Saint Lucia

Overview

When approaching the island, the visitor cannot fail to miss the twin peaks of the Pitons and Mount Gimie the island's tallest mountain. The island is not remarkably large but nonetheless has a super array of distractions. The aforementioned mountains are situated in dense jungles whose denizens include a host of exotic specimens as well as bird and plant life. There is, in addition to the mountains, the Soufrière volcano whose crater is the only one which can be driven into. There remains some of the geological activity that created the area in the form of bubbling sulphur pools.

At the other end of the physical, natural world are the coral reefs which are being well preserved and are home to a great deal of tropical marine life. These can be seen by diving, one of many water sports easily available. If land activities are preferable, there are horse tours, a stroll though Cactus Valley or an exploration of Pigeon island and its fort. The capital, Castries, is protected by a colonial war fortress and is the site for the La Toc Battery, cathedral and markets. Some of the smaller villages allow an insight into the fishing techniques the local use from their canoes. Additional opportunities include a petroglyph site, turtle watching and of course, the Caribbean mainstay, resting on a beach

History

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.