The nation of St. Kitts & Nevis has been independent since 1983 and is officially known in the constitution as Saint Christopher and Nevis. As well as a tourist destination, St. Kitts, the larger of the two islands, has emerged as an international financial center and is home to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, two important pillars of the regions Financial Sector.
St. Kitts & Nevis is one of the most tranquil locations in the Caribbean, with unspoiled tropical forests, lush organic farmland and wide open beaches. The islands possess a stunning variety of activities and attractions, which include cycling, diving, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, sailing, snorkeling, sport fishing, and taking a scenic railway which connects the island’s former sugar plantations. Other attractions include the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World heritage site dubbed the “Gibraltar of the Caribbean,” which gives visitors an awe-inspiring view of the Caribbean Sea. There is also the Alexander Hamilton Museum in Nevis, which highlights the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the first Secretary of the United States Treasury.
Island Facts
Location
- The nation of St. Kitts & Nevis is located in the Eastern Caribbean, just east of the Virgin Islands
- It is roughly 1,200 miles from Miami, 1,600 miles from New York, 4,000 miles from London and about 45 minutes by plane from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands
Geography
- The larger of the two islands, St. Kitts is 68 square miles and home to the capital, Basseterre
- The sister island Nevis lies to the south and has a land area of 36 square miles
- The current population approximately is 51,000
Language
- English is the official language
Climate
- Average year-round air temperature of 84°F / 28°C, with water at surrounding beaches a few degrees cooler
Government
- St. Kitts & Nevis is a parliamentary democracy and an independent state within the British commonwealth
- The Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II, who is locally represented by a Governor General
Currency
- The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD$) is pegged to the US Dollar at US$1.00 XCD = XCD$2.70
- US bills are accepted by most stores and businesses and change is given in E.C. currency
Economy
- No taxes on worldwide income
- Tourism, agriculture and light manufacturing
- A number of major international banks operate in St. Kitts & Nevis
Culture
- St. Kitts plays host to concerts, festivals, and performances year-round
- Held each June, the St. Kitts Music Festival features live performances of everyone from Grammy-winning artists to the island’s own musicians playing reggae, calypso, R&B and more
Accessibility
- Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International airport is easily accessed by direct flights from London, Miami, New York, as well as other major airports
- Visa-free travel to over 130 countries
Distinctions
- In 2012, St. Kitts & Nevis was ranked #3 on the list of “10 Best Islands in the World” by US News & World Report
- It outranked other Caribbean destinations such as Cayman Islands, St. Maarten and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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