St Lucia
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! Capital: | ! Capital: | ||
| - | | | + | | Castries |
|- | |- | ||
! Language: | ! Language: | ||
| - | | | + | | English (official), French patois |
|- | |- | ||
! Currency: | ! Currency: | ||
| - | | | + | | East Caribbean dollar (ECD) |
|- | |- | ||
| + | ! Time Zone | ||
| + | | UTC-4 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| colspan="2" style="font-size: 2" | More notes about the country | | colspan="2" style="font-size: 2" | More notes about the country | ||
|} | |} | ||
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===Background=== | ===Background=== | ||
| - | + | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Lucia Saint Lucia] is part of the Lesser Antilles and is an independent country and a member of the British Commonwealth. The island population is [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/st.html 160,145] and an area of 620 km2. The island was originally populated by Carib Indians. | |
| - | + | The Europeans first arrived in [http://www.geographia.com/st-lucia/lchis01.htm 1550s] led by the notorious buccaneer Francois le Clerc, a.k.a. Jambe de Bois, or Wooden Leg. Peg-Leg le Clerc set up a fine little base on Pigeon Island, from whence he issued forth to prey upon unwitting and treasure-laden Spanish galleons. The island is named for the Roman Catholic Saint Lucy of Syracuse. Around 1600, the Dutch arrived, establishing a fortified base at Vieux Fort. Then the English colonists arrived in the 1600s. The French also settled in Soufrière in 1746. The British and the French contested the island 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. Despite this long English rule, the island's French cultural legacy is still evident in its Creole dialect. | |
| + | |||
| + | The island is steep with very lush tropical vegetation. The scenery, especially near Soufrière is dominated by the dramatic presence of the twin peaks: Gros Piton and Petit Piton, 615 m (2019 ft.) and 750 m (2461 ft.) tall. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Despite the dramatic beauty of the island and its many attractive anchorages, I found our stay rather unpleasant. We were continuously harassed by an endless procession of money hungry young men. | ||
===Climate & Weather=== | ===Climate & Weather=== | ||
| - | + | The climate is tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August. | |
| - | Sources of weather forecasting | + | Sources of weather forecasting: |
| - | * | + | * [http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/marine/weather?03&LANG=en&WIND=g196 Weather on Line] Detail 7 day forecast charts for the Atlantic. |
| - | * | + | * [http://www.windguru.com/int/ Wind GURU] A surfer's site with worldwide wind forecasts. |
| + | * [http://www.franksingleton.clara.net/navtex_2.html#emed Navtex Broadcasts] List of all the Navtex broadcast times and frequencies (not kept up to date). | ||
===Charts=== | ===Charts=== | ||
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===External Links=== | ===External Links=== | ||
| - | + | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Lucia St. Lucia] (Wikipedia) | |
| - | * | + | * [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/st.html St. Lucia] (CIA World Factbook) |
| - | * | + | * [http://www.geographia.com/st-lucia/lchis01.htm St. Lucia Official Guide] |
| - | * | + | |
===Personal Notes=== | ===Personal Notes=== | ||
Revision as of 15:29, 15 April 2008
ST LUCIA CRUISING GUIDE
| Saint Lucia | |
 Saint Lucia | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Castries |
|---|---|
| Language: | English (official), French patois |
| Currency: | East Caribbean dollar (ECD) |
| Time Zone | UTC-4 |
| More notes about the country | |
Click for larger view
Background
Saint Lucia is part of the Lesser Antilles and is an independent country and a member of the British Commonwealth. The island population is 160,145 and an area of 620 km2. The island was originally populated by Carib Indians.
The Europeans first arrived in 1550s led by the notorious buccaneer Francois le Clerc, a.k.a. Jambe de Bois, or Wooden Leg. Peg-Leg le Clerc set up a fine little base on Pigeon Island, from whence he issued forth to prey upon unwitting and treasure-laden Spanish galleons. The island is named for the Roman Catholic Saint Lucy of Syracuse. Around 1600, the Dutch arrived, establishing a fortified base at Vieux Fort. Then the English colonists arrived in the 1600s. The French also settled in Soufrière in 1746. The British and the French contested the island 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. Despite this long English rule, the island's French cultural legacy is still evident in its Creole dialect.
The island is steep with very lush tropical vegetation. The scenery, especially near Soufrière is dominated by the dramatic presence of the twin peaks: Gros Piton and Petit Piton, 615 m (2019 ft.) and 750 m (2461 ft.) tall.
Despite the dramatic beauty of the island and its many attractive anchorages, I found our stay rather unpleasant. We were continuously harassed by an endless procession of money hungry young men.
Climate & Weather
The climate is tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August.
Sources of weather forecasting:
- Weather on Line Detail 7 day forecast charts for the Atlantic.
- Wind GURU A surfer's site with worldwide wind forecasts.
- Navtex Broadcasts List of all the Navtex broadcast times and frequencies (not kept up to date).
Charts
Submit details of the charts required for safe navigation of the area.
Any navigation notes here.
Local Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.
Arrival/Departure procedures
Submit any details about advance notification of arrival, etc.
Immigration, Visas & Customs
Submit details about customs and immigration procedures here.
Immigration
Details?
Customs
Details?
Ports & Popular Stops
- Castries (Port of entry)
- Marigot Bay (Port of entry)
- Soufriere (Port of entry)
- Rodney Bay (Port of entry)
- Vieux Fort (Port of entry)
Offshore Islands
Details?
Health & Security
Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc.
Links to CruiserLog Forum discussions
Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum
External Links
- St. Lucia (Wikipedia)
- St. Lucia (CIA World Factbook)
- St. Lucia Official Guide
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
.
