# Saint Lucia

> island sovereign state in the Caribbean Sea

**Wikidata**: [Q760](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q760)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-lucia

## Summary
Saint Lucia is an island sovereign state located in the Caribbean Sea, specifically within the Lesser Antilles and the Windward Islands. It functions as a constitutional monarchy and a Commonwealth realm, with its capital at Castries and its official language being English. The nation gained full independence on February 22, 1979, after transitioning from an associated state status established in 1967.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Saint Lucia (also known as Sainte-Lucie in French).
- **Capital**: Castries.
- **Independence Date**: February 22, 1979 (recognized by the Commonwealth of Nations).
- **Associated Statehood**: March 1, 1967.
- **Population**: 167,591 (2023 estimation).
- **Area**: 617.012867 square kilometres.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 13.883333333333333, Longitude -60.96666666666667.
- **Continent**: North America (geographically part of the Caribbean).
- **Highest Point**: Mount Gimie (950 metres).
- **Lowest Point**: Caribbean Sea (0 metres).
- **Timezone**: UTC−04:00 (America/St_Lucia).
- **Currency**: Eastern Caribbean dollar (since 1965).
- **National Anthem**: "Sons and Daughters of Saint Lucia".
- **National Motto**: "The Land, The People, The Light".
- **Tourism Slogan**: "Simply beautiful".
- **National Language**: English; Saint Lucian Creole is also widely spoken.
- **Driving Side**: Left-hand traffic.
- **Emergency Numbers**: 911 (fire/medical), 999 (police).
- **International Calling Code**: +1758.
- **Internet TLD**: .lc.
- **ISO Codes**: Alpha-2: LC, Alpha-3: LCA, Numeric: 662.
- **M49 Code**: 662.
- **Aircraft Registration Prefix**: LCA.
- **Maritime Identification Digits**: 343.
- **Head of State**: Charles III (since September 8, 2022).
- **Head of Government**: Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre (since July 28, 2021).
- **Legislative Body**: Parliament of Saint Lucia.
- **Electrical System**: 240 volts, 50 Hz; plug type BS 1363.
- **Marriageable Age**: 18 years (all genders).
- **Administrative Divisions**: 11 quarters (Anse la Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufrière, Vieux Fort).
- **Gini Coefficient**: 51.2 (2016).
- **Nominal GDP**: $2,065,027,556 (2022).
- **Human Development Index (HDI)**: 0.715 (2021).
- **Life Expectancy**: 71 years (2022).
- **Birth Rate**: 11.316 per 1,000 people (2022).
- **Death Rate**: 10.151 per 1,000 people (2022).
- **Total Fertility Rate**: 1.89 (2014).
- **Licence Plate Code**: WL (since 1932).
- **Named After**: Saint Lucy.
- **Geographic Location**: Southern Caribbean, part of the Windward Islands.

## FAQs
**What is the political status and government structure of Saint Lucia?**
Saint Lucia is a sovereign state that operates as a constitutional monarchy and a Commonwealth realm. The British monarch serves as the head of state, represented locally by a Governor-General, while the Prime Minister acts as the head of government within a parliamentary system.

**Where is Saint Lucia located and what are its geographic extremes?**
The island nation is situated in the Caribbean Sea within the Lesser Antilles and Windward Islands. Its northernmost point is Cap Estate, the southernmost is Ministre Point, the easternmost is Louvet Point, and the westernmost is Grand Caille Point.

**What are the demographic trends and population statistics for Saint Lucia?**
As of 2023, the population is estimated at 167,591, with a slight majority of females. The society is predominantly urban, with approximately 34,263 people living in urban areas compared to 145,594 in rural areas as of 2022.

**Which international organizations does Saint Lucia belong to?**
Saint Lucia is a member of the United Nations (since 1979), the Commonwealth of Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the Organization of American States. It also participates in specialized bodies like UNESCO, the World Health Organization, and Interpol.

**What is the economic profile and currency used in Saint Lucia?**
The economy is characterized by a nominal GDP of over $2 billion as of 2022, with a Gini coefficient indicating moderate income inequality. The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, which has been in use since 1965, and the country utilizes a mixed economic model.

**How does Saint Lucia rank in terms of human development and quality of life?**
The country holds a "High" Human Development Index rating of 0.715 as of 2021, with a life expectancy of 71 years. It is designated as a "free country" in Freedom in the World rankings and has a total fertility rate of 1.89.

## Why It Matters
Saint Lucia matters as a distinct sovereign entity in the Southern Caribbean that balances its historical colonial ties with modern democratic governance and economic independence. As a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations, it plays a role in regional diplomacy, particularly within the Caribbean Community and the Alliance of Small Island States. The nation is significant for its unique cultural blend of English and French influences, its status as a "free country" with a stable constitutional monarchy, and its contribution to the geopolitical landscape of the Windward Islands. Its economic reliance on tourism and agriculture, combined with its participation in global trade organizations, makes it a relevant case study for small island developing states navigating climate resilience and sustainable development. Furthermore, its designation on the EU tax haven blacklist (historically) and its subsequent efforts to comply with international standards highlight its engagement with global financial regulations.

## Notable For
- **Independence Milestone**: Achieved full sovereignty on February 22, 1979, transitioning from an associated state of the United Kingdom.
- **Geographic Distinction**: Home to Mount Gimie, the highest peak in the country at 950 metres, and the Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage site (implied by geography context).
- **Cultural Heritage**: Named after Saint Lucy, the only country in the world named after a female saint.
- **Political Stability**: Maintains a "free country" status with a functioning parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy.
- **Regional Leadership**: Active member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) since 1974 and the Organization of American States.
- **Tourism Branding**: Promoted globally with the slogan "Simply beautiful" and recognized for its scenic landscapes like Anse la Raye.
- **Demographic Profile**: Exhibits a specific population distribution with a higher rural population compared to urban centers.
- **Historical Transitions**: Evolved from the Colony of Saint Lucia to the West Indies Federation and finally to an independent state.
- **Legal Framework**: Adheres to the Commonwealth of Nations legal traditions and uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar.
- **Environmental Status**: Part of the Southern Caribbean region and subject to specific maritime identification digits (343).

## Body

### History and Independence
Saint Lucia's path to sovereignty involved a transition from colonial rule to full independence. The territory was previously known as the Colony of Saint Lucia and was part of the West Indies Federation. On March 1, 1967, it became an associated state, gaining internal autonomy while the United Kingdom retained responsibility for defense and foreign affairs. Full independence was declared on February 22, 1979, marking the country's separation from the British Empire and its entry into the Commonwealth of Nations. The nation was named after Saint Lucy, a Christian martyr. Prior to independence, the island was contested by various European powers, including the French and British, before finally becoming a British colony.

### Geography and Environment
The island nation occupies a territory of 617.012867 square kilometres in the Southern Caribbean. It is located at coordinates 13.883333333333333° N, 60.96666666666667° W. The landscape features Mount Gimie as the highest point at 950 metres, while the lowest point is at sea level in the Caribbean Sea. The country is divided into 11 administrative quarters: Anse la Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufrière, and Vieux Fort. The easternmost point is Louvet Point, the westernmost is Grand Caille Point, the northernmost is Cap Estate, and the southernmost is Ministre Point. The island is part of the Lesser Antilles and the Windward Islands chain.

### Government and Politics
Saint Lucia operates as a constitutional monarchy with the British monarch, currently Charles III, serving as the head of state. The monarch is represented by a Governor-General, with the current officeholder assuming the role in 2022. The head of government is the Prime Minister, currently Philip J. Pierre, who has held the position since July 28, 2021. The legislative authority rests with the Parliament of Saint Lucia. The country is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and maintains a democratic system of government. The basic form of government is a constitutional monarchy, and the country is classified as a "free country" in international freedom indices.

### Demographics and Society
As of 2023, the population of Saint Lucia is estimated at 167,591. The demographic profile shows a slight female majority, with 90,909 females and 88,948 males recorded in 2022. The society is predominantly rural, with 145,594 people living in rural areas compared to 34,263 in urban areas as of 2022. The birth rate was 11.316 per 1,000 people in 2022, while the death rate was 10.151 per 1,000 people. The total fertility rate was 1.89 in 2014. Life expectancy at birth is 71 years as of 2022. The official language is English, but Saint Lucian Creole is also widely spoken. The age of majority is 18, and the marriageable age is 18 for all genders.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy of Saint Lucia is supported by a nominal GDP of $2,065,027,556 as of 2022. The currency used is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, which has been in circulation since 1965. The Gini coefficient, measuring income inequality, was 51.2 in 2016. The country's infrastructure includes a left-hand traffic system and an electrical grid operating at 240 volts and 50 Hz using BS 1363 plugs. The emergency telephone numbers are 911 for fire and medical services and 999 for police. The international calling code is +1758, and the top-level internet domain is .lc. The country's maritime identification digits are 343.

### International Relations and Memberships
Saint Lucia maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including the United States, China, and Taiwan. It is a member of the United Nations, having joined on September 18, 1979. The country is also a member of the World Trade Organization, the Organization of American States, and UNESCO. Other memberships include the Caribbean Community (since 1974), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Finance Corporation. Saint Lucia is part of the Alliance of Small Island States and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States. It has also joined the Interpol, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and the World Customs Organization.

### Symbols and Culture
The national flag of Saint Lucia features a distinctive design adopted in 2002, replacing previous versions from 1979 and 1967. The national anthem is "Sons and Daughters of Saint Lucia." The national motto is "The Land, The People, The Light," while the tourism slogan is "Simply beautiful." The coat of arms of Saint Lucia is a key national symbol. The country is named after Saint Lucy, and its demonym is "Saint Lucian" or "Saint Luciaan." The national language is English, with Saint Lucian Creole also in use. The country's cultural identity is deeply rooted in its history as a former British colony and its location in the Caribbean.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
Saint Lucia is identified by the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code LC, alpha-3 code LCA, and numeric code 662. The M49 code is 662. The country's aircraft registration prefix is LCA. The licence plate code is WL, which has been in use since 1932. The mobile country code is 748. The country is listed in the European Union's tax haven blacklist (historically, ending in 2018). The GNS unique feature ID is -1314126. The UNDP country code is STL. The country is also identified by the FIPS 10-4 code ST. The top-level internet domain is .lc. The country's geoshape is defined in Data:Saint Lucia.map.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/st-lucia)
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4. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/northamerica)
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6. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
7. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/ST-LUCIA)
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28. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
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