Places / North & Central America
Saint Kitts & Nevis
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At a glance
- Region
- Caribbean
- Capital
- Basseterre
- Population
- 47,000 (2024)
- Area
- 261 km²
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD)
- Drives on the
- left
- Calling code
- +1 869
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Before you go
Overview
The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis is an island country located at the west of Indies. It is the smallest in population and area in the western region counties. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state.
The country recorded a population of 52,441 in 2018 and covers an area of 269.4 km2.
Its capital city is Basseterre located on the larger island of Saint Kitts and Charlestown located on the smaller island of Nevis.
A beach on the island of Nevis
History
Christopher Columbus arrived on the island in 1493 and named it Saint Kitts after his patron Saint Christopher.
St Kitts and Nevis were initially two separate territories. And the British colonized St Kitts in 1623 and Nevis in 1628.
Later, the two territories jointly gained independence in 1983 forming one country.
Food & culture
Its culture is influenced by British culture.
The crops grown in the country are sweet potatoes, rice, onions, yams, tomatoes, cabbages, carrots and bananas.
The most popular dishes are pelau, rikkita beef, roti and goat water stew.
Wildlife
Common wildlife animals living in the country are hawksbill turtle, spinner dolphins, humpback whales and sea turtles.
Festivals & events
The common events held in the country are St. Kitts Music Festival, Independence Day, Battle of St. Kitts reenactment, Culturama, St Kitts Carnival and Latin Fiesta.
Things to see
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a preserved fort that lies on a hill and is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Frigate Bay is the title of two bays close to each other near Basseterre.
Mount Liamuiga is a 3,792 m stratovolcano on the western region of Saint Kitts Island.
Other must-visit places are South Friars Bay, Pinney’s beach and St. Kitts Scenic Railway.
Interesting facts
On the western hemisphere, Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest country by population and area.
St. Nevis Island was given that name by Christopher Columbus for it looked like a snow-capped mountain whose Spanish title is nieves.
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest fortress ever built in the Western Caribbean.
People living on the island of Saint Kitts are called Kittians while those on the island of Nevis are called Nevisians.
Neighbours
Saint Kitts & Nevis has no land borders with other countries.
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