CASTRIES

chief town of Saint Lucia island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, lying 40 miles (65 km) south of Fort-de-France, Martinique. Its fine landlocked deepwater harbour on the northwestern coast is Saint Lucia's chief port, shipping mainly bananas but also exporting sugarcane, rum, molasses, cacao, coconuts, copra, limes and lime juice, essential oils, bay rum, and various tropical fruits and vegetables. A fortress on Mount Fortune (852 feet ) overlooks the town. There is a botanical station, and Vigie Beach and an airport are nearby. Pop. (1992 est.) 53,882.