Geography

• Full name: Saint Lucia
• Location: 13 53 N, 60 68 W
• Capital: Castries
• Area: 619 sq. km. (238 sq. mi.).
• Cities: Capital--Castries (pop. est. 67,000); Micoud; Gros-Islet; Vieux Fort; Soufriere.
• Terrain: Mountainous.
• Climate: Tropical.

People

• Nationality: Noun and adjective--St. Lucian(s).
• Population (2008): 170,000.
• Annual growth rate (2006): 0.74%.
• Ethnic groups: African descent 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, European 1%.
• Religions: Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, various Protestant denominations.
• Languages: English (official); a French patois is common throughout the country.
• Education (2004): Adult literacy--94.8%.
• Health (2006): Infant mortality rate--12/1,000. Life expectancy--men 73 years; women 76 years.
• Unemployment (2006): 15.7%.

Government

• Type: Westminster-style parliamentary democracy.
• Independence: February 22, 1979.
• Constitution: 1979.
• Branches: Executive--governor general (representing Queen Elizabeth II, head of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative--bicameral parliament. Judicial--district courts, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (High Court and Court of Appeals), final appeal to Privy Council in London.
• Administrative subdivisions: 11 parishes.
• Political parties: United Workers Party (incumbent); St. Lucia Labour Party.
• Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy

• GDP (2008): $987 million.
• GDP growth rate (2008): 0.7%.
• GDP growth rate (1998-2008): 2.0%
• Per capita GDP (2008): $5,806.
• Inflation of consumer prices (2008): 7.2%.
• Natural resources: Forests, minerals (pumice), mineral springs.
• Agriculture: Bananas, cocoa, coconut, citrus fruits, and livestock.
• Manufacturing: Garments, electronic components, beverages, corrugated boxes.
• Services: Tourism and offshore banking.
• Trade (2005): Exports--$64 million (merchandise) and $389 million (commercial services). Major markets--European Union (28.2%), Trinidad and Tobago (22.5%), United States (14.0%), Barbados (10.1%), and Grenada (5.2%). Imports--$475 million (merchandise) and $159 million (commercial services). Major suppliers--United States (43.9%), Trinidad and Tobago (14.2%), European Union (14.2%), Japan (4.6%), and Barbados (3.0%).
• Monetary unit: 1 East Caribbean dollar = 100 cents
• Official exchange rate: EC$2.70 = U.S. $1.

Principal Government Officials

• Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II
• Governor General: Pearlette Louisy
• Prime Minister: Stephenson King

Description of electoral system

• Election Type: Parliamentary
• Parliament name: House of Representatives
• Structure of parliament: Bicameral
• Constituencies: 17 single member constituencies
• Voting system: Majority: Simple majority vote (first past the post).
• Last Parliamentary election: 11 December 2006

Main parties in the electoral race

• Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP)
• United Workers Party (UWP)

Sources:

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1210491.stm
• http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/north-central-america/st-lucia?profile=all
• http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2344.htm