North & Central America and Caribbean

Saint Lucia
Last reviewed: 9 February 2009

Country information

See entire profile

HISTORY

The island was first settled by Arawak Indians around 200 AD but by 800 AD their culture had been superseded by an early Amerindian group known as the Caribs. The Caribs called the island 'Iouanalao' and 'Hewanorra', meaning 'Island of the Iguanas'. The first European to discover Saint Lucia was Juan de la Cosa, who had at one time served as Columbus's navigator (it is generally believed that Columbus did not set foot on Saint Lucia, but merely sailed close by). The first European settlement was in the 1550s by the buccaneer Francois le Clerc (aka Jambe de Bois, or Wooden Leg). Around 1600 the Dutch arrived, establishing a fortified base at Vieux Fort. However, two attempts by English colonists, in 1605 and 1639, ended in failure as the resident Caribs forced the colonists to flee. By the mid 17th century the French arrived and 'purchased' the island for the French West India Company. Anglo-French rivalry for the island continued for more than a century and a half, with the island changing hands a total of 14 times. The island's first settlements were all French, beginning with Soufrière in 1746. By 1780, 12 settlements and a large number of sugar plantations had been established. Two years earlier, the British launched their first invasion effort at the 'Battle of Cul de Sac'. By 1814, after a prolonged series of battles, the island was finally ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Paris. Self-government with Associated State Status was achieved in 1967 and independence followed on 22 February 1979. St Lucia is part of the Commonwealth.

BBC News Country Timeline: St Lucia