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Geography of Saint Lucia

Location:Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates:13 53 N, 60 58 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 616 sq km
land: 606 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative:3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:158 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August
Terrain:volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m
Natural resources:forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential
Land use:arable land: 6.45%
permanent crops: 22.58%
other: 70.97% (2005)
Irrigated land:30 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:hurricanes and volcanic activity
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean

Saint Lucia Quickstats

  • Population: 170,649 (July 2007 est.)
  • Area: 616 sq km
  • Density: 298 /km² (41st)
  • GDP (total): $866 million (197th)
  • GDP (per capita): $5,950 (98th)
  • Literacy: 90.1%

Languages of Saint Lucia

Useful to know

  • Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
  • Dial code: +1 758

International Trade

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