Here are some Political and Economic tidbits about St Lucia from the US dept of State website:

Government
Type: Westminster-style parliamentary democracy.
Independence: February 22, 1979.
Constitution: 1979.

Branches: Executive--governor general (representing Queen Elizabeth II, head of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative--bicameral parliament.
Judicial--district courts, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (High Court and Court of Appeals), final appeal to privy council in London. Administrative subdivisions: 11 parishes.

Political parties: St. Lucia Labor Party (SLP, ruling); in power since 1997, United Workers' Party (UWP, official opposition).
Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy
GDP (2004): $753 million.
Annual growth rate (2004): 3.6%.
Per capita GDP (2004 estimate): $4,600.

Natural resources: Forests, beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs.
Agriculture (2004): 4.5% of GDP. Products--bananas, cocoa, coconut, citrus fruits, and livestock.
Manufacturing (2004): 5.4% of GDP. Types--garments, electronic components, beverages, corrugated boxes.

Tourism (2004): 48% of GDP (direct and indirect impact).

Trade: Exports (2004)--$81 million: bananas, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, other agricultural products, oils and fats, manufactured goods. Major export markets (2004)--U.K. (27%), U.S. (13%), Trinidad and Tobago (12%), and Barbados (8%).

Imports (2004)--$383 million: food, fuel, manufactured goods, machinery, and transport equipment. Major suppliers--U.S. (40%), Trinidad and Tobago (16%), U.K. (9%), and Japan (4%).

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