Island nation, Windward Islands , eastern Caribbean Sea.
Area: 238 sq mi (616 sq km). Population (1997 est.): 148,000. Capital: Castries . Most of the population is of African descent. Languages: English (official), French patois. Religions: Roman Catholicism, Protestantism. Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar. Saint Lucia is of volcanic origin, and its Qualibou volcano, which continues to emit steam and gases, is a prime tourist attraction. Wooded mountains run north-south, culminating in Mount Gimie (3,117 ft [950 m]). Saint Lucia is a constitutional monarchy with a parliament of two legislative houses; its chief of state is the British monarch represented by the governor-general, and the head of government is the prime minister. Carib s replaced early Arawak inhabitants с AD 800–1300. Settled by the French in 1650, it was ceded to Great Britain in 1814 and became one of the Windward Islands in 1871. It became fully independent in 1979. The economy is based on agriculture and tourism.