FUN AND INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ST. LUCIA

Is lockdown bringing you down? Instead of blindly surfing the web, why not pick up a few things? We visited St. Lucia last November and wanted to share some exciting facts about the island. Take heed, folks. Let’s learn more about this small-known island in the West Indies.

The West Indies is located between the Atlantic and Eastern Caribbean Seas. Saint Lucia is among 13 countries independent of the Greater Antilles or the Lesser Antilles.

Fun facts about Saint Lucia

The Atlantic Ocean and the Eastern Caribbean border St. Lucia. It is also known by the name Saint Lucia. The governor-general represents the queen, just like in Canada.

Saint Lucia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Saint Lucia, like Canada, is part of the Commonwealth. It is a democratic country, but Queen Elizabeth II is its head of state. Like Canada, Queen Elizabeth II is just a figurehead. The Governor-General represents her.

Like all other countries in the Commonwealth, St. Lucia has a parliamentary system. Therefore, it is managed by a Prime Minister. Allen Chastanet is the current prime minister in St. Lucia.

Saint Lucia is small.

It covers only 617 km2 (238 square miles). It is just 43 km long (27 miles) and 22 km wide (14 miles). Driving through St. Lucia is slow because of the winding roads and mountainous terrain. It took us 90 minutes to drive the 27 miles.

Castries is Saint Lucia’s capital. This is where most cruise ships arrive.

Martinique, St. Vincent, and Grenadines are the closest islands to St. Lucia. Barbados is a little further to the East. On a clear day, you can see Martinique Island, St. Vincent, and Grenadines from the South.

Interesting Facts: Women in History

Some of the most interesting facts about Saint Lucia are connected to women. One is about the wars between men, and another is about death.

Only one country in the World named after a woman

Saint Lucia is the only country named after an individual woman worldwide. This is so cool! Saint Lucy of Syracuse was murdered in 304 A.D. during what is known as the Diocletianic Persecution (I had no choice but to look it up). She was a Christian martyr and became Saint Lucia. It was named after her by French sailors shipwrecked on its shores on Saint Feast Day, December 13.

Helen of the West Indies

St. Lucia’s nickname is Helen of the West Indies. Because St. Lucia lived in a constant war between the French & British for two centuries, it was fitting that it was named after Helen. Saint Lucia was a Trojan Horse. The fall of armies continued, even though they were mobilizing to conquer.

After the fighting between France & England, Saint Lucia was made a British territory by 1814. The island is now part of the Commonwealth.

Additional Interesting Stats and Facts

Official Language of Saint Lucia

English is Saint Lucia’s official language, but many people speak French Creole. While English is the official language of Saint Lucia, most people say their Saint Lucian French Creole.

Facts about St Lucia’s Flag

The flag of St Lucia is lovely – The colors of Saint Lucia’s Flag represent the blues of the sky and sea. It is an island that is surrounded by water. The blue represents the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Caribbean Sea. Yellow means the sun, while black and white represent harmony among the races.

Saint Lucia, Slavery

Unfortunately, slavery was an integral part of Saint Lucia’s history, just like other Caribbean Islands. However, slavery ended on the island in 1834.

Saint Lucia Currency

St Lucia’s The East Caribbean Dollar is also known as the Saint Lucian Currency. What is so special about the East Caribbean Dollar It has a fixed rate of USD 1

Saint Lucia Population

• St. Lucia’s population is 181,899
• The Capital City of Castries has a population of 4173.

Tourism is the primary industry in Saint Lucia. It is no surprise that tourism accounts for the majority of the country’s GDP. This is because it is a famous Caribbean island to visit and attracts people from all over the globe.

Agriculture is also essential to the economy, such bananas and avocados.

Saint Lucia Nature Facts

Home to the Pitons – A UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Pitons are the symbol of St. Lucia. You must see the Petit Piton and Gros Piton, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These spectacular volcanic spires and plugs rise from the Caribbean Sea to approximately. Both can be hiked.

Gros Piton stands 798.25m (2618 feet), while Petit Piton stands 743m (2437 feet). The Pitons are what make St. Lucia the most beautiful Caribbean Island.

Contrary to popular belief, the highest point in Saint Lucia isn’t Gros Piton. Mount Gimie, which is 959m (3,145ft) tall, is the island’s highest point.

The only Volcano Drive in the World

St. Lucia is home to the only drive-in volcano in the World. You can drive up to a volcano. The sulfur springs can be found in a volcanic crater that has collapsed. The hot springs are still boiling below the surface. Tourists can enjoy the hot springs down below.

La Soufriere, the volcano’s name, last erupted in 1776. They are expected to erupt again soon, but we don’t need to worry. The volcanologists are monitoring it so that people can still visit the only drive-in volcano in the World for many years. The hot springs of boiling sulfur provide hot water for Soufriere.

Saint Lucia Parrot

The Saint Lucia Parrot, the national bird of St. Lucia, is unique because it is only found there. It is also called the Jacquot. We did not see any Saint Lucia Parrots during our time on the island.

Famous Saint Lucians

Not one, but two Nobel Prizes Winners

Saint Lucia is home to the second-highest number of Nobel laureates per capita, behind only the Faroe Islands. However, the Faroe Islands has only one Nobel laureate per capita, while Saint Lucia has two. This makes it number one in mine.

We are proud to share a remarkable fact about St. Lucia, a tiny island. Two Nobel Prize winners have called it home.

Sir William Arthur Lewis was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics in 1979. Sir Derek Walcott received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992.

Pirate History

Pirates used Saint Lucia as their home. Blackbeard is said to have kept his treasures at Vieux Fort in Southern Saint Lucia.

Pirates used Pigeon Island in the south as a hiding place.

History of English and French

Vieux Fort and Pigeon Island were also strategic military points in Saint Lucia. France and Britain ruled Saint Lucia for over two centuries. France took over control, and England took control. It was a continuous yo-yo.

Between the 17th and early 19th centuries, saint Lucia was in 14 different hands. England won, and Saint Lucia became a Commonwealth member in 1814.

Saint Lucian Food Facts

Saint Lucia Beer

Piton Beer is Saint Lucia’s national beer. Piton Beer, named after the only UNESCO World Heritage Site on Saint Lucia, is brewed and bottled on the island. It is delicious!

Saint Lucian Rum

Saint Lucia’s Rum is the national spirit. Saint Lucia, like all Caribbean Islands, is passionate about rum. The main island’s rum distillery, the St Lucia Distillers, produces more than 25 varieties.

Saint Lucia in the Movies

Saint Lucia featured prominently in the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies. It’s impossible to believe. Saint Lucia is so beautiful.

Romancing the Stone featured Diamond Falls. Other movies include Superman II, White Squall, and Dr. Doolittle.