St. Lucia

Geography:

Location:
- Independent island state, one of the Windward Islands, West Indies, aouth-eastern Caribbean Sea, between Martinique on the north and Saint Vincent on the south.
Area:
- Total: 616 sq km
- Water: 10 sq km
- Land: 606 sq km
- Coastline: 158 km
Maritime Claims:
- 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
Natural Resources:
- Forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential

People:

Population:162,157 (July 2003 est.)
Nationality:
- noun: Saint Lucian(s)
- adjective: Saint Lucian
Ethnic groups: black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 3%, other Protestant 7%
Languages: English (official), French patois

Government:

Country name:
- conventional short form: Saint Lucia
Government type: Westminster-style parliamentary democracy
Capital: Castries
Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Economy:

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2001 est.)
Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing
Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa
Exports: $68.3 million (2000 est.)
Exports - commodities: bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil
Imports: $319.4 million (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities: food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels
Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

National Policy:

Marine Affairs Policy

International Marine Affairs: The Government of St. Lucia has participated in the ratification of UN Convention of the Law of the Sea in 1985; has had representation at the World Fisheries Conference in 1984 and is actively represented at the World Whaling Commission. It signed the Action Plan for the Caribbean prepared by UNEP.

National Marine Affairs: A 5 year Fisheries Development Plan (1984-1989) was signed to promote the grow of the fishing industry of St. Lucia by the reduction of the cost of producing fish and the increase of annual yield of fish and fish products by creating better market conditions. The protection of certain gradually declining marine species populations such as turtles, conch,sea urchins ...etc., has promoted the imposition of closed seasons for these fisheries (St .Lucia, A Marine Science Country Profile, IOC).

Marine Science & Research Policy
Coastal Area Policy
Environment Policy

There is growing concern about environmental quality in St. Lucia. Advocacy of environmentally sound policies is common among government ministries responsible for the promotion of environmental issues. These are complemented by parastatal organizations having sectoral responsibilities, also an array of international and regional agencies, multi-national and local companies, plus especial interest groups (St. Lucia, A Marine Science Country Profile, IOC).

Institutional Structure:

Fisheries Management Unit (FMU) Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and Co-operatives

Manoel Street, Castries, St. Lucia

Telephone: (1-809) 452-3987

Cable: FISH MANAGEMENT

Telefax/facsimile: (1-809) 453-6314

Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and Forestry

Sans Souci, Castries, St.Lucia

Telephone: 7584526172

Fax: 7584523853

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI)

Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

Morne Fortune, P.O.Box 1111. Castries, St Lucia

Telephone: (1-809) 452-1412/2501

Cable: CARENHI ST. LUCIA

Telex: 6248 OECAS for CEHI

Telefax/facsimile: (1-809) 452-5313

Sir Arthur Lewis Community College Ministry of Education

P.O. Box 709 Castries, St. Lucia

Telephone: 7584518746

Fax: 7584522506

Government Ministries

Prime Minister's Office

Government Buildings

Castries, Saint Lucia, WI

Tel: 758 452 2611 Fax: 758 453 7352

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Government Buildings

Castries, Saint Lucia, WI

Tel: 758 452 1178 Fax: 758 452 7427

Ministry of Finance and Planning

Government Building

Castries, Saint Lucia, WI

Tel: 758 452 5315 Fax: 758 452 2506 Finance

Tel: 758 452 4266 Fax : 758 452 2506 Planning

Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Consumer Affairs

Government Building

Castries, Saint Lucia, WI

Tel: 758 452 2627 Fax: 758 453 7347

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport

Micoud Street

Castries, Saint Lucia, WI

Tel: 758 453 2647 Fax: 758 453 2299

Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Environment

Manoel Street

Castries, Saint Lucia, WI

Tel: 758 452 2526 Fax : 758 453 6314

Ministry of Communications, Works and Transport

Micoud Street

Castries, Saint Lucia, WI

Tel: 758 452 2429 Fax: 758 453 2769

Ministry of Personnel, Establishment and Training

P O Box 709

Government Building