Vieux Fort Quarter
Encyclopedia
Vieux Fort is located in the southern part of St. Lucia. It is the second-largest town on the island and is the home of St Lucia's international airport, Hewanorra International Airport
. (Hewanorra is the island's old Amerindian name). Vieux Fort
is also the name of the Quarter
that encompasses the city.
and fruits. It also houses St. Lucia's biggest fish market.
Part of Vieux Fort is called Black Bay. It got its name because legend has it that the infamous pirate Blackbeard
used this part of the country to stash his ill-gotten gains.
During the Second World War, Vieux Fort became a base for American troops. Some of the evidence can still be seen around town, such as the underground tunnel
that runs from Clark Street all the way to St. Judes Hospital in Augier. This tunnel was used for storage of supplies and also a quick route to the hospital. Many people who reside in Vieux-Fort today have no idea about such a tunnel.
In recent years a new modern part of Vieux Fort has been erected to reflect the modern world, yet if you walk along Clark Street and its surrounding roads, you will still see what is known as The Old Town. Here you will see historic colonial houses that give Vieux Fort a touch of Old England
and France
(albeit they do need a bit of renovation now). In recent times Black Bay has become a haven for expatriate
s.
.
, which is a nesting ground for leatherback turtles
and is home to a species of iguana
indigenous to St. Lucia.
Hewanorra International Airport
Hewanorra International Airport , near Vieux Fort Quarter, Saint Lucia, in the Caribbean, is the larger of the country's two airports and is managed by the Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority ....
. (Hewanorra is the island's old Amerindian name). Vieux Fort
Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia
Vieux Fort is a town located near the southernmost point of Saint Lucia. It is named after a fort that used watch out towards Saint Vincent towards the south...
is also the name of the Quarter
Quarters of Saint Lucia
||The island of Saint Lucia is divided into 11 quarters:# Anse la Raye# Castries# Choiseul# Dauphin# Dennery# Gros Islet# Laborie# Micoud# Praslin# Soufrière# Vieux Fort-District statistics:...
that encompasses the city.
Geography
It has several small communities which include Augier, Belle Vue, Black Bay, Grace, La Resource, Pierrot, St.Urban, Vige and Zaboo.Economy
Every Friday and Saturday is market day where you can buy local goods such as spices, ground provisionsGround provisions
Ground provisions is the term used in West Indian nations to describe a number of traditional vegetable and fruit staples that are planted in the ground, such as yams and cassava. They are often cooked and served as a side dish in local cuisine. Caribbean recipes will often simply call for ground...
and fruits. It also houses St. Lucia's biggest fish market.
History
In the second half of the 18th century, Vieux Fort was the center of St Lucia's sugar industry; today it is more industrial.Part of Vieux Fort is called Black Bay. It got its name because legend has it that the infamous pirate Blackbeard
Blackbeard
Edward Teach , better known as Blackbeard, was a notorious English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of the American colonies....
used this part of the country to stash his ill-gotten gains.
During the Second World War, Vieux Fort became a base for American troops. Some of the evidence can still be seen around town, such as the underground tunnel
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
that runs from Clark Street all the way to St. Judes Hospital in Augier. This tunnel was used for storage of supplies and also a quick route to the hospital. Many people who reside in Vieux-Fort today have no idea about such a tunnel.
In recent years a new modern part of Vieux Fort has been erected to reflect the modern world, yet if you walk along Clark Street and its surrounding roads, you will still see what is known as The Old Town. Here you will see historic colonial houses that give Vieux Fort a touch of Old England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
(albeit they do need a bit of renovation now). In recent times Black Bay has become a haven for expatriate
Expatriate
An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing...
s.
Government
The quarter is represented by two members of the House of AssemblyHouse of Assembly of Saint Lucia
The Parliament of Saint Lucia has two chambers. The House of Assembly is the popular elected chamber of the Legislature. It has 17 members, elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies.-Current Composition:...
.
Tourism
Whilst the majority of tourist activity in Saint Lucia is based on the West coast, some hotels are located in Vieux Fort Quarter. A notable tourist attraction is the Maria Islands Nature Reserve, managed by the Saint Lucia National TrustSaint Lucia National Trust
The Saint Lucia National Trust is a non-profit organization established by statute in 1975 on the island nation of Saint Lucia. It is charged with "preserving buildings, objects of historic and architectural interest and areas of natural beauty together with their animal and plant life, for present...
, which is a nesting ground for leatherback turtles
Leatherback Sea Turtle
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of all living sea turtles and the fourth largest modern reptile behind three crocodilians. It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys. It can easily be differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell. Instead, its...
and is home to a species of iguana
Iguana
Iguana is a herbivorous genus of lizard native to tropical areas of Central America and the Caribbean. The genus was first described in 1768 by Austrian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in his book Specimen Medicum, Exhibens Synopsin Reptilium Emendatam cum Experimentis circa Venena...
indigenous to St. Lucia.