According to the Treaty of Chaguaramas, of the Caribbean Community shall be open to any other State or Territory of the Caribbean Region that is, in the opinion of The Conference, able and willing to exercise the rights and assume the obligations of.
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Saint Lucia
Ezbai Charis Francis
Date of Membership in CARICOM: 1 May 1974 - Learn more about membership in CARICOM
Also Known as:Helen of the West
Status of Independence:Independent 1979/02/22
Area: 616 sq km; 238Mi
Capital City: Castries
Population: 172,034 (2009)
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$)
Highest National Award: Grand Cross of St. Lucia
GDP Growth: -0.2% p.a. 2009–13
GNI: US$1.3bn
GNI PC: US$7,090
1520 Vatican Globe marks island as ‘ Santa Lucia’ suggesting claim by Spain. Amerindians first called
Island ‘louanalao’ (where iguana is found) then ‘Hiwanarau’ and later ‘Hewanoora’
1639 First recorded European settlement (by Britain)
1642 Ceded to French West Indies company by King of France who claimed sovereignty
1814 Island changed hands fourteen times between Britain and France, finally becoming a British
Colony
1838 Incorporated into Windward Islands Federation
1951 Universal Adult Suffrage, George F.L. Charles, first Chief Minister
1958 Joined the West Indies Federation
1967 Associated Statehood with Britain (full internal self-government) within WISA
1979 Independence achieved, John Compton, first Prime Minister
Visit Government Portal: http://www.stlucia.gov.lc
Connect on FacebookCARICOM Lead Head of Government for Sustainable Development (including Environment and Disaster Management and Water)
The giant Samaan tree located in the Derek Walcott Square, Castries is more than 400 years old
The island’s two Nobel Prize Winners: Sir Arthur Lewis (Economics, 1979); and Hon Derek Walcott, OCC (Literature 1992) were born on the same date – January 23