Quick Look at Saint Lucia: Discovery

Quick Look at Saint Lucia: Discovery

• Location: between Martinique to the north and Saint Vincent to the south
• Area: 616 km2, 43 kilometres long and 23 kilometres wide
• Highest point: Mount Gimie, 958 meters
• Status : Independent state since 1979, member of the Commonwealth
• Area: 616 km2, 43 kilometres long and 23 kilometres wide
• Population : 161,000 inhabitants (2003).
• Capital: Castries
• Languages: English, Creole
• Currency: the official currency is the East Caribbean dollar. The American dollar is accepted everywhere.
• Advisories & Safety: : Travellers are always advised to carefully obtain info about the sites and places that can be visited on the island, and to be sure to inform someone before travelling and going on other excursions. Refer to the advisories issued by the Saint Lucian authorities and tourist offices.

Independent since 1979, the island of Saint Lucia is located to the south of Martinique and to the north of Saint Vincent. Regularly the subject of dispute between France and England (14 times!), it today sports a mixed heritage: English is spoken but the Creole is close to that of Martinique and many localities use French. Perhaps it is for this reason that exchanges between the two islands are rather intense. The inhabitants of Guadeloupe and the Guyanese also follow this rhythm. Just add the warm welcome, the ever-present joy of living and the diversity in landscapes allowing several forms of tourism to be combined together, and you'll better appreciate its attractiveness.

Moreover, today the island is openly positioning itself on the French-speaking markets. Spending a day or a weekend on Saint Lucia has long been a custom for the inhabitants of Martinique, but without a doubt the jazz festival (in the month of May) still remains the main event, attracting large crowds. Even if the flights are fully booked at this time of the year, the preferred method for enthusiasts is still by sail boats that come from all over.
Besides the festival, the famous festivals at Gros-Islets and Anse La Raye, both small fishing villages, are still a good excuse for a little excursion. It's true that these festivals have become very touristy, but for someone who knows even just a little about them, their charm can be detected quite easily.