Population is about 140,000 Independence 1979 Land: 616 sq km : Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort, Soufriere Bay Natural Harbor: Castries Agricultural island—tropical commodity crops Natural Resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential Use of land: arable land & permanent Crops = 30% Economy Tourism Main Source of foreign exchange Unemployment high Medium of exchange: East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rate: $1 USD = $2.7169 ECD (as of 10/4/2010) Mains water: chlorinated- may cause mild abdominal upsets (bottled water advised for first few weeks of stay) Weather Patterns St. Lucia is on the Atlantic hurricane belt. Hurricane season runs from June to November High tourist season runs from Mid-December to Mid- April Tourism can peak outside of high season for various holidays (e.g. Thanksgiving) Products Imported: 2008 85% from Brazil 5-7% from US 3-5% other Caribbean Countries Islands of Opportunity Caribbean Region 3rd Largest Market for US Exports Caribbean Basin initiative—trade programs to facilitate economic development and export diversification Caribbean Community (CARICOM)- deep regional integration through harmonized tariffs and duty free trade Assistance Maria Elena Portorreal Senior Commercial Specialist Phone: 809-227-2121 ext. 225
Population is about 140,000 Independence 1979 Land: 616 sq km : Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort, Soufriere Bay Natural Harbor: Castries Agricultural island—tropical commodity crops Natural Resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential Use of land: arable land & permanent Crops = 30% Economy Tourism Main Source of foreign exchange Unemployment high Medium of exchange: East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rate: $1 USD = $2.7169 ECD (as of 10/4/2010) Mains water: chlorinated- may cause mild abdominal upsets (bottled water advised for first few weeks of stay) Weather Patterns St. Lucia is on the Atlantic hurricane belt. Hurricane season runs from June to November High tourist season runs from Mid-December to Mid- April Tourism can peak outside of high season for various holidays (e.g. Thanksgiving) Products Imported: 2008 85% from Brazil 5-7% from US 3-5% other Caribbean Countries Islands of Opportunity Caribbean Region 3rd Largest Market for US Exports Caribbean Basin initiative—trade programs to facilitate economic development and export diversification Caribbean Community (CARICOM)- deep regional integration through harmonized tariffs and duty free trade Assistance Maria Elena Portorreal Senior Commercial Specialist Phone: 809-227-2121 ext. 225
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