Saint Lucia is a sovereign island country located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is one of the Windward Islands and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Saint Lucia has a population of approximately 183,000 people and its capital is Castries.

The island is known for its natural beauty, with stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and the iconic Pitons – two volcanic spires rising over 2,000 feet above the sea. Saint Lucia's economy is primarily driven by tourism, with the island attracting over 1.2 million visitors annually.

The official language of Saint Lucia is English, but a French Creole known as Kwéyòl is also widely spoken. The island has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from African, French, and British traditions. The local cuisine reflects this diversity, with dishes such as saltfish and green banana, callaloo soup, and breadfruit dishes being popular.

Saint Lucia gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979 and is a parliamentary democracy. The country's head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented on the island by a Governor-General. Saint Lucia is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, and the Caribbean Community.

Telephone Code
758

Local Emergency Phone
999, 911

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

http://www.who.int/

Climate
Tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to April), rainy season (May to August)

Currency (Code)
East Caribbean dollars (XCD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G

Major Languages
English, French patois

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 61.5%, Protestant 25.5%, other Christian 3.4%, Rastafari 1.9%

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
Twin Pitons; Sulphur Springs Park Scenic Drive; Diamond Botanical Gardens; Soufriere Estate; Pigeon Island National Park; Rodney Bay; Tet Paul Nature Trail; Morne Fortune

Major Sports
Soccer, cricket

Cultural Practices
Expect to say hello and strike up conversations with strangers.

Tipping Guidelines
The local standard for gratuities is around 10% of the total bill for restaurant's wait staff and taxi drivers. Bellhops, room service, and housekeeping should receive at least $1 (USD) per day or when a service is rendered, unless a service charge has been assessed.

Souvenirs
Painted masks, pottery, rum, batik and silkscreened fabric, wood carvings, local honey and hot sauces

Traditional Cuisine
Green Fig (unripe banana) and saltfish

Geography
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

Natural resources
forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential

People and Society
Population
167,591 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Black/African descent 85.3%, mixed 10.9%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)

Languages
English (official), Saint Lucian Creole

Religions
Roman Catholic 61.5%, Protestant 25.5% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 10.4%, Pentecostal 8.9%, Baptist 2.2%, Anglican 1.6%, Church of God 1.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), other Christian 3.4% (includes Evangelical 2.3% and Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), Rastafarian 1.9%, other 0.4%, none 5.9%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)

Population growth rate
0.27% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital
name: Castries

Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income, tourism-based Caribbean island economy; environmentally fragile; energy import-dependent; OECS host; major banana producer; well-educated labor force; key infrastructure improvements; investing in communications and IT

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.344 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$13,000 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
bananas, coconuts, fruit, tropical fruit, plantains, roots/tubers, cassava, poultry, vegetables, mangoes/guavas

Industries
tourism; clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, lime processing, coconut processing

Exports
$890.724 million (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
United States 29%, Uruguay 16%, Barbados 8%, Trinidad and Tobago 5.5%, United Kingdom 6%, Dominica 6%, Guyana 5%, France 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, beer, jewelry, bananas, refined petroleum, rum (2019)

Imports
$846.484 million (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Colombia 46%, United States 30%, Trinidad and Tobago 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, poultry meats, natural gas (2019)