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.

PEOPLE
St. Lucia's population is predominantly of African and mixed African-European descent, with small East Indian and European minorities. English is the official language, although many St. Lucians speak a French patois. Ninety percent of the population is Roman Catholic, a further reflection of early French influence on the island.

PEOPLE
St. Lucia's population is predominantly of African and mixed African-European descent, with small East Indian and European minorities. English is the official language, although many St. Lucians speak a French patois. Ninety percent of the population is Roman Catholic, a further reflection of early French influence on the island.

ECONOMY
St. Lucia's economy depends primarily on revenue from banana production and tourism with some input from smallscale manufacturing. There are numerous small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises. Revenue from agriculture has supported the noticeable socioeconomic changes that have taken place in St. Lucia since the 1960s.

ECONOMY
St. Lucia's economy depends primarily on revenue from banana production and tourism with some input from smallscale manufacturing. There are numerous small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises. Revenue from agriculture has supported the noticeable socioeconomic changes that have taken place in St. Lucia since the 1960s.

Full country name: Saint Lucia
Area: 616 sq km
Population: 156,260
Capital City: Castries
People: African (90%), mixed descent (6%), European and East Indian (4%)
Language: English
Religion: Roman Catholic (90%), Protestant (7%), Anglican (3%)
Government: independent republic within the British Commonwealth
Head of State: Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy
Head of Government: Prime Minister Kenny Anthony
GDP: US$656 million
GDP per capita: US$4,300
Annual Growth: 2.9%
Major Industries: Bananas, coconuts, cocoa, assembly of electronic components, clothing, tourism.
Major Trading Partners: USA, Caricom (Caribbean community) countries, UK, Japan, Canada