Soufrière is a town on the West Coast of Saint Lucia, in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The town and the surrounding district has a population of 7,935. It was colonized by the French and was the original capital of the island.[3]
French colonizers built large estates in Soufrière, and their descendants still live in the area. The French Revolution of 1789 resulted in many Royalists being executed and the enslaved Africans were released from enslavement. However, Napoleon reintroduced slavery when he came to power.
The British invaded St Lucia shortly afterwards, but the enslaved Africans and French deserters fought them in a guerrilla campaign until 1803 when they were defeated and St Lucia became a British colony. Also, during that time, Castries became the capital of St Lucia.
Over the years, Soufrière has had to deal with hurricanes in 1780, 1817, 1831, 1898 and 1980, a major fire in 1955 and an earthquake in 1991. Many of these events have resulted in the town being rebuilt.
Soufrière inhabitants have included the future Empress of France Joséphine de Beauharnais (who spent much of her childhood in the area),[citation needed] and George Charles (the first Premier of St Lucia). When Queen Elizabeth II visited St Lucia in 1966, she landed at Soufrière rather than Castries.
Today, Soufrière is more dependent on tourism rather than agriculture. The Pitons are just south of the town and there are several attractions in the area. Many of the old estates are still there such as Soufrière Estate, Fond Doux Estate and Rabot Estate.
Tourismedit
The Pitons – Gros Piton and Petit Piton are two giant volcanic plugs located south of Soufrière and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sulphur Springs – Soufrière is located within the caldera of the dormant Qualibou volcano and the area is geothermally active. It is marketed as a drive-through volcano, and there are numerous hot springs and fumaroles.
Soufrière Estate – also known as Diamond Estate, this is an old colonial estate that is home to a botanical garden, sulphur baths and Diamond Falls.[4]
Fond Doux Estate – a working plantation where cacao is still processed.[5]
St Lucia's Rainforest – there are several rainforest trails in the area with views, wildlife and waterfalls such as the Enbas Saut Falls.[6]
Anse Chastanet – a resort with a beach and several trails along the coast.
Volga Nature Trail - a hiking trail with views of both pitons up close with views of Sugar beach.
In popular cultureedit
Soufrière was the filming location for most of the 1985 film Water, set on the fictional British colony of Cascara.
^St Lucia Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry and Fisheries. "Homepage".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^. St. Lucia News Online. 28 January 2019. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019.
^Stuart, Jonathan (5 August 2021). "Cabinet of Ministers revealed at swearing-in ceremony". Loop News. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
External linksedit
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Soufriere.
360degree Panorama, Soufriere Bay, St. Lucia
March 04, 2024
soufrière, saint, lucia, this, article, about, town, other, soufrière, disambiguation, soufrière, town, west, coast, saint, lucia, eastern, caribbean, town, surrounding, district, population, colonized, french, original, capital, island, soufrièretownsoufrière. This article is about the town For other see Soufriere disambiguation Soufriere is a town on the West Coast of Saint Lucia in the eastern Caribbean Sea The town and the surrounding district has a population of 7 935 It was colonized by the French and was the original capital of the island 3 SoufriereTownSoufriere and the PitonsPolitical map of Saint Lucia showing SoufriereCoordinates 13 51 14 N 61 03 33 W 13 854 N 61 0592 W 13 854 61 0592Country Saint LuciaQuarterSoufriere QuarterFounded18th centuryFounded byFranceNamed forThe local volcanoGovernment Governing bodySoufriere Council MayorJoan Hippolyte 1 Elevation5 m 16 ft Population 2005 2 Total7 935 Soufriere District Time zoneUTC 4 Eastern Caribbean Time Zone ECT Area code758 Contents 1 History 2 Tourism 3 In popular culture 4 Image gallery of the town of Soufriere 5 Notable people 6 See also 7 Notes 8 External linksHistory editFrench colonizers built large estates in Soufriere and their descendants still live in the area The French Revolution of 1789 resulted in many Royalists being executed and the enslaved Africans were released from enslavement However Napoleon reintroduced slavery when he came to power The British invaded St Lucia shortly afterwards but the enslaved Africans and French deserters fought them in a guerrilla campaign until 1803 when they were defeated and St Lucia became a British colony Also during that time Castries became the capital of St Lucia Over the years Soufriere has had to deal with hurricanes in 1780 1817 1831 1898 and 1980 a major fire in 1955 and an earthquake in 1991 Many of these events have resulted in the town being rebuilt Soufriere inhabitants have included the future Empress of France Josephine de Beauharnais who spent much of her childhood in the area citation needed and George Charles the first Premier of St Lucia When Queen Elizabeth II visited St Lucia in 1966 she landed at Soufriere rather than Castries Today Soufriere is more dependent on tourism rather than agriculture The Pitons are just south of the town and there are several attractions in the area Many of the old estates are still there such as Soufriere Estate Fond Doux Estate and Rabot Estate Tourism editThe Pitons Gros Piton and Petit Piton are two giant volcanic plugs located south of Soufriere and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site Sulphur Springs Soufriere is located within the caldera of the dormant Qualibou volcano and the area is geothermally active It is marketed as a drive through volcano and there are numerous hot springs and fumaroles Soufriere Estate also known as Diamond Estate this is an old colonial estate that is home to a botanical garden sulphur baths and Diamond Falls 4 Fond Doux Estate a working plantation where cacao is still processed 5 St Lucia s Rainforest there are several rainforest trails in the area with views wildlife and waterfalls such as the Enbas Saut Falls 6 Anse Chastanet a resort with a beach and several trails along the coast Volga Nature Trail a hiking trail with views of both pitons up close with views of Sugar beach In popular culture editSoufriere was the filming location for most of the 1985 film Water set on the fictional British colony of Cascara Image gallery of the town of Soufriere edit nbsp Soufriere nbsp Piton Valley part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site near Soufriere nbsp Malgretoute Beach looking north towards Soufriere nbsp Catholic Church and Central square Soufriere April 2007 nbsp The Pitons at Soufriere nbsp Soufriere nbsp Soufriere Bay nbsp Soufriere at night nbsp Welcome sign to SoufriereNotable people editEmma Hippolyte politician and government minister 7 8 Yasmin K born 1986 pop singerSee also editCaribbean Soufriere RiverNotes edit Gaillard Sharefil 13 September 2021 Soufriere gets a new mayor Loop News Retrieved 14 September 2021 Home stlucia org History of Soufriere Diamond Botanical Gardens Diamond Botanical Gardens Fond Doux Estate Fond Doux Estate St Lucia Ministry of Agriculture Lands Forestry and Fisheries Homepage a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Former Gros Islet MP takes aim at Soufriere St Lucia News Online 28 January 2019 Archived from the original on 28 January 2019 Stuart Jonathan 5 August 2021 Cabinet of Ministers revealed at swearing in ceremony Loop News Retrieved 14 September 2021 External links edit nbsp Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Soufriere 360degree Panorama Soufriere Bay St Lucia Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Soufriere Saint Lucia amp oldid 1174877549, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
