Saint Lucia, an independent island nation located in the Windward Islands of the West Indies between St. Vincent and Martinique, has an area of 238 sq. mi. (616 sq. km.). Capital: Castries. ,St. Lucia was discovered by Columbus in 1502. The first attempts at settlements undertaken by the British in 1605 and 1638 were frustrated by sickness and determined hostility of the fierce Carib inhabitants. The French settled it is 1650 and made a treaty with the indigenous population. Until 1814, when the island became a definite British possession, it was the scene of a continuous conflict between the British and French which saw the island change loyalty on at least 14 occasions.,, Rulers:,,, ,British,,