SAINT LUCIA

Saint Lucia is a delicious tropical island surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. It is part of the Lesser Antilles and is located north of the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and south of Martinique.

The territory covers 617 square km.

The island population counts about 170 thousand inhabitants with an average density of 260 people per square km. The population is of mostly African descent, followed by a small Indo-Caribbean minority (about 3%) and by Europeans.

Castries. It is a nice and dynamic city surrounded by steep and woody high grounds. It was built around 1760 by the French Minister for the Marine, the Warrant Officer de Castries, whom it was named after.

Castries, Soufriere, Choiseul, Vieux Fort, Anse la Raye.

Hewanorra International Airport - Saint Lucia.

It seems that the Caribbean islands were inhabited already in the stone age by the Ciboney, a nomadic community. Such theory is supported by some archaeological sites with some findings dating back to six thousand years ago and referable to the Ciboney. Around the IV century BC the island was settled by the Arawaks, a well organized population given to the cultivation of tobacco, cocoa, cotton and "yam", a sort of potato. Their presence was first threatened by the Caribs, a warlike community coming from South America and afterwards it was definitively destroyed by slavery, wars and epidemics. In 1502, during his fourth travel, Christopher Columbus was the first Westerner to land on the island of Saint Lucia, starting the modern history of this country. Some historians state, on the contrary, that the first European to reach the island was Francois Le Clerc, a French pirate of the XVI century. Thanks to its geographic position, and in particular to the natural strategic port of Castries, Saint Lucia was claimed both by France and Great Britain. In the period between the XVII and the XVIII century, this much desired island changed flags 14 times. The English crown gained the final ruling power only in 1814, when the Treaty of Paris was signed which definitely ceded the island to Great Britain. After a long period of British dominion, Saint Lucia was first part of the Federation of West Indies from 1958 to 1962, it gained internal autonomy in 1967 while full independence was reached on the 22nd of February 1979. Today the country is an Independent Republic member of the British Commonwealth.

The 22nd of February (1979 - Independence Day).

Independent Republic member of the British Commonwealth.

English is the official language, but also French and the Creole patois are spoken.

Almost 70% of the population are Roman Catholics. Protestants, Adventists and Rastafari account for the remainder.

Five hours behind Italy, six hours behind when in Italy the Daylight Saving Time is in use.

Italian citizens visiting Saint Lucia are only required to hold a passport with a validity longer than six months. People who want to stay in Saint Lucia for a period longer than 90 days have to request the visa to the competent authority.

The country's monetary unit is the East Caribbean Dollar (ECD).

CHECK THE CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE

The main international credit cards are accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants.

No vaccination is required to visit Saint Lucia. Before leaving it is advisable to draw an insurance contract covering illnesses and accidents. Moreover, it is advisable to bring a small but well equipped travelling pharmacy.

The island has a typical Caribbean climate with temperatures varying from 24 to 32°C. The constant presence of the trade winds helps supporting particularly hot and humid days. On the island of Saint Lucia there are two seasons: the dry and the rain season. The first starts in December and ends in April, while the second starts in May and lasts until November. As in the whole Caribbean region, the island is stricken by hurricanes in period from July to November.

CHECK THE WEATHER FORECASTS IN REAL TIME

The voltage is 110/220v. It is advisable to bring with you a current adaptor.

Calling Italy from Saint Lucia is rather simple: dial 011 39, then the Italian area code - including zero for fixed net numbers - and the number you wish to call (for example: to call a fixed net telephone number in Milan just dial 011 39 02 44 .... ; to call a mobile phone number just dial 011 39 335 31...).
To call Saint Lucia from Italy, dial the international code 001758, followed by the number you wish to call. The international roaming is active in the main centres but before departure it is advisable to get informed about coverage, costs and about the model of working mobiles (dual-band, tri-band, etc.).
Checking or sending e-mails will not be a problem: each hotel is supplied with internet points.

For those who like videos and pictures Brazil is a real paradise. There are no restrictions to take pictures or make amateur videos for private use. As in any other country, it is advisable to politely ask local people for their permission before taking pictures of them.

