|
Motto: |
Country above Self |
|
Location: |
St. Kitts and Nevis is a part of the
Leeward Islands group lying about 427.5 kilometers (225 miles)
south-east of Puerto Rico and to the north of the Windward group of
islands.
|
Geographic
coordinates: |
17 20 N, 62 45 W |
|
|
History: |
Originally settled by Carib Amerindians and
by the British in 1623 who fought with the French for possession. The
island was finally ceded to Britain in 1783 and gained independence in
1983. |
|
Ruling Party: |
St. Kitts. Labor
Party |
|
Major Political Parties: |
St. Kitts Labor
Party
(SKLP), People's
Action Movement (PAM), Nevis Reformation Party (NFP), Nevis Concerned
Citizens Movement (NCCM). |
|
Economic Summary: |
Both islands have pleasant scenery, good beeches and historic
buildings, which have favored the development of tourism as the
economy's most promising growth area. A deep-water harbor,
cruise-ship and container facilities are significant features in this
sector's growth.
Agriculture is another important sector. Sugar, the most
important crop, in 1998 recorded production of an estimated 24,600 tons.
The manufacturing sector is also another potential growth sector, the
main areas being food processing and production of beverages, and
electronic components.
|
|
Airport: |
Golden Rock International |
|
Status: |
Independent - 19 September 1983 |
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Capital: |
Basseterre |
|
Head of Government: |
Dr.
The Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, Prime Minister
since 1995 |
|
Head of State: |
H.E. Sir Cuthbert Montraville Sebastian,
Governor General |
|
Area: |
269 square kilometres (102 square miles) |
|
Population: |
42,600 (1997) |
|
Currency: |
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) |
|
GDP Per Capita (at current market prices): |
EC$17,425 m(1997) |
|
Total Exports: |
EC$76.8m (1998) |
|
Total Imports: |
EC$375.6 (1998) |
|
Intra-Regional Exports: |
EC$2.5m (1998) |
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Intra-Regional Imports: |
EC$41.6m (1998) |
|
Business Hours: |
Commercial: 8:00-12:00
13:00-16:00/16:30 hrs Monday to Friday
Government: 8:00-12:00
13:00-16:00/16:30 hrs Monday to Friday
|
|
National Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January); Carnival Day
(02 January); Good Friday; Easter Monday; Labor Day (05 May); August
Monday (first Monday in August); Independence Day (19 September);
Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day (26 December) |
|
Date of CARICOM Membership: |
26 July 1974 |
|
National Anthem: |
O Land of Beauty!
Our country where peace abounds,
Thy children stand free
On the strength of will and love.
With God in all our struggles,
St. Kitts and Nevis be
A nation bound together,
With a common destiny.
As stalwarts we stand
For justice and liberty.
With wisdom and truth
We will serve and honor thee.
No sword nor spear can conquer
For God will surely defend.
His blessings shall forever
To posterity extend.
|
|
Highest National Award: |
Order of the National Hero |
|
National Dish: |
Goat Water (Stew) |
|
International Disputes |
joins other Caribbean
states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human
habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend
its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean
Sea |
