Saint Kitts and Nevis

1493 (November 22, Wednesday): Christopher Columbus discovers Saint Kitts during his second voyage to the Americas

1623 (January 13, Monday): English settlers arrive on Saint Kitts, founding the first permanent European settlement in the Caribbean

1783 (September 3, Friday): Treaty of Paris ends the American Revolution, and Saint Kitts and Nevis become part of the British Empire

1983 (September 19, Monday): Saint Kitts and Nevis gains independence from the United Kingdom

1998 (November 11, Wednesday): Severe flooding from heavy rainfall affects parts of Saint Kitts and Nevis

2005 (December 24, Saturday): Hurricane Katrina causes damage to the islands but not as severely as to neighboring regions

2011 (October 29, Saturday): Hurricane Rina causes coastal flooding and damage to infrastructure

2015 (October 9, Friday): Severe flooding following tropical storm Erika

2020 (March 14, Saturday): Saint Kitts and Nevis enforces COVID-19-related restrictions to control the pandemic

2022 (April 7, Thursday): Flash floods and landslides from heavy rainfall cause damage to infrastructure on Saint Kitts

2023 (September 16, Saturday): Minor earthquake tremors are recorded off the coast, felt across the islands

Continent: North America (Caribbean)
Location: Caribbean Sea, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean
Capital: Basseterre
Language: English
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
Population: ~53,000 (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST)

Borders: None (island nation)
Landscape: Volcanic mountains, tropical rainforests, coastal plains, and beaches
Major Rivers: Saint Kitts River, The Great River
Major Mountains: Mount Liamuiga (Saint Kitts), Nevis Peak (Nevis)
Deserts: None
Lakes: None
Volcanoes: Mount Liamuiga (active volcano)
Highest Point: Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m / 3,793 ft)
Lowest Point: Caribbean Sea (0 m / 0 ft)
Climate: Tropical climate, with a dry season from December to April and a wet season from May to November
Geological Features: Volcanic origins, rainforests, and coastal beaches

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly African descent, with a small percentage of Europeans, East Indians, and others
Religion: Christianity (predominantly Protestant, with Roman Catholicism as a significant minority)
Urban Population: ~30% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~10% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Beautiful beaches, music (calypso, soca, reggae), and historical sites
Cuisine: Saltfish, goat stew, cassava, rice and peas, plantains
Arts: Traditional music, dance, crafts, and festivals like Carnival
Sports: Cricket, football (soccer), athletics, and sailing

Economy Type: Service-based, with tourism and agriculture as major sectors
GDP: Approx. $1.2 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Tourism, agriculture (sugar, bananas, coconuts), manufacturing
Key Exports: Sugar, bananas, clothing, electronics, rum
Unemployment Rate: ~6.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Primary focus on tourism and services, small-scale agriculture

Government Type: Federal parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Terrence Drew (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Terrence Drew (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (National Assembly and Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 1983

Basseterre: Historical sites, Independence Square, St. George’s Anglican Church
Nevis: Nevis Peak, natural hot springs, and secluded beaches
Brimstone Hill Fortress: UNESCO World Heritage site, a historic military stronghold
Sugar Plantation Ruins: Historical sugar plantations, slave ruins, and heritage museums
Beaches: Frigate Bay, Cockleshell Bay, Pinney’s Beach