Saint Lucia圣卢西亚

Curatorial Note

The national atlas tradition of Saint Lucia, a small island nation in the Eastern Caribbean, is represented in this gallery by a single, focused work: the *Saint Lucia Planning Atlas* (1987). This atlas emerged during a period of post-independence nation-building, following the island's independence in 1979. The 1980s saw a surge in development planning, and the atlas was conceived as a practical tool to support land-use decisions, resource management, and infrastructure development. Its editorial approach was distinctly applied—rather than a comprehensive geographical encyclopaedia, it prioritized thematic maps, statistical data, and planning-oriented cartography, all in English, reflecting the country's administrative language. The atlas served as a bridge between cartographic science and policy, offering a snapshot of the island's socio-economic and environmental conditions at a pivotal moment. While no subsequent national atlases are recorded in this collection, the 1987 volume stands as a landmark in Saint Lucia's cartographic history, influencing later planning documents and providing a baseline for environmental and urban studies. Its legacy lies in its utility: a testament to how small states can harness mapping for governance and development.