The island, with its fine
natural harbor at Castries, was contested between England and
France throughout the 17th and early 18th
centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the
UK in 1814. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in
1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to
producing tropical commodity crops. Self-government was granted in 1967
and independence in 1979.
English
is the official language; French patois is also spoken.