Ten things you never knew about... Saint Lucia

Today is Independence Day in the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, marking their independence from the UK on February 22, 1979. 1. Saint Lucia is the only country named after a woman: St Lucia of Syracuse (283–304).

2. Saint Lucia is a patron saint of the blind, martyrs, epidemics, salesmen, throat infections and writers.

3. The French established a settlement on Saint Lucia in 1643, the English took it over in 1664 and it changed hands between the two countries more than a dozen times in the 18th and 19th centuries.

4. Saint Lucia has won two Nobel prizes: Derek Walcott (Literature) in 1992 and Arthur Lewis (Economics) in 1979.

5. With a population of only 185,000, Saint Lucia has won more Nobels per capita than any other independent country.

6. Saint Lucia’s Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II. The governor-general is Dame Pearlette Louisy.

7. Oil accounts for 33 per cent of exports.

8. Saint Lucia has competed at every summer Olympics since 1996 but has yet to win a medal.

9. Hotel Chocolat owns an estate in Saint Lucia. It is the only UK company with its own plantation.

10. The national dish of Saint Lucia is stewed saltfish with boiled green bananas.