Castries
Castries /kəˈstriːz/ ⓘ is the capital and largest city of Saint Lucia, an island country in the Caribbean. The urban area has a population of approximately 20,000, while the eponymous district has a population of 70,000, as at May 2013. The city covers 80 km2 (31 sq mi).
Castries | |
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Top: View of Castries; Middle:Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Castries Harbor; Downtown Castries, Saint Lucia Government House | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
| Motto: Statio Haud Malefida Carinis ("A Safe Harbour for Ships") | |
The District of Castries, showing Castries city (red dot) | |
| Coordinates: 14°01′N 60°59′W | |
| Country | Saint Lucia |
| District | Castries District |
| Founded | 1650 as "Carenage" |
| Renamed | 1756 as "Castries" |
| Founded by | the French |
| Named for | Charles Eugène Gabriel de La Croix, marquis de Castries |
| Government | |
| • Governing body | Castries City Council |
| • Mayor | Geraldine Lendor-Gabriel |
| Area | |
| • Total | 79 km2 (30.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2 m (6.56 ft) |
| Population (2013) | |
| • Total | 20,000 |
| • Density | 250/km2 (660/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (Eastern Caribbean Time Zone (ECT)) |
| Area code | 758 |
| Website | www |
Castries is on a flood plain and is built on reclaimed land. It houses the seat of government and the head offices of many foreign and local businesses. The city is laid out in a grid pattern. Its sheltered harbour receives cargo vessels, ferries and cruise ships. It houses duty-free shopping facilities such as Point Seraphine and La Place Carenage.
Castries is the birthplace of Arthur Lewis, winner of the 1979 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics, as well as of Derek Walcott, winner of the 1992 Nobel Prize for Literature.