St Lucia offers a very diverse cuisine with many influences. The main inspiration of the traditional dishes is from the West Indian, French and Creole cuisine. Hints of Asian, British and American tastes can also be detected.

Fish and seafood make up most traditional dishes, such as conch chowder, Creole fish, fried jackfish and the ever popular national dish consisting of salt fish and green figs. Other popular dishes are fried plantain, rotis, pepper pot stew and callaloo soup. Cassava, breadfruit and sweet potatoes are very present as well.

Desserts are often laced with locally cultivated fruits like bananas, coconuts, guavas, mangoes, papayas, passion fruit and pineapples.

The locally brewed Piton Lager beer can be found and, of course, a great selection of rum from the St Lucia Rum Distillery in the Roseau Valley.

The various ethnic groups that make up today's St Lucia have all brought different traditions. The two biggest influences are the French, with the cuisine and the arts, and British, through the political, educational and administrative systems.

St. Lucia is proud of its two Nobel Prizewinners: the late Sir W. Arthur Lewis, who won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1979, and poet Derek Walcott, who won the 1992 Nobel Prize for Literature. . Great art and crafts are produced by the people here. Batik and silkscreen designs are wonderful.

The Creole Heritage Month, know as Jounen Kwélyol Entenaysonnal, is celebrated throughout the month of October, by hosting Creole food fairs, dancing lessons and demonstrations, and historic walking tours.

St Lucia is part of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. Its 158 km of coastlines are bathed by the Caribbean Sea to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The island measures 43 km long and 22 km at its widest.

This volcanic island is quite mountainous with lush forests and some broad, fertile valleys. Beaches dot the perimeter. The highest point is Mount Gimie at 950 m above sea level. Castries is the capital and other notable towns include Gros Islet, Soufrière and Vieux Fort.

The first settlers of the island were the Arawak Indians, arriving around the 3rd century AD. By the 8th century AD the Arawaks were over taken by the cannibalistic Caribs. Christopher Columbus is said to have identified the island in 1499 but probably never landed on its shores. Several attempts to colonize the islands failed until the French bought the island in 1651. The next 150 years consisted of battles between the French and the British over ownership. After 14 changes of hand, the British won the final battle in 1814.

The country's economy was based on the sugar plantations, worked by West African slaves sent to the New World. Slavery was finally abolished in 1838. The 13,000 freed slaves made up close to 90% of the population. Today banana crops have replaced the sugar plantations. The island gained its independence on February 22, 1979.

This island offers incredibly varied natural settings that are great source of pride for the local. Environmental efforts are very present, whether inland or beyond its shoreline with its beautiful coral reefs. The tropical rainforests display giant ferns, birds of paradise, jasmine, scarlet chenille and wild orchids. There are sulphur springs, natural waterfall, mineral baths, mangroves and cactus valleys also to explore. But most recognizable to St Lucia are the two volcanic cones: the Gros Piton at 797 m and the Petit Piton at 750 m.

The tiny Maria Islands, now a nature reserve, are home to two species found nowhere else in the world: the Kouwes snake and the Zandoli Te lizard. The male lizards can be identified by their blue tail. From mid-March to the end of July, on the north coast, you can observe the leatherback turtles nest on the beaches.

Many of the parks and refuges are inhabited by numerous bird species. There are many indigenous species, like the colourful St Lucia Parrot, known as a Jacquot, the White Breasted Thrasher, the St Lucia Peewee, and the St Lucia Oriole.

Hiking and biking are a wonderful way to explore the many nature parks and reserve found on St Lucia. Discover old sugar plantations, secluded beaches and waterfalls hidden in the rainforest. Those looking for a challenging hike can even go up the Gros Piton. Another option is horseback riding.

Water sports are very popular too, like sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, water-skiing and parasailing. Excursions can take you out on a deep-sea fishing expedition. Diving and snorkelling is excellent in St Lucia. This volcanic island is surrounded by wonderful array of coral, sponge and marine life. There are even a few sunken ships.

Golfers will enjoy the St Lucia's Golf and Country Club which has an 18-hole golf course with a par 71. The Sandals St. Lucia and the La Toc Golf Course which offers a 9 hole par 33 course.

St Lucians are big fans of soccer and cricket.