Pitons
| Pitons Management Area | |
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Aerial view of The Pitons
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| Location | Southwestern Saint Lucia |
| Nearest city | Soufrière and Choiseul |
| Coordinates | 13°48′36″N 61°3′56″W / 13.81000°N 61.06556°WCoordinates: 13°48′36″N 61°3′56″W / 13.81000°N 61.06556°W |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | vii, viii |
| Designated | 2004 (28th session) |
| Reference no. | 1161 |
| State Party | Saint Lucia |
| Region | Latin America and the Caribbean |
The Pitons are two mountainous volcanic plugs, volcanic spires, located in Saint Lucia. The Gros Piton is 771 metres (2,530 ft) high, and the Petit Piton is 743 metres (2,438 ft) high; they are linked by the Piton Mitan ridge. The Pitons are a World Heritage Site 2,909 ha (7,190 acres) in size and located near the town of Soufrière.
The Pitons (Peaks in French) are located near the towns of Soufrière, Saint Lucia. Soufrière and Choiseul Quarter Choiseul on the southwestern coast of the island. They are in the electoral districts of three and ten. The Pitons are located on either side of the Jalousie Bay.
Coral reefs cover almost 60% of the site’s marine area. A survey has revealed 168 species of finfish, 60 species of cnidaria, including corals, eight molluscs, 14 sponges, 11 echinoderms, 15 arthropods and eight annelid worms. The dominant terrestrial vegetation is tropical moist forest grading to subtropical wet forest, with small areas of dry forest and wet elfin woodland on the summits. At least 148 plant species have been recorded on Gros Piton, 97 on Petit Piton and the intervening ridge, among them eight rare tree species. The Gros Piton is home to some 27 bird species (five of them endemic), three indigenous rodents, one opossum, three bats, eight reptiles and three amphibians.
The volcanic complex includes a geothermal field with sulphurous fumaroles and hot springs.
Saint Lucia's local brand of beer made by the Windward & Leeward Brewery is named after the Pitons.
Both mountains are an attraction for hikers although the Gros Piton peak is more popular since it is an easier climb and tours are offered by The Soufrière Foundation, a non-profit group that’s dedicated to help preserve the Pitons Management Area.
The Pitons, Soufrière, and the Caribbean Sea
Petit Piton from Gros Piton
Pitons from northern view point
Gros Piton seen from the Piton Mitan ridge
Petit Piton seen from the Piton Mitan ridge
Gros Piton (left) and Petit Piton seen from the north-east
Pitons in 1903
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Wikipedia