Introduction
Background
Carib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British and French began settlement in 1623. At one time united with Anguilla, the islands achieved independence in 1983 as Saint Kitts and Nevis but remain a UK Commonwealth realm.
Geography
Area
total : 261 sq km
land: 261 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Natural resources
arable land
People and Society
Population
total: 55,133
Ethnic groups
African descent 92.5%, mixed 3%, White 2.1%, East Indian 1.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2001 est.)
Languages
English (official)
Religions
Protestant 75.6% (includes Anglican 16.6%, Methodist 15.8%, Pentecostal 10.8%, Church of God 7.4%, Baptist 5.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Wesleyan Holiness 5.3%, Moravian 4.8%, Evangelical 2.1%, Brethren 1.7%, Presbyterian 0.3%), Roman Catholic 5.9%, Hindu 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other 5%, none 8.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)
Population growth rate
0.56% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital
name: Basseterre
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Marcella LIBURD (since 1 February 2023)
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance DREW (since 6 August 2022)
Legislative branch
summary: unicameral National Assembly (15 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Jacinth HENRY-MARTIN (since 15 September 2023)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, tourism-based Caribbean OECS economy; better debt balancing; CARICOM and ECCU member; growing offshore financial and telecommunications hub; environmentally fragile; unique citizenship-driven growth model
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.438 billion (2023 est.)
$1.39 billion (2022 est.)
$1.258 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$30,100 (2023 est.)
$29,200 (2022 est.)
$26,400 (2021 est.)
Exports
$577.568 million (2023 est.)
$546.373 million (2022 est.)
$389.355 million (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
US 61%, India 7%, Trinidad and Tobago 5%, Germany 4%, Canada 3% (2022)
Exports - commodities
measuring instruments, broadcasting equipment, electrical transformers, electrical control boards, ships (2022)
Imports
$674.134 million (2023 est.)
$606.301 million (2022 est.)
$407.417 million (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
US 47%, Italy 9%, Turkey 6%, Trinidad and Tobago 6%, China 5% (2022)
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, plastic products, cars, jewelry (2022)
Page last updated: Wednesday, August 07, 2024
