Caribbean Travel Guide

History of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Originally colonies of the United Kingdom, Saint Kitts and Nevis along with Anguilla, became an associated state with full internal autonomy in 1967. Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. St. Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In August 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from St. Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. In late September 1998, Hurricane Georges caused approximately $445 million in damages and limited GDP growth for the year.

Politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis

The country is an independent Commonwealth Realm with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state, represented in St. Kitts and Nevis by a governor general, who acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the cabinet. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party of the house, and the cabinet conducts affairs of state.

St. Kitts and Nevis has a unicameral legislature, known as the National Assembly. It is comprised of fourteen members - eleven elected representatives - three of whom are from the island of Nevis - and three members who are appointed by the Governor-General. The three appointed members are known as Senators, with two being appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, and one on the advice of the leader of the opposition. Though they are referred to as Senators, they do not form a separate house of parliament, as in some other countries. Both representatives and senators serve five-year terms. The prime minister and the cabinet are responsible to the Parliament.

Saint Kitts and Nevis are a full & participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Parishes of Saint Kitts and Nevis

There are fourteen parishes:
Christ Church Nichola Town
Saint Anne Sandy Point
Saint George Basseterre
Saint George Gingerland
Saint James Windward
Saint John Capisterre
Saint John Figtree
Saint Mary Cayon
Saint Paul Capisterre
Saint Paul Charlestown
Saint Peter Basseterre
Saint Thomas Lowland
Saint Thomas Middle Island
Trinity Palmetto Point

Economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis was the last sugar monoculture in the Eastern Caribbean. Faced with a sugar industry that was finding it increasingly difficult to earn a profit, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and stimulate the development of other sectors of the economy.

Demographics of Saint Kitts and Nevis

As of July 2000, there were 38 819 inhabitants; their average life expectancy was 70.73 years. Emigration has historically been very high, and the population is about 25% lower than at its peak of about 51,100 in 1960.

Music of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis is an island nation in the Caribbean, known for a number of musical celebrations including Carnival (December 24 to January 2). The last week in June features the St Kitts Music Festival, while the week-long Culturama on Nevis lasts from the end of July into early August. These celebrations typically feature parades, street dances and salsa, jazz, soca, calypso and steelpan music.

Traditional music of Saint Kitts and Nevis

The most well-known kind of traditional music is probably seasonal Christmas songs, though there also chanteys and other songs. Music is also a part of the Tea Meetings which are common on the island, featuring a pair of stentorian male singers in a competitive kind of performance in which hecklers play an important role.