Basically British, though 25 miles south of Martinique and flavored with French Creole influence, St. Lucia is simply beautiful. The island's mountainous terrain offers dazzling views from land and sea.

In the area near Hewanorra, the main airport, the profile of St. Lucia's distinctive twin mountain peaks Les Pitons is a favorite subject for travel photographers. There are luxury resorts snuggled in their foothills. Seas in the surrounding area are frequented by divers, all of whom appreciate the carefully maintained marine park environment.

A few hours by car and far less by boat, Castries, the capital (with a smaller airport, Vigie) is commercial by nature. But minutes from town in every direction, tourism takes on a vibrant life in a long chain of resorts, restaurants and marinas that wind the length of white sand beaches. Sports of all kinds can be enjoyed here in volume. Crafts and duty free shopping get lots of attention, too.

Visit Mt. Soufriere, dormant crater of a volcano with naturally heated sulfur baths. It's the world's only drive-in volcano. Or opt for something cooler in the refreshing mineral springs at Diamond Falls. There's charm in the colonial towns and quaint fishing villages and the rain forests are rich with massive ferns and abundant with orchids. Fort Rodney at Pigeon Point offers an interesting walk through British history. And a Friday night visit to the weekly street fair at Gros Islet where St. Lucians and tourists go to party is high on the agenda for food, drink, music and general revelry.

History:

The Arawaks were the first people to pass through St. Lucia followed shortly by the Caribs. For more than a century and a half between 1659 and 1814 St. Lucia changed hands between Britain and France fourteen times, and finally ceded to Britain. St. Lucia remained a British Colony until February 22nd 1979 when the island gained its independence. In May 1979 St. Lucia joined The Organization Of American States (OAS) and in September of that same year the island was admitted into the United Nations as the 142nd member.