Geography of Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia's physical features are notable. Dominated by high peaks and rain forests in the interior, the 616-square-kilometer (238-square-mile) island is known for the twin peaks of Gros Piton (13°48′36″N 61°04′03″W / 13.81013°N 61.06753°W) and Petit Piton (13°49′59″N 61°03′49″W / 13.83308°N 61.0635°W) on the southwestern coast, its soft sandy beaches, and its magnificent natural harbours. Mount Gimie, the highest peak, is located in the central mountain range and rises to 958 meters (3,143 ft) above sea level, a contrast that is also evident in the abrupt climatic transition from coastal to inland areas. The steep terrain also accentuates the many rivers that flow from central Saint Lucia to the Caribbean. Fertile land holdings, which support banana farming, are scattered throughout the island.

Saint Lucia has a tropical, humid climate moderated by northeast trade winds that allow for pleasant year-round conditions. Mean annual temperatures range from 26 °C (78.8 °F) to 32 °C (89.6 °F) at sea level and drop to an average of 13 °C (55.4 °F) in the mountain peaks. The abundant annual rainfall accumulates to approximately 2,000 millimeters (78.7 in), with most precipitation occurring during the June to December wet season. Hurricanes are the most severe climatic disturbance in this area and have been known to cause extensive damage. Although Saint Lucia has historically been spared from serious hurricane destruction, Hurricane Allen decimated the agricultural sector and claimed nine lives in 1980. 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

total area: 616 km² (238 sq mi)
length: 43.5 km (27.0 mi)
width: 22.5 km (14.0 mi)
comparative area: The same as Toronto or 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Coastline: 158 km (98 mi)

Maritime claims

200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)
contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles (44.4 km; 27.6 mi)
exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)
territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)

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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 30 °C (86.0 °F), and average night time temperatures are around 24 °C (75.2 °F). Average annual rainfall ranges from 1,300 mm (51.2 in) on the coast to 3,810 mm (150 in) in the mountain rainforests.

Terrain

Volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys.

Extreme points

Northernmost point: Pointe du Cap, Gros Islet Quarter, 14°06′37″N 60°56′41″W / 14.11031°N 60.94472°W
Southernmost point: Ministre Point, Vieux Fort Quarter, 13°42′29″N 60°56′50″W / 13.70817°N 60.94715°W
Westernmost point: Grande Caille Point, Soufrière Quarter, 13°51′48″N 61°04′45″W / 13.8634°N 61.07927°W
Easternmost point: Louvet Point, Gros Islet Quarter, 13°58′29″N 60°52′25″W / 13.97474°N 60.87374°W

lowest point: Caribbean Sea Sea level
highest point: Mount Gimie elevation: 950 m (3,120 ft), 13°51′48″N 61°00′40″W / 13.86327°N 61.01122°W

Natural resources

Saint Lucia has forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, and a geothermal potential.

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.

Forest reserves and botanical gardens in Saint Lucia:

Castries Waterworks Forest Reserve, 13°58′38″N 60°55′16″W / 13.97717°N 60.92106°W

Dennery Waterworks Forest Reserve, 13°53′30″N 60°55′05″W / 13.89179°N 60.91804°W
Edmond Forest Nature Reserve, 13°50′23″N 60°59′58″W / 13.83973°N 60.99941°W
Frigate Island Nature Reserve, 13°52′46″N 60°53′01″W / 13.8794°N 60.88366°W
Grand Bois Forest Reserve
Maria Island Nature Reserve, 13°43′33″N 60°55′51″W / 13.72588°N 60.93094°W
Quilesse Forest Reserve, 13°50′41″N 60°58′28″W / 13.84467°N 60.97431°W
Savannes Bay Nature Reserve, 13°45′47″N 60°55′25″W / 13.76317°N 60.92373°W
St. Lucia Botanical Gardens (also known as Diamond Botanical Gardens, part of the Soufrière Estate)

Islands

The island of the island nation of Saint Lucia include the following:

Burgot Rocks, 14°05′55″N 60°57′42″W / 14.09857°N 60.96164°W
Dennery Island, 13°54′32″N 60°53′03″W / 13.90886°N 60.88425°W
Des Bateaux Island, 13°55′01″N 60°52′44″W / 13.91686°N 60.87902°W
Fourreur Island, 14°04′16″N 60°58′42″W / 14.07098°N 60.9784°W
Fous Island, 14°04′55″N 60°54′23″W / 14.08206°N 60.90643°W
Frigate Island, 13°52′46″N 60°53′00″W / 13.8794°N 60.88325°W
L'Islet a Ramier, 13°57′35″N 60°52′30″W / 13.95978°N 60.87508°W
Laplins Island, 14°04′17″N 60°54′29″W / 14.07137°N 60.90802°W
Liverpool Rocks, 13°48′33″N 60°53′36″W / 13.80904°N 60.89321°W
Maria Islands, 13°43′33″N 60°55′52″W / 13.72589°N 60.93098°W
Pigeon Island, 14°05′34″N 60°57′53″W / 14.09286°N 60.96476°W
Praslin Island, 13°52′31″N 60°53′23″W / 13.87519°N 60.8897°W
Rat Island, 14°02′01″N 60°58′54″W / 14.03372°N 60.98155°W
Rouche Island (also called Barrel O'Beef), 13°57′12″N 60°52′28″W / 13.95324°N 60.87433°W
Scorpion Island, 13°45′56″N 60°55′22″W / 13.76542°N 60.92271°W

Districts

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

Anse la Raye, Leeward Caribbean Sea
Canaries, Leeward Caribbean Sea
Castries, Leeward Caribbean Sea
Choiseul, Leeward Caribbean Sea
Dennery, Windward Atlantic Ocean
Grand Bois Forest Reserve, Internal (entrance at 13°55′31″N 61°00′33″W / 13.92541°N 61.0093°W)
Gros Islet, Leeward Caribbean Sea, Windward Atlantic Ocean
Laborie, Leeward Caribbean Sea
Micoud, Windward Atlantic Ocean
Soufrière, Leeward Caribbean Sea
Vieux Fort, Windward Atlantic Ocean, Leeward Caribbean Sea

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.

Environment

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

Saint Lucia is party to the following treaties and conventions: