimed nine lives in 1980.[1] More recently, in 2010, Hurricane Tomas claimed seven lives and also caused extensive agricultural damage, particularly to the island's burgeoning cocoa crop.