History
The first inhabitants of St. Lucia were Arawak Indians, and later
Caribs, who did not appreciate the British invasion of their island
in the early 17th century; for some time they managed to successfully
fend off colonization. In 1650 the French overcame the resistance
and settled, completing a treaty with the Caribs in 1660.
Over the next 164 years, the island exchanged hands 14 times between
the French and British in an almost comical seesaw play of power.
It was not until the 1814 Treaty of Paris that the British finally
secured all rights.
During this time, the Carib Indians were played as a pawn between
the two powers until the British finally and unceremoniously exiled
them to a still-existing reservation on Dominica.
Although the island gained control of its own government on 22 February
1979, its official head of state still remains the British throne,
represented by a governor general who appoints the 11 members of
St. Lucia's senate. The House of Assembly is elected by popular
vote.
Culture
St.Lucia's culture has evolved from the intermingling of the many
different groups of people who have participated in its history.
Each has brought different beliefs and traditions, all of which
are reflected in the life of the island today.
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