Saint Kitts and Nevis Facts.

Despite being a country practically unheard of, Saint Kitts and Nevis is a land with much to see. It is the smallest sovereign state in the Americas, but just like its neighboring countries, it is very rich in culture. Here, you will find several old ruins; stone churches and quaint villages that will make you think you have traveled back into the past. With its fortunate location in the Caribbean, you will also get to discover its lush mountains and natural beauty, especially when it comes to its beaches. There is much flora and fauna to see for any nature lover.

Saint Kitts and Nevis – Interesting and Important Facts

St. Kitts and Nevis is located in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago. It covers an area of 269 square kilometers (104 square miles).

St Kitts is larger than Nevis and is roughly oval shaped except for a narrow, long peninsula to the southeast.

Nevis is surrounded by coral reefs and is almost a single mountain with a height of 3,232 feet.

Charlestown is the largest town in Nevis. Charlestown is the capital of the island of Nevis, in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Leeward Islands, West Indies. Charlestown is situated on the leeward side of the island of Nevis, near the southern end of Pinneys Beach.

St. Kitts and Nevis was once known as the Gibraltar of the West Indies. Its volcanic vantage point offering lines of sight to nearby Nevis, St. Eustatius, and Saba.

The full name of St Kitts and Nevis is Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis

The average life expectancy of its population is 68 years for men and 71 years for women.

Caribbean Sea at 0 meters is the lowest point in the region.

Mount Liamuiga, at 1,156 meters, is the highest point in the region. Mount Liamuiga gets its name from the original name of the island of St. Kitts. It means “fertile island.”

Both the islands are volcanic with a warm, wet climate and sandy beaches.

People on St Kitts are called Kittitians and on Nevis they are called Nevisians.

When Christopher Columbus discovered the island, he named it after his patron saint, St. Christopher. Later it was shortened to St. Kitts, his nickname. It was considered the mother colony of the West Indies.

St. Kitts and Nevis has only 2 airports (Nevis airport and St. Kitts airport).

Saint Kitts and Nevis – Cool, Fun and Funny Facts

The center of both islands- Saint Kitts and Nevis is dominated by a volcanic mountain and chain.

These two islands are the Caribbean’s oldest colonized territories.

Basseterre is the only port and terminal in the country. Basseterre estimated population 15,500 in 2000, is the capital of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies.

Both St. Kitts and Nevis are volcanic islands. Because of this they have very dramatic central mountains and have had rather unpredictable geologic history with lush tropical vegetation.

They have white beaches and black volcanic beaches depending on what side of the island you are on. One side of the island has black beaches while the other has white beaches.

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a two island country in the Caribbean and is the smallest country in the America both in area and population.

Christopher Columbus also named the other island Nevis because it looked like a snow capped mountain and the Spanish word for snow is nieves.

St. Kitts’ economy is based largely on sugar cultivation and tourism, with the latter poised for strong growth in the wake of major recent infrastructure improvements.

A seaport facility is being developed at Long Point on the south west coast of Nevis. Though oriented to cargo handling, the port will provide a berth for mini cruise ships as well.

Saint Kitts and Nevis – Historical and Cultural Facts

In 1493, Carib people were inhabitants of the islands when Christopher Columbus explored it.

In 1782, the islands came under permanent British control after a crucial British victory over the French at Brimstone Hill. Mostly descendants of African slaves inhabit the islands today.

In 1983, Saint Kitts and Nevis got its independence from Britain.

In 1958 St. Kitts and Nevis joined the West Indies Federation and remained in that association until its dissolution in 1962.

The English began to settle the islands in 1623 and St. Kitts was the first English colony in the Caribbean. Over the next several years the English and the French would fight over the island. Eventually the English took full control.

Most inhabitants of the islands engaged in basic agriculture and lived very simply.

People usually live in towns and villages ranging from twenty to a few hundred residents in size. The villages often contain a general store and sometimes a post office and are characterized by groupings of houses that reflect kinship connections.

Sociability is a distinguishing characteristic of the islands and often is commented on by visitors.

The islands are known for “goat water,” a stew usually made from the neck bones and meat of goats.

Marriage is undertaken as both a social responsibility and a sign of adulthood. The reasons given for marriage emphasize love, though parents pressure children, especially females, who are old enough to marry but are not involved in socializing.