Saint Kitts and Nevis

QUICK FACTS

Capital: Basseterre

Official Language: English

Status: Independent 19 September 1983

Area: 269 sq Km, 104 sq Mi

Population: 52,650 (2010)

Currency: East Caribbean dollar

Motto: Country above Self

 

Mother  Colony of the West Indies

The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, located in the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island state in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign state in the Americas, in both area and population. Carib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British began settlement in 1623. In 1967, the island territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla became an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy.

 

MINISTRY AND MINISTER

 

Hon. Shawn Richards

Minister of Public Infrastructure, Utilities, Posts, and Urban Development

 

Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Utilities, Posts, and Urban Development 

Government Headquarters,

Church Street,

Basseterre

Tel: 869 467-1450

Email: pwutp@yahoo.com / shawn.richards@gov.kn

CARICOM ENERGY FOCAL POINT

 

Mr. Darell Lloyd

Tel: 868 467 1450 / 868 467 1466

Email: darell.lloyd@gov.kn

 

DATE OF CARICOM MEMBERSHIP

 

26 July, 1974

Energy Policy

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Energy Report Card

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Location

St. Kitts and Nevis is located in the Leeward’s Islands group in the eastern Caribbean. A channel of about 3.2 km in width separates the two islands.

 

History

St Kitts and Nevis was originally settled by the Amerindians (Caribs) and by the British in 1623, who fought with the French for possession. The islands were finally ceded to Britain in 1783, and gained independence in 1983.

 

Economic Summary

Both islands have pleasant scenery, good beaches and historic buildings, which have favoured the development of tourism as the economy’s most promising growth area. A deep-water harbour, cruise-ship and container facilities are significant features in this sector’s growth.

In the agricultural sector, sugar was the main crop for generations. St. Kitts and Nevis has, however, decided to stop sugar production as the sector became less economically viable.

There is also economic development in the manufacturing sectors. The main areas include food processing and production of beverages and electronic components.

Airport

Robert Llewlyn Bradshaw International (St. Kitts); Vance Amory International (Nevis)

 

Business Hours

Commercial: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon to 4/4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday

Government: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, 1:00 p.m. to 4/4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday

 

National Holidays

New Year’s Day, January 1;Carnival Day, January 2; Good Friday; Easter Monday; Labour Day, May 5;Whit Monday; Emancipation Day, first Monday in August; Culturama Day (sometime in  August); national Heroes’ Day, September 16; Independence Day, September 19; Christmas Day December 25; Boxing Day December 26.  Holidays that fall on a Sunday are observed the following Monday.

 

Date of CARICOM Membership

26 July, 1974

 

The Flag

Green – Fertility

Red  – Struggle for independence

Black – African heritage

Yellow – Sunshine

White Stars   – Hope and freedom