Geography of Saint Lucia

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Map of Saint Lucia
Enlargeable, detailed map of Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is one of many small land masses composing the insular group known as the Windward Islands.<ref name=":02">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> Unlike large limestone areas such as Florida, Cuba, and the Yucatan Peninsula, or the Bahamas, which is a small island group composed of coral and sand, Saint Lucia is a typical Windward Island formation of volcanic rock that came into existence long after much of the region had already been formed.<ref name=":02" />

Saint Lucia's physical features are notable.<ref name=":02" /> Dominated by high peaks and rain forests in the interior, the Template:Convert island is known for the twin peaks of Gros Piton (Template:Coord) and Petit Piton (Template:Coord) on the southwestern coast, its soft sandy beaches, and its magnificent natural harbours.<ref name=":02" /> Mount Gimie, the highest peak, is located in the central mountain range and rises to Template:Convert above sea level, a contrast that is also evident in the abrupt climatic transition from coastal to inland areas.<ref name=":02" /> The steep terrain also accentuates the many rivers that flow from central Saint Lucia to the Caribbean.<ref name=":02" /> Fertile land holdings, which support banana farming, are scattered throughout the island.<ref name=":02" />

Saint Lucia has a tropical, humid climate moderated by northeast trade winds that allow for pleasant year-round conditions.<ref name=":02" /> Mean annual temperatures range from Template:Convert to Template:Convert at sea level and drop to an average of Template:Convert in the mountain peaks.<ref name=":02" /> The abundant annual rainfall accumulates to approximately Template:Convert, with most precipitation occurring during the June to December wet season.<ref name=":02" /> Hurricanes are the most severe climatic disturbance in this area and have been known to cause extensive damage.<ref name=":02" /> Although Saint Lucia has historically been spared from serious hurricane destruction, Hurricane Allen decimated the agricultural sector and claimed nine lives in 1980.<ref name=":02" /> More recently, in 2010, Hurricane Tomas claimed seven lives and also caused extensive agricultural damage, particularly to the island's burgeoning cocoa crop.

General

Saint Lucia is in the Caribbean, an island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Saint Vincent and north-west of Barbados. The capital city of Saint Lucia is Castries, where about one third of the population lives. Major towns include Gros Islet, Soufrière and Vieux Fort.

Measurements

Maritime claims

Climate

Saint Lucia is in the tropical zone, although its climate is moderated by northeast trade winds. Since it is fairly close to the equator, and the surrounding sea surface temperature only fluctuates 3°C (25-28°C) the coastal air temperature does not fluctuate much between winter and summer. The dry season is from December to June, and the rainy season is from June to November. Average daytime temperatures are around Template:Convert, and average night time temperatures are around Template:Convert. Average annual rainfall ranges from Template:Convert on the coast to Template:Convert in the mountain rainforests. Template:Weather box

Terrain

Volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys.

Extreme points

Natural resources

Saint Lucia has forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, and a geothermal potential.<ref name=CIA />

Land use

About 18% of the land is used for agricultural practices. Most farms consist of less than 5 acres of land. The main agricultural products grown in Saint Lucia are bananas, coconuts, cocoa beans, mangoes, avocados, vegetables, citrus fruits, and root crops such as yams and sweet potatoes. Most of these agricultural products are grown for local consumption, but bananas and coconuts are mainly grown for export, with some vegetables. Bananas occupy about 14,826 acres of the agricultural land, while coconuts occupy 12,400 acres.

Saint Lucia Land Usage as of 2018<ref name=CIA>Template:Cite web</ref>
Type Percent Area
Total Agricultural Land 17.4 Template:Cvt
- arable land 4.9 Template:Cvt
- permanent crops 11.5 Template:Cvt
- permanent pasture 1.0 Template:Cvt
- irrigated land 2 Template:Convert
(2012 est.)
Forests and woodland 77.0 Template:Cvt
Other 5.6 Template:Cvt

Forest reserves and botanical gardens in Saint Lucia:

Diamond Falls at Diamond Botanical Gardens

Islands

Template:Main The island of the island nation of Saint Lucia include the following:<ref name="Islands">Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Div col

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Districts

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Districts of Saint Lucia and the forest reserve

The island of Saint Lucia is divided into 10 Districts and the Forest Reserve:

  1. Anse la Raye, Leeward Caribbean Sea
  2. Canaries, Leeward Caribbean Sea
  3. Castries, Leeward Caribbean Sea
  4. Choiseul, Leeward Caribbean Sea
  5. Dennery, Windward Atlantic Ocean
  6. Grand Bois Forest Reserve, Internal (entrance at Template:Coord)
  7. Gros Islet, Leeward Caribbean Sea, Windward Atlantic Ocean
  8. Laborie, Leeward Caribbean Sea
  9. Micoud, Windward Atlantic Ocean
  10. Soufrière, Leeward Caribbean Sea
  11. Vieux Fort, Windward Atlantic Ocean, Leeward Caribbean Sea

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Natural hazards

The island country of Saint Lucia is effected by hurricanes and volcanic activity. The island was severely affected by Hurricane Allen in 1980 and Hurricane Tomas in 2010, causing agricultural damage and a drop in visitor arrivals, but Saint Lucia has generally had fewer hurricanes than many other Caribbean islands, due to its southerly location. Hurricanes and volcanoes would both damage the coral.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Environment

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Sulphur Springs, Template:Coord

Current issues include deforestation and soil erosion, particularly in the northern region.

Saint Lucia is party to the following treaties and conventions:

See also

References

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