Saint Kitts and Nevis, Federation of
, island state (
120 sq mi/311 sq km; 1991 est.
pop. 40,300), West Indies, in the Leeward Isls.; Basseterre on
St. Kitts; 17°20'N 62°45'W. The state consists of the isls. of St.
Kitts, also called St. Christopher (
68 sq mi/176 sq km), Nevis
( 50 sq mi/130 sq km), and
Sombrero (
2 sq mi/5.2 sq km). The chief
settlement on Nevis is Charlestown, the birthplace of Alexander
Hamilton. A narrow strait (c.2 mi/3.2 km wide)
separates the 2 larger isls., which are volcanic in origin,
mountainous, and renowned for their scenery. Sugar, molasses, cotton,
and coconuts are exported. Tourism is an important part of the economy,
and a limited degree of mfg. has been developed. St. Kitts and Nevis
were visited by Columbus in 1493, but Eur. settlement did not begin
until the British arrived on St. Kitts in 1623. Fr. settlers came to
the isl. 2 years later. Nevis was 1st settled by the British in 1628.
The Treaty of Paris of 1783 granted the isls. to Britain. They
were part of the colony of the Leeward Isls. (1871-1956) and of the
West Indies Federation (1958-1962). In 1967, together with Anguilla,
they became a self-governing state in association with Great Britain.
Anguilla seceded later that year; it was placed under direct control of
Great Britain and was formally separated from St. Kitts and Nevis in
1980. In 1983 the 2 isls. gained full independence, with provisions
that allow for them to separate if approved by a referendum. In recent
years, there has been strong sentiment on Nevis for independence.
Recently, export-processing industrialization has been encouraged and
tourist development occurred, in the S of St. Kitts.
Capital city or county seat is shown by the symbol
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Basseterre on
St. Kitts; 17°20'N 62°45'W. The state consists of the isls. of St.
Kitts, also called St. Christopher (
68 sq mi/176 sq km), Nevis
( 50 sq mi/130 sq km), and
Sombrero (
2 sq mi/5.2 sq km). The chief
settlement on Nevis is Charlestown, the birthplace of Alexander
Hamilton. A narrow strait (c.2 mi/3.2 km wide)
separates the 2 larger isls., which are volcanic in origin,
mountainous, and renowned for their scenery. Sugar, molasses, cotton,
and coconuts are exported. Tourism is an important part of the economy,
and a limited degree of mfg. has been developed. St. Kitts and Nevis
were visited by Columbus in 1493, but Eur. settlement did not begin
until the British arrived on St. Kitts in 1623. Fr. settlers came to
the isl. 2 years later. Nevis was 1st settled by the British in 1628.
The Treaty of Paris of 1783 granted the isls. to Britain. They
were part of the colony of the Leeward Isls. (1871-1956) and of the
West Indies Federation (1958-1962). In 1967, together with Anguilla,
they became a self-governing state in association with Great Britain.
Anguilla seceded later that year; it was placed under direct control of
Great Britain and was formally separated from St. Kitts and Nevis in
1980. In 1983 the 2 isls. gained full independence, with provisions
that allow for them to separate if approved by a referendum. In recent
years, there has been strong sentiment on Nevis for independence.
Recently, export-processing industrialization has been encouraged and
tourist development occurred, in the S of St. Kitts.
