Population density: 266/km² (687/mi²)

Main languages spoken: English, French Creole

St. Lucia has a rich, tension-free racial mix of descendants of Africans, Caribs, and European settlers. Despite relaxed attitudes, family life is central to most St. Lucians, many of whom are practicing Roman Catholics. Small families are the norm. In rural districts, where women run many of the farms, absentee fathers are fairly common. In recent years, women have had greater access to higher education and have moved into professions. A bill to permit the occasional use of Creole in parliament was passed in 1998.

THE URBAN/RURAL POPULATION SPLIT

RELIGIOUS PERSUASION

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004