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NAVIGATION
Saint Lucia
INTRODUCTION
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Background:
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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. |
GEOGRAPHY
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Location:
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Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago |
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Geographic coordinates:
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13 53 N, 60 68 W |
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Map references:
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Central America and the Caribbean |
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Area:
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total: 616 sq km
water: 10 sq km land: 606 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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3.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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158 km |
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Maritime claims:
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contiguous zone: 24 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin |
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Climate:
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tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August |
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Terrain:
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volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m |
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Natural resources:
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forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential |
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Land use:
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arable land: 4.92%
permanent crops: 22.95% other: 72.13% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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30 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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hurricanes and volcanic activity |
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Environment - current issues:
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deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol |
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Geography - note:
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the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean |
PEOPLE
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Population:
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162,157 (July 2003 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 31.1% (male 25,883; female 24,569)
15-64 years: 63.7% (male 50,711; female 52,508) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 3,147; female 5,339) (2003 est.) |
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Median age:
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total: 24.1 years
male: 23.3 years female: 24.9 years (2002) |
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Population growth rate:
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1.25% (2003 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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20.93 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Death rate:
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5.24 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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-3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 14.37 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 15.51 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 73.08 years
male: 69.52 years female: 76.9 years (2003 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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2.29 children born/woman (2003 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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NA% |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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NA |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA |
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Nationality:
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noun: Saint Lucian(s)
adjective: Saint Lucian |
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Ethnic groups:
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black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1% |
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Religions:
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Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 3%, other Protestant 7% |
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Languages:
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English (official), French patois |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 67% male: 65% female: 69% (1980 est.) |