Castries, the Capital of the Caribbean Island, St. Lucia Author Derek Walcott has used the diversity of his home country, St. Lucia, as a main theme in many of his poems. Castries, the capital of his home country, has a very diverse culture due to a rich history and heritage, which is evident in their ethnic groups and unique dialect (Wikipedia Culture). Castries was founded in 1650 by the French after St. Lucia was purchased by, the governor of Martinique, Jacques Dyel du Parquet. The early settlement was abandoned after a hurricane in 1780. The British made the town a major naval port between 1803 and 1844, and “built fortifications on Morne Fortune, the mountain that overlooks this important harbor”, according to the article, History
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Between the mountains, forests, and sandy beaches, only 21% of land is used for permanent crops and only 8% is arable land (Wiki Natural Resourses). The geography also helps the tourism because tourist attractions include a drive-in volcano, Sulphur Springs (in Soufrière), the Botanical Gardens, the Majestic twin Peaks "The Pitons", a world heritage site, the rain forests, and Pigeon Island National Park (Wikipedia Tourism). While the opportunity for raw materials and using the island as a port was what first caused it to be colonized, tourism is Saint Lucia's main source of jobs and income - accounting for 65% of GDP - and the island's main source of foreign exchange earnings (CIA government library). Although tourism is the economy’s main source of revenue, Saint Lucia has been ranked as “one of the top 10 most dangerous cruise destinations in the world (number 10)”, according to an article on an international cruise website – www.cruiselawnews.com, where it is said tourists are commonly robbed (St. Lucia News Online). The cost of living in Castries, Saint Lucia is 12% cheaper than in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) (Expatistan). I can see why Derek Walcott drew upon the cultural diversity of Castries (Saint Lucia), and most likely would say it is a great place to live and experience. Even tourists go there to enjoy the unique cultural
Between the mountains, forests, and sandy beaches, only 21% of land is used for permanent crops and only 8% is arable land (Wiki Natural Resourses). The geography also helps the tourism because tourist attractions include a drive-in volcano, Sulphur Springs (in Soufrière), the Botanical Gardens, the Majestic twin Peaks "The Pitons", a world heritage site, the rain forests, and Pigeon Island National Park (Wikipedia Tourism). While the opportunity for raw materials and using the island as a port was what first caused it to be colonized, tourism is Saint Lucia's main source of jobs and income - accounting for 65% of GDP - and the island's main source of foreign exchange earnings (CIA government library). Although tourism is the economy’s main source of revenue, Saint Lucia has been ranked as “one of the top 10 most dangerous cruise destinations in the world (number 10)”, according to an article on an international cruise website – www.cruiselawnews.com, where it is said tourists are commonly robbed (St. Lucia News Online). The cost of living in Castries, Saint Lucia is 12% cheaper than in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) (Expatistan). I can see why Derek Walcott drew upon the cultural diversity of Castries (Saint Lucia), and most likely would say it is a great place to live and experience. Even tourists go there to enjoy the unique cultural