CARICOM Member since July 26, 1974 Government Website
St Kitts and Nevis flag
Also Known As: Mother Colony of the West Indies

St Kitts and Nevis

Official Name: St Kitts and Nevis
Population 52,650 (2010)
Date of Independence September 19, 1983
Country above Self

About St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis is a twin-island nation located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Both islands were formed through volcanic activity and are characterised by mountainous terrain. Saint Kitts is a fertile island known for its dark volcanic, black-sand beaches, while Nevis is encircled by coral reefs and features distinctive silver-coloured sandy beaches.

Quasi Cabinet Portfolio Allocation

Human Resource Development, Health and HIV/AIDS

About St Kitts and Nevis

Key facts

Date of Membership in CARICOM: 26 Jul 1974 Also Known as:Mother Colony of the West Indies Status of Independence:Independent Area: 269 sq km (104 miles2) Capital City: Basseterre Population: 54,000 (2013) Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) Highest National Award: Order of the National Hero

Economy

GDP Growth: 0.9% p.a. 2009–13 GNI: US$724m GNI PC: US$13,460

Key dates in history

1493   Arrival of Columbus on island known to Amerindians as ‘ Laimuiga’ fertile land which Columbus is Said to have renamed ‘San Cristobal’ (St Christopher) after himself known to Amerindians as ‘Oualie’ renamed by Columbus ‘las Nieves” referring to the cloud- covered Nevis peak said to Remind him of snow capped mountains in Spain 1623   First British settlement in the West Indies 1690   Severe earth quake and tidal wave destroyed what is believed to be the first capital of Nevis (James Town) 1783   Ceded to Britain following shared use with France 1816   Together with Anguilla and British Virgin Island administered as single British Colony 1871   Incorporated within Leeward Islands Federation 1958   Member of West Indies Federation (St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla) 1967   Associated Statehood with Britain (full internal self-government) within WISA. Robert L. Bradshaw, first Premier 1980   Formal dissolution of association with Anguilla 1983   Achieved independence as a federation. Dr. Kennedy A. Simmonds, first Prime Minister
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Key Dates in History

  1. 1968

    Territory joins CARIFTA.

  2. 1974

    Joins CARICOM.

  3. 1983

    Achieves Independence.

  4. 1989

    Supports Grand Anse Declaration.

  5. 1993

    Participates in regional OECS integration initiatives.

  6. 2001

    Signs Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

  7. 2005

    Participates in CCJ framework.

  8. 2006

    Joins CSME implementation.

  9. 2019

    Advances sustainable island development agenda regionally.

  10. 2023

    Celebrates forty years of Independence within CARICOM.

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