basseterre is a very small town which is laid out in a grid pattern. it has four main streets running east-west: bay road, liverpