St Lucia is a beautiful volcanic island with lush rainforests, undulating agricultural land and unspoilt beaches. It is also one of the world’s breeziest places, where the trade winds blow in from the sea to the southern shore.

Before the visitor influx, banana exports sustained St Lucia, especially after 1964 when it stopped producing sugar cane. Realising the island’s potential as a tourist destination, the government is now focusing its efforts on further diversification, principally directed towards the creation of a service sector based on tourism and financial services.

There is indeed a lot on offer on the island: St Lucia has excellent beaches, mountain scenery, the Qualibou Volcano and its boiling sulphur springs, orchids and exotic plants, and tropical flower-lined roadsides. There is still considerable British and French influence felt on the island. Fierce resistance from the indigenous Carib Indians kept British and French colonists away from the island for 50 years. Then, between the signing of a peace treaty with the French in 1660 and the British takeover of the island in 1814, ownership changed no fewer than 14 times. The British maintained control until 1979, when St Lucia was granted independence. The French influence lives on in the patois spoken in the country.

Add the people’s friendliness and hospitability, and any visitor to St Lucia will be able to relax and enjoy the islanders’ leisurely lifestyle.

616.3 sq km (238 sq miles).

152,000 (UN estimate 2005).

246.6 per sq km.

Castries. Population: 67,000 (official estimate 2004).

Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1979.

English and local French patois.

78% Roman Catholic; also Anglican, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist and Baptist.

GMT - 4.

Some French influences still remain alongside the West Indian style of life. The people are friendly and hospitable, and encourage visitors to relax and enjoy their leisurely lifestyle. The madras and foulards are not often seen in towns, but are sometimes worn at festivals such as the Feast of St Rose of Lima in August. Casual wear is acceptable, although some hotels and restaurants encourage guests to dress for dinner. Beachwear should not be worn in towns. It is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing. Certain homosexual acts are illegal.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Sir John Compton since 2006.

Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor General Calliopa Pearlette Louisy since 1997.