Buying a souvenir or a present for friends and relatives is not a problem. Among the several objects sold on the stalls of the traditional markets you will find wooden sculptures, local chinaware, hand-painted tablecloths, and jewels decorated with shells. One of the most famous and interesting markets on Saint Lucia is the Castries Craft Market, near the port. It is not to be missed!

The gastronomic tradition of Saint Lucia is typical of the Caribbean region: fresh fish cooked with different spices, chicken meat, rice, beans, vegetables and a lot of tropical fruit. In order to taste dishes cooked using seasonal products, it is advisable to stop in the markets or in the traditional restaurants. Culinary explorers can not leave the island without having tasted the spicy "creole gazpacho" cooked with shellfish, or the delicious lamb chops served with different herbs.

Caribbean rhythms are famous all over the world. On Saint Lucia music is very important and is the beating heart of the population. One of the most widespread sounds is the "calypso". This sound has its ancient origins in the songs of the slaves deported from Africa. Today artists create songs mixing the "calypso" with modern rhythms. These songs are highly appreciated both by local people and by all the tourists visiting the island every year.

Having fun is easy on Saint Lucia. The island offers a wide variety of opportunities: clubs, discos and parties on the beach. The best week days are obviously Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On the coast you will find the majority of the nightclubs, where theme-parties are often organized and where people dance till the sun rises again.

Music festivals and sport shows are some of the events scheduled during the whole year on the island. Here are the most important:

- February - Carnival and Independence Day (22nd of February)
- May - Saint Lucia Jazz Festival
- September - Saint Lucia Billfishing Tournament
- October (28th) - Creole Festival
- December (13th) - National Holiday

Among the forty or more bird species living in the rain forest of Saint Lucia, many are facing an extinction risk such as the "Saint Lucia wren" and the "red-winged thrush". In the past some special measures had been taken to save the "jacquot" parrot. Thanks to such measures this species was saved and today it is still possible to admire these wonderful birds which are higher than forty centimetres.

1) The Pigeon Island Natural Park
2) National Rainforest
3) The small city of Soufrière
4) Diamond Botanical Gardens, Waterfall & Mineral Baths - Soufriere
5) Maria Islands Nature Reserve - Soufriere
6) The capital city: Castries
7) The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception - Castries
8) Morne Fortune - Castries
9) Morne Fond St. Jacques and the reserve of the rain forest
10) The Marine Park of Anse Chastanet

1) Soufrière Marine Park - Perfect for diving and snorkelling
2) Key Hole Pinnacles - Thanks to its peaks covered by corals, it is one of the destinations preferred by divers.
3). Vieux Fort - Ideal for people who love surfing, windsurfing, sailing and kitesurfing
4) Annie Bay - Famous fishing area
5) Cas-en-Bas - It is the meeting point of the surfers looking for waves to ride.

- Water - Avoid to drink tap water; drink only water from sealed bottles or cans

- Tips - Tips are not compulsory but beyond being highly appreciated, tipping the waiter is quite a common habit.

- Safety - In spite of some crime cases, Saint Lucia is not a country dangerous for tourists. It is anyway advisable to take the usual precautions in order to avoid dangerous situations.

- Dengue - On Saint Lucia the virus of Dengue is present; it is spread by a mosquito (Aedes Aegypti) which proliferate in humid areas and stagnant waters. Do not forget to use mosquito repellents.

221 Sureline Bldg, Vide Boutielle - Castries
Phone: 001 758 452 4094
Fax: 001 758 453 1121
E-mail: dirsltb@candw.lc
www.stlucia.org

Diplomatic mission in Belgium
Embassies of the Eastern Caribbean States & Missions to the European Communities
Rue de Livourne, 42 - Brussels
Phone: 00032 2 5342 611
Fax: 0032 2 5394 009
E-mail: ecs.embassies@skynet.be

Competent Italian Embassy: VENEZUELA
Calle Sorocaima entre Av.Tamanaco y Venezuela -El Rosal - Caracas
Phone: 0058 212 9527 311
Fax: 0058 212 9524 960
E-mail: ambcaracas@esteri.it
www.ambcaracas.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Caracas