Saint Kitts & Nevis

The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is an island nation in the Caribbean.

History

Main article: History of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Originally colonies of the United Kingdom, Saint Kitts and Nevis along with Anguilla, became an associated state with full internal autonomy in 1967. Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. St. Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In August 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from St. Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. In late September 1998, Hurricane Georges caused approximately $445 million in damages and limited GDP growth for the year.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis

The country is an independent Commonwealth Realm with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state, represented in St. Kitts and Nevis by a governor general, who acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the cabinet. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party of the house, and the cabinet conducts affairs of state.

St. Kitts and Nevis has a unicameral legislature, known as the National Assembly. It is comprised of fourteen members - eleven elected representatives - three of whom are from the island of Nevis - and three members who are appointed by the Governor-General. The three appointed members are known as Senators, with two being appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, and one on the advice of the leader of the opposition. Though they are referred to as Senators, they do not form a separate house of parliament, as in some other countries. Both representatives and senators serve five-year terms. The prime minister and the cabinet are responsible to the Parliament.

Saint Kitts and Nevis are a full & participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Parishes

There are fourteen parishes:

Christ Church Nichola Town

Saint Anne Sandy Point

Saint George Basseterre

Saint George Gingerland

Saint James Windward

Saint John Capisterre

Saint John Figtree

Saint Mary Cayon

Saint Paul Capisterre

Saint Paul Charlestown

Saint Peter Basseterre

Saint Thomas Lowland

Saint Thomas Middle Island

Trinity Palmetto Point

Geography

Main article: Geography of Saint Kitts and Nevis

The country has two main islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis. The highest peak is Mount Liamuiga, which tops at 1 156 m.

List of cities in Saint Kitts and Nevis
Economy
Main article: Economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis was the last sugar monoculture in the Eastern Caribbean. Faced with a sugar industry that was finding it increasingly difficult to earn a profit, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and stimulate the development of other sectors of the economy.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Saint Kitts and Nevis

As of July 2000, there were 38 819 inhabitants; their average life expectancy was 70.73 years. Emigration has historically been very high, and the population is about 25% lower than at its peak of about 51,100 in 1960.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Saint Kitts and Nevis

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