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| The Arawak Indians, the first settlers of St. Lucia in 200
A.D., called the island, “Iouanalao,” meaning “Island of the Iguanas.”
Six hundred years later their culture was driven out by the Caribs who ultimately lost
their control when Spanish ships landed on the island. Originally it was believed that Christopher Columbus discovered St.Lucia but recent findings have suggested that Juan de la Cosa, a lesser-known explorer discovered it in 1504. But it wasn’t until 1550 that Europeans began to send settlers. By 1780 France had claimed control of the island, developing settlements and sugar plantations. British forces remained persistent on capturing the country for themselves and in 1814 eventually established ownership. Today St. Lucia is an independent land of many cultures and a stable democracy. |
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