St. Lucia is a Caribbean island located north of Saint Vincent and northwest of Barbados. It has a population of around 174,000 and its capital and largest city is Castries. St. Lucia has changed between French and British control numerous times throughout its history before gaining independence in 1979. The island is mountainous with forests covering the mountains and beaches and low-lying lands along the coasts. Popular attractions include the Piton mountains, rainforests, beaches, and various waterfalls. The weather varies by region from hot and humid in the lowlands to quite cool at higher elevations.