| Motto:
|
Country above Self |
|
|
|
Coat
of Arms |
National
Flower (Poinciana or Flamboyant)
|
Flag |
|
| Location: |
St. Kitts and Nevis is a part of the Leeward Islands
group lying about 427.5 kilometres (225 miles)
south-east of Puerto Rico and to the north of
the Windward group of islands. |
| History: |
Originally settled by Caribs, and by the British
in 1623 who fought with the French for possession.
The island was finally ceded to Britain in 1783
and gained independence in 1983. |
| Elections: |
Last elections held 2004. Next elections due 2009 |
| Ruling
Party: |
St. Kitts/Nevis Labour Party |
| Major
Political Parties: |
St. Kitts/Nevis Labour Party
(SKLP), People's Action Movement (PAM), Nevis
Reformation Party (NFP), Nevis Concerned Citizens
Movement (NCCM). |
| Head
of State: |
H.E. Sir Cuthbert Montraville
Sebastian, Governor General |
| Head
of Government: |
|
| |
Hon.
Dr. Denzil L. Douglas
Prime Minister
DATE
OF BIRTH: 14 January, 1953
MARITAL
STATUS: Single
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor
of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Degrees,
UWI
PROFESSIONAL/POLITICAL
CAREER:
- National
Leader, St. Kitts Labour Party
- President,
St. Kitts and Nevis Medical Association. Student
Representative. Faculty of Medicine Board,
UWI. Secretary, St. Kitts Amateur Football
Association. Public Relations Officer, St.
Paul's Community Council.
- October
1990: Member of delegation of National Democratic
Institute and Council of Freely-elected Heads
of Government which visited Haiti to demonstrate
international support for Haiti's democratic
transition in voter registration.
- December
1990: Member of delegation of Council of Freely-elected
Heads of Government led by President Jimmy
Carter of the Carter Centre, International
Observer to the General Elections in Haiti.
- 1995:
Prime Minister
- 2000:
Re-elected Prime Minister
- 2005:
Re-elected Prime Minister
|
| Economic
Summary: |
Both
islands have pleasant scenery, good beaches
and historic buildings, which have favoured
the development of tourism as the economy's
most promising growth area. A deep-water harbour,
cruise-ship and container facilities are significant
features in this sector's growth.
Agriculture is another important sector. Sugar,
the most important crop, in 1998, recorded production
of an estimated 24,600 tonnes.
The
manufacturing sector is also another potential
growth sector, the main areas being food processing
and production of beverages, and electronic
components.
|
| Airport: |
Golden Rock International |
| Status: |
Independent - 19 September 1983 |
| Capital: |
Basseterre |
| Area: |
269 km2 (102 miles2) |
| Population: |
39,529 (1999) |
| Currency: |
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) |
| GDP
Per Capita (at current prices): |
EC$20,536.8 million(1999) |
| Total
Exports: |
EC$76.8 million (1998) |
| Total
Imports: |
EC$375.6 million(1998) |
| Intra-Regional
Exports: |
EC$2.5
million (1998) |
| Intra-Regional
Imports: |
EC$41.6 million (1998) |
| Business
Hours: |
Commercial:
8:00-12:00 13:00-16:00/16:30 hrs Monday to Friday
Government: 8:00-12:00 13:00-16:00/16:30
hrs Monday to Friday |
| National
Holidays: |
New
Year's Day (01 January); Carnival Day (02 January);
Good Friday; Easter Monday; Labour Day (05 May);
August Monday (first Monday in August); Independence
Day (19 September); Christmas Day (25 December);
Boxing Day (26 December). |
| National
Anthem: |
O
Land of Beauty!
Our country where peace abounds,
Thy children stand free
On the strength of will and love.
With God in all our struggles,
St. Kitts and Nevis be
A nation bound together,
With a common destiny.
As stalwarts we stand
For justice and liberty.
With wisdom and truth
We will serve and honour thee.
No sword nor spear can conquer
For God will surely defend.
His blessings shall forever
To posterity extend.
|
| Highest
National Award: |
Order of the National Hero |
| Favourite
Dish: |
Goat Water (Stew) |
| Date
of CARICOM Membership: |
26 July 1974 |
| Government
web page: |
http://www.stkittsnevis.net
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