Saint Kitts and Nevis

Brimstone Hill Fortress, Saint Kitts
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BrimstoneHill02.jpg
Author: Ukexpat


Saint Kitts and Nevis is a nation comprising two main islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is located in the Leeward Islands in the West Indies. The country is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. Saint Kitts and Nevis cover just 261 sq km (104 sq mi) and has a population of 51,300 (2011 estimate). The capital is Basseterre, on the island of Saint Kitts.

Saint Kitts and Nevis is four hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-4). The East Caribbean dollar (XCD) is used here. The traffic is driven on the left here, just as in Britain. The phone IDD code is +1-869.

Brimstone Hill Fortress, Saint Kitts
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Basseterre_st_georges_angl.jpeg
Author: J. Stephen Conn
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The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis is today supported primarily by tourism, along with the traditional industries including agriculture and light manufacturing. The islands, as with much of the West Indies, depended on growing sugar cane as the primary commodity, and the landscape is still dotted with sugar plantations.

In 2009, Saint Kitts and Nevis had an estimated nominal GDP of $557 million, equivalent to a per capita nominal GDP of $10,315. The per capita GDP at purchasing power parity was $13,429.

The islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis were inhabited by the Kalinago tribe which arrived about three centuries before the Europeans. The islands were one of the earliest to be discovered, with Christopher Columbus arriving there in 1493. French Huguenots attempted to settle there in 1538 but were repelled by the Spanish.

Scenic view of Saint Kitts
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stkitts-view-lookingatsea.jpg
Author: Nesnad


The English established their settlement at Saint Kitts in 1623, with the French returning soon after, and both powers agreed to divide the island between them. However in 1629 the Spanish sent an expedition which ousted both the English and the French, but they returned and reestablished their colonies. In 1713, Saint Kitts was formally ceded to the British.

Saint Kitt and Nevis, along with Anguilla, received full internal autonomy in 1967. Anguilla separated from the federation in 1971.

Planning your visit to Saint Kitts and Nevis

Visitors who do not need a visa include the citizens of the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States (except the Dominican Republic), Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, along with Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. Visitors from the United States must mail their original visa application to the Embassy of Saint Kitts and Nevis in Washington, DC, along with their passport, with at least 6-month validity, 2 passport-size photographs and a $50 visa fee, and a postage fee of $5 by regular mail and $15.75 by express overnight.

There are regular flights to Saint Kitts and Nevis from San Juan (Puerto Rico), Puerto Rico, as well as from Miami and New York City.

Major Towns in Saint Kitts and Nevis

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