St. Lucia Sections Getting There Where To Stay Activities City Guide Visitor Tips Getting Married Calendar Weather Maps Information Request St. Lucia Main CTW Main	Sparkling bays glisten in the sunlight over picturesque sandy coves. Exotic rainforests burst with the vibrant colors of tropical flowers and vegetation. The `Twin Peaks` of the Pitons magnificently rise from the sea. For the explorer in you, trek through an exotic rainforest, take a bike ride along the waters or bask in the abundant natural wonder of the Soufriere area. Largely untouched by time, the island of St. Lucia truly is a vacation you will never forget. In addition to the wide variety of opportunities to hike, birdwatch, and tour St. Lucia's outstanding natural attractions, the island is replete with a full range of recreational facilities. Visitors may enjoy the leisurely pleasures of touring the island by horse, chartering a yacht for an evening sail or day cruise, or relax with a round of golf amid St. Lucia's entrancing natural beauty. For those who enjoy the thrill of an even more active vacation, there are plenty of places to windsurf, dive, snorkel, water-ski, or play tennis or squash. Geography St Lucia is the second-largest of the Windward Islands. It has some of the finest mountain scenery in the West Indies, rich with tropical vegetation. For so small an island, 43km (27 miles) by 23km (14 miles), St Lucia has a great variety of plant and animal life. Orchids and exotic plants of the genus anthurium grow wild in the rainforests and the roadsides are covered with many colourful tropical flowers. Flamboyant trees spread shade and blossom everywhere. Indigenous wildlife includes a species of ground lizard unique to St Lucia, and the agouti and the manicou, two rodents, common throughout the island. The Amazon versicolor parrot is another, though more elusive, inhabitant of the deep interior rainforest. The highest peak is Mount Gimie at 950m (3117ft). Most spectacular are Gros Piton and Petit Piton, ancient, volcanic forest-covered cones which rise out of the sea on the west coast. Soufri (vents in a volcano which exude hydrogen sulphide, steam and other gases) and boiling waterpools can be seen here. The mountains are intersected by short rivers which in some areas form broad fertile valleys. The island has excellent beaches and is surrounded by a clear, warm sea. Background 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. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979.   St. Lucia At A Glance - Language: English and local French patois Government: Westminster-style parliamentary democracy Capital: Castries Size: 616.3 sq km (238 sq miles) Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Climate: Tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz Currency: East Caribbean Dollar Driving: Driving is on the left and the use of seat belts is compulsory. Observe the speed limits and no parking zones. Rentals: There are several reputable rental companies on island. Cars, 4-wheel drive vehicles and scooters can be booked in advance through your travel agent or at the airports, hotels or car rental offices on island.
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