First inhabited by the peaceful Arawak Indians, the fierce Caribs had controlled St. Lucia for 700 years by the time Juan de Cosa, a little known explorer who traveled with Columbus, first sighted the island in 1499. After that, things got really interesting.
Originally called Hewanorra ("there where the iguana is found"), the first European to settle was the pirate Francois Le Clerc, known as Jambe de Bois or Wooden Leg. In 1550 he based himself on Pigeon Island, a prime spot for attacking passing Spanish ships. The English first landed in 1605, after being blown off course on their way to Guyana. Sixty-seven settlers purchased huts from the Caribs. One month later the 19 still alive fled from the Caribs in a canoe. There was a second futile attempt at colonization by the British in 1639.
The French arrived in 1651 when two representatives of the French West India Company bought the island. Evidently they bought the cooperation of the Caribs as well, but peace was short-lived. In 1659 ownership disputes between the French and the English ignited hostilities that lasted 150 years, during which the island changed hands 14 times. The French finally ceded the island to the British in 1814. St Lucia became completely independent in 1979 but remains a member of the British Commonwealth.
The only evidence of this tempestuous past are the remains of the forts that once housed the combatants. Today you'll find St Lucia a colorful mixture of history and unsurpassed natural beauty - and peace. From a drive-in volcano to a resident Nobel Laureate, from 3000 foot mountain ranges and 19,000 acres of rainforest to miles of sandy white beaches and unparalleled bird and whale watching, St Lucia is a truly a unique Caribbean destination.
Emancipation Day parade from Milford CourtSeveral top regional and local cultural acts will headline the Tobago Emancipation Day celebrations this Sunday.Commentary: No trade without help on undeniable climate changeBy Sir Ronald Sanders Climate change is now undeniable according to a new study headed by the US National Oceans and Atmospheric Administration.Gordon risingThe track and field world took notice of Jehue Gordon at the 2009 World Championships, in Berlin, Germany.Encouraging first half year for OCMThe One Caribbean Media Group has achieved encouraging results for the half year ended June 30, 2010, chairman Sir Fred Gollop said yesterday.Watch Winehouse documentary and win the bookSaving Amy cover. Image / Supplied" /> Saving Amy cover. Image / Supplied This Sunday Sky's Vibe channel is screening My Daughter Amy , about Amy Winehouse's recent troubled years, from the point of view of Mitch Winehouse - her Dad.Netball coach: Senior members played leading roleT&Ta s women netball team which claimed the Americas Federation of Netball Associations Qualifiers title in St Lucia, returned home last night.Smith begins hunt - Green, Riettie, Wilson mine goldWORLD Championship decathlon silver medallist, 29-year-old Maurice Smith, begins his Central American and Caribbean Games two-day title hunt this morning at 8:15 on the penultimate day of athletics in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.CARICOM secretariat hosts EPA workshop in St LuciaA two-day Technical Workshop on Market Access & Trade in Services/Investment that drew primarily on the expertise of staff from the Caribbean Community Secretariat Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation Unit came to a close last Friday.Calypso Girls claim AFNA titleT&Ta s goalshoot Anastascia Wilson, left during a recent practice session with the national team.A voyage of discovery with guns and Amy WinehouseBy DAVID McCANN WHEN her husband promised her a sailing holiday, Anne Campion never imagined she would end up running the gauntlet of Somali pirates, appearing on Arabic television, or bumping into Amy Winehouse in a restaurant toilet.T&T remain unbeatenTrinidad and Tobago extended their unbeaten run and St Lucia shocked Barbados in a closely contested encounter as the Americas Federation of Netball Associations qualifiers continued at the Beausejour indoor facility here Monday night.It's Mrs Bloom! Miranda Kerr makes a dazzling return to work after...She'd only just returned from her honeymoon with new husband Orlando Bloom, but it was business as usual for model Miranda Kerr.Women Sevens team maul Mexico, whip St LuciaThe national women's rugby Seven's team began its quest to retain its North American and Caribbean Rugby Associations Championship with a commanding display of rugby yesterday at the National Stadium, Providence.Digicel on board for Pan American Karate ChampionshipsTelecommunications giant, Digicel, yesterday became the latest sponsor to assist the Guyana Karate College to host the 11th International Shotokan Federation Pan American Karate Championships scheduled to be held in Guyana from August 12-15. Digicel Events and Marketing Manager Shonnet Moore and GKC Chairman Frank Woon-A-Tai pose with the ...Orlando and Miranda return from honeymoonNewlyweds Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr breezed through LA International Airport on Monday looking tanned and happy and holding ring-clad hands as they returned from their Caribbean honeymoon.Jamaican tally increases to 21 medals at CAC GamesJAMAICA's medal tally was up to 21 at press time yesterday after nine days of competition at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.Team Jamaica retain CUT crownTeam Jamaica retained the Caribbean Union of Teachers championship trophy at the Silver Jubilee Stadium in Bassettere, St Kitts, on Sunday after amassing 44 medals to Barbados' 36 and Trinidad and Tobago's 20.Windwards clinch TCL U-19 title, Jamaica 4thGROS ISLET, St Lucia : The Windward Islands pulled off a convincing seven-wicket win over the Leeward Islands yesterday to clinch the 2010 TCL Group West Indies Under-19 three-day crown.St Lucia to tap into volcano for energySt Lucia is gearing up to tap geothermal power trapped beneath boiling sulphur springs, a rare attempt at developing alternative energy sources in the Caribbean.with The Wicklow PeopleSinger Wyclef Jean is considering a run for president of Haiti but has not decided whether to seek a five-year term as leader of the quake-ravaged nation.
