Located in the Caribbean, Saint Lucia is an island of spectacular beauty and captivating contrasts. From the twin spires of its Pitons to the lush landscapes of the capital city of Castries, this extraordinary destination is a place where nature and culture coexist.
St Lucia’s culture reflects its ties to the French and British who founded its colony in the seventeenth century. A majority of its citizens identify as Christian and the national language is English.
The island’s cuisine features a number of savory and sweet dishes that are sure to please the taste buds. Some of the most common savory foods include roti, plantains, and callaloo soup (a coconut milk-based stew packed with spinach).
Another dish is the rum cake, which is typically made from bread dough that’s filled with coconut and spices. It’s a delicious treat that’s served at all types of parties, especially weddings and birthdays.
Some Saint Lucians also love to eat paime, which is a cornmeal-based dessert that’s often served in celebrations or at family gatherings. It’s usually made with coconut, raisins, and spices.
Saint Lucia’s economy relies largely on its banana production. However, the economic downturn has negatively impacted the economy of this island nation.
Bananas are the biggest export, followed by tourism. The island also produces some of the best rum on the Caribbean.
The population of this island nation is comprised of a variety of ethnic groups. Most people are of African descent and many have a heritage of Carib Indians.
In addition to these ethnic groups, some of the country’s residents are also a mix of European and Creole immigrants from other parts of the Caribbean. This creates a cultural and social mix that’s often hard to define, but is unique in the region.
A majority of the people living in this island nation are Catholics, but there are also a number of Protestants and Rastafarians. While these religions have not been a part of the culture for long, their presence is growing.
Throughout the history of this island nation, its owners have swapped hands a dozen times. It was initially ruled by the Dutch, who established their settlement in Vieux Port in the early 1600s. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it was held by the British and the French, which had bases in Martinique and Barbados.
While the island was in the midst of colonial rule, slavery was still a part of the local economy. Slaves were brought from Africa and had to serve a four-year apprenticeship before they were freed.
Although slavery was banned in 1807, it was not abolished until 1834. Until that time, slavery was a major source of wealth for the island’s economy.
The island’s food is influenced by its people and the environment, with a heavy dose of African influence in the cuisine. This is particularly noticeable in the savory dishes, such as callaloo soup, which contains fresh spinach and other vegetables that are sourced locally.