Saint Lucia: flag, capital, currency and history

Saint Lucia is a country in Caribbean, the Americas. Its capital is Castries. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. Languages spoken include English.

Quick facts about Saint Lucia

Official name: Saint Lucia
Capital: Castries
Region: Americas, Caribbean
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD, $)
Languages: English
Calling code: +1758
Internet domain: .lc
Area: 616 km² (238 sq mi)
Land borders: None (island or surrounded by water)
Demonym: Saint Lucian
National day: Independence Day, February 22

Flag of Saint Lucia

Download the flag of Saint Lucia as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇱🇨.

SVG (vector)

History of Saint Lucia

Inhabited by Arawak and later Carib (Kalinago) peoples before European contact, Saint Lucia became a contested prize between France and Britain, changing hands many times during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The French made the first lasting settlement in the 1650s and 1660s, and sugar plantations worked by enslaved Africans developed under both powers. Britain gained definitive control in 1814. The island later joined the West Indies Federation, became a self-governing associated state in 1967, and gained full independence in 1979. It is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth.

Key dates

1660The French establish an early settlement on the island, which Britain also claims.
1763The Treaty of Paris confirms French control of Saint Lucia after the Seven Years' War.
1814The Treaty of Paris cedes Saint Lucia permanently to Britain.
1834Slavery is abolished across the British Empire, followed by a period of apprenticeship.
1958Saint Lucia joins the short-lived West Indies Federation.
1967The island becomes a self-governing associated state of the United Kingdom.
1979Saint Lucia gains full independence on 22 February.