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Also known as: |
The Island of
365 Beaches. (Root: Waladli and Wa'onomi (Amerindian))
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Motto: |
The Land, The People, The
Light
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Location: |
One of the Windward Islands between
Martinique (39.9 km (21 miles) to the north) and
St. Vincent (49.4 km (26 miles) to the south).
It is 209 km (110 miles) northwest of Barbados.
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History: |
Amerindians were the first
inhabitants.. French colonisation began in 1650
and the struggle for possession between the
French and English ended in 1803 with the island
becoming an English colony. It gained
independence in 1979
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Elections: |
The last election
was held in Nov 2011. Next
elections due in 2016
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Ruling Party: |
Saint
Lucia Labour Party
(SLP)
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Major Political Parties: |
United Workers Party (UWP), Saint
Lucia Labour Party (SLP), National Alliance,
Saint. Lucia Freedom
Party
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Head of State:
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H.E. Dame Perlette Louisy, Governor-General
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Airport: |
Hewanorra International (Vieux
Fort) & George F. L. Charles International(Vigie)
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Status: |
Independence - 22 February
1979
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Capital: |
Castries
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National Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January); New
Year's holiday (02 January); Independence
Day (22 February); Good Friday; Easter Monday; Labour Day (01 May); Whit Monday; Corpus
Christi; Carnival Monday (third Monday in July);
Emancipation Day (01 August); Thanksgiving Day
(First Monday in October); National Day (13
December); Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing
Day (26 December)
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Highest National Award:
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Grand Cross of St.
Lucia
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Favourite dish: |
Green Fig and Salt
Fish
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CARICOM Membership: |
1 May 1974
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Web Page: |
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