Saint Lucia ( Saint Lucia) is a country in Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. Saint Lucia geographic coordinates 13 53 N, 60 68 W; area 606 sq km; area comparative 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC; land boundaries 0 km; coastline 158 km; maritime claims 20; climate tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from Ma; terrain volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys; elevation extremes Mount Gimie 950 m; natural resources forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential; land use 70.49% (2001); irrigated land 30 sq km (1998 est.); natural hazards hurricanes and volcanic activity; environment current issues deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region; environment international agreements none of the selected agreements; geography note the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean;

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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. government type Westminster-style parliamentary democracy; capital Castries; administrative divisions 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort; independence 22 February 1979 (from UK); national holiday Independence Day, 22 February (1979); constitution 22 February 1979; legal system based on English common law; suffrage 18 years of age; universal;

people

Saint Lucia population 166,312 (July 2005 est.); age structure 5.2% (male 3,172/female 5,455) (2005 est.); median age 25.66 years (2005 est.); population growth rate 1.28% (2005 est.); birth rate 20.05 births/1,000 population (2005 est.); death rate 5.12 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.); net migration rate -2.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.); sex ratio 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.); infant mortality rate 14.66 deaths/1,000 live births; life expectancy at birth 77.42 years (2005 est.); total fertility rate 2.21 children born/woman (2005 est.); hiv adult rate NA; hiv people with aids NA; hiv deaths NA; nationality Saint Lucian; ethnic groups black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1%; religions Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 3%, other Protestant 7%; languages English (official), French patois; literacy 69% (1980 est.);

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