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What is the Climate of St. Lucia like?
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The climate on island is tropical with temperatures ranging from 70 - 90 Fahrenheit The climate is kept mild by cooling trade winds making St. Lucia a year round delight. From June to November be prepared for sporadic tropical showers and the drier period is between December and May. Average rainfall is between 160-360cm depending on altitude.
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What language is spoken on the Island of St. Lucia?
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The main language in Saint Lucia is
English although many St. Lucians also speak French
and Spanish. Kwéyòl, St Lucia's second
language, is widely spoken by the St. Lucian people
including all walks of life such as doctors, bankers,
government ministers and the man on the street! Kwéyòl
is not just a patois or broken French, but a language
in its own right, with its own rules of grammar and
syntax. The language is being preserved by its everyday
use in day-to-day affairs and by special radio programmes
and news read entirely in Kwéyòl.
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Where exactly is St. Lucia?
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St Lucia lies at latitude 13 54' north
of the Equator and 60 50' west. One of the Windward
Islands, it is located in the middle of the Eastern
Caribbean chain of islands and is approximately 21 miles
south of Martinique and 90 miles northwest of Barbados.
Castries is the island's capital and is situated North-West
of the island. St Lucia's neighbours are Martinique,
21 miles from our Northern tip and St. Vincent, 26 miles
from our Southern tip. Both are visible on a clear day.
Barbados is 110 miles Southeast.
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What does the country of St. Lucia look like?
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The island is 238 sq. miles (616 sq.
km), 27 miles long, 14 miles wide with a combination
of high mountains, forests, low lying lands and beaches.
A central mountain range runs the length of the island,
with peaks ranging between 1000 and 3145 feet. Forests
dominate the mountains, while jasmine, scarlet chenille
and wild orchids provide splashes of colour to the lush
green slopes. The two towering volcanic cones on the
southwest coast, Gros Piton (797m) and Petit Piton (750m)
are one of the Caribbean's most famous landmarks. The
volcanic origin of the island provides visitors with
an opportunity to visit a "drive-in volcano"
and take a dip in the reputedly therapeutic Sulphur
springs.
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What are the entry requirements to the country?
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Visitors must carry valid passports.
Visas are not required where the visitor is a citizen
of the USA or certain Commonwealth countries (or where
there is agreement for exemption between the home country
and St. Lucia. All visitors will need to present a return
or ongoing ticket.
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How is St. Lucia Governed?
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An independent democratic nation and part of the British Commonwealth.
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What is the population of St. Lucia?
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Currently estimated at 150,000 with
a workforce of about 65,000. Annual population growth
rate is approximately 2%. A population of 50,000 live
in Castries.
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What is the healthcare
situation on St. Lucia?
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Immunization is not required unless coming
from an infected area within six days of arrival, however
Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid are recommended. Drinking
water is safe from the tap and bottled mineral/distilled
water is also available. Most hotels have "over
the counter" medication, such as Aspirin and first
aid facilities. All hotels have doctors either resident
or available on call. A resident doctor's visit costs
approx. US$ 15 (approx. EC$40- EC$50). For a "call-out"
visit it may cost more. Hospitals: In an emergency,
call 911 - there are five medical facilities which are:
Victoria hopstial, St Jude's Vieux Fort, Soufriere,
Dennery, Tapion Hospital.
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Does St. Lucia have any major sea ports?
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The main sea port is Castries and many
cruise ships anchor at Pointe Seraphine and La Place
Carenage. There is an additional deepwater anchorage
for cargo and container ships at Vieux Fort in the south
near the airport.
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Is it possible to get a taxi on the island?
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Taxis are easily available at taxi stands
or by telephone and minibuses can be hired as taxis
for groups. They generally can take up to 10 persons.
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What are the telecommunications facilities like?
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Telephones and Mobile Phones are operated
by Cable & Wireless. Both domestic and international
direct dialing are available in St. Lucia.. The international
dialing code for St. Lucia is 1 758. To call the UK
from St. Lucia dial 011 44 plus number. To call USA
dial 1 plus number.
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What is the time difference?
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St. Lucia is 4 Hours behind Greenwich
Mean Time.
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What are the shopping facilities like?
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Local shops are generally open weekdays
8.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.00pm and on Saturday
8.00am to noon. There are a wide variety of shopping
experiences from Castries market, where local crafts
are available, to Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage,
two duty free shopping centers in Castries where resort
wear, Colombian Emeralds jewelery, cosmetics and perfumes
are available.
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