Background
Arawak
Indians firstly constructed and maintained their civilizations in St.
Lucia around 200 A.D., though by 800 their culture had been superseded
by that of the Caribs. These early Amerindian cultures called the
island "Iouanalao" and "Hewanorra," meaning "Island of the Iguanas."
There
is a historical inconsistency on the island's European discovery among
the scholars by referencing the question of the explorer of the island.
Depending on the recent evidences, Juan de la Cosa discovered it in
1499 rather than Columbus. In any case, there was no European presence
established on the island until its settlement in the 1550s by the
notorious buccaneer Francois le Clerc, a.k.a. Jambe de Bois, or Wooden
Leg. In 1600s, the Dutch welcomed the island to settle a fortified base
at Vieux Fort.
The
colonization process of the Island was started with English colonists
in 1605. By mid-century, the French had arrived, and had even
"purchased" the island for the French West India Company. The island's
first settlements and towns were oriented French style in 1746. By
1780, twelve settlements and a large number of sugar plantations had
been established.
Over
the next century St. Lucia was adopted into the stable democracy and
multicultural society that it is still alive today. The country
remained under the British crown until it became independent within the
British Commonwealth in 1979. Despite the length of British rule, the
island's French cultural legacy is still evident in its Creole dialect.
Holidays
Jan 1 - New Year
Jan 2 - Carnival
Feb 22 - Independence Day
Mar 25* - Good Friday
Mar 27* - Easter Sunday
Mar 28* - Easter Monday
May 1 - Labour Day
May 16* - Whit Monday
May 31* - Corpus Christi
Aug 1 - Emancipation Day
Sep 19 - Independence Day (celebrations all week)
Oct 3* - Thanksgiving Day
Dec 13 - Festival of Lights and Renewal
Dec 25-26 - Christmas
Ps: These festivals' dates (*) given above are approximations which are subject to change every new year.
Phone Codes
Country Code: 1 758
Outgoing International Code: 011
Resources
Market Research
CIA - The World Factbook - St. Lucia
This website displays a wide range of detail information about St.Lucia
via introducing it into the different fields as its geography,people,
government, economy, communications, transportation, military,
transnational issues.
About St. Lucia
There
is available to find out St. Lucia's outlook on the issue of its social
and business profile, passport/visa, money, accommodation, government,
duty free, health...etc.
Business Consultants in St. Lucia
There
is a list of business consultants settled in St.Lucia including its
contact information for the local and foreign investors.
Opening A Business in St. Lucia
It is the official website of Ministry of Commerce, Investment and
Consumer Affairs of St. Lucia that aims to clarify the legal procedures
of founding a business in St. Lucia for both local and foreign
investors.
Doing Business in St. Lucia
UK Trade & Investment provides the export information about St.
Lucia for the investors/exporters/importers in terms of its market
research or sectoral/industrial database analysis.
OPIC Links - Investor's Information Gateway for St. Lucia
There is available country database information links which are
efficient for the new investors planned to do business with St. Lucia.
Trade Information
St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
It
is the official website of St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce. This
organization aims to promote the development of island business and
simultaneously offers schedule of upcoming events, online membership
application, services and programs, related links and contact
information.
Some Useful Contact Addresses for St. Lucia
There is a list of the contact information of the corporations,boards,
ministries...etc. related to St. Lucia's business, trade and investment
improvements like National Development Corporation, St Lucia Marketing
Board...etc.
Consulate General of Saint Lucia - Trade & Investment Office
This
organization is created to develop economic, commercial, scientific and
cultural relations between Saint Lucia and the states of Florida,
Texas, Arizona, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Kentucky, and Georgia.
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