St. Lucia Attraction Added to List of World Heritage Sites

St. Lucia´s Pitons Management Area, home to the famous twin peaks known as the Pitons, has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The Pitons are the fourth Natural World Heritage Site declared in the

Caribbean. The other three sites are Dominica´s Morne Trois Pitons National Park and two national parks in Cuba, the Desembarco del Granma National Park and Alexander Von Humboldt National Park.

"It is a tremendous achievement for the nation and a triumph not just for St. Lucia, but for other small island developing states," said Darnley LaBorne, program officer at the St. Lucia National Trust, who said that the site was chosen because of its uniqueness, history, geology and evolution.

The 2,909 hectare site near the town of Soufriere, includes the Pitons, two volcanic peaks rising side by side from the sea: Gros Piton (770 meters) and Petit Piton (743 meters), which are linked by the Piton Mitan ridge.

The volcanic complex includes a geothermal field with sulphurous fumaroles and hot springs. The St Lucian government has undertaken to explore the feasibility of using the long-dormant volcano as a source of alternative energy.

The Pitons site also includes an extensive underwater area covered mostly by coral reefs.

A survey has revealed hundreds of species of finfish, corals, molluscs,

sponges and other marine creatures. Endangered Hawksbill turtles, whale sharks and pilot whales also call the area home.

The Pitons are covered by a mix tropical moist forest and subtropical wet forest with small areas of dry forest and wet elfin woodland on the summits.

The natural treasures of the area also include 148 plant species recorded on Gros Piton, 97 on Petit Piton and the ridge, and eight rare tree species.

The Gros Piton is home to some 27 bird species, five of which are unique to the area, and a few species of indigenous rodents, opossum, bats, reptiles and amphibians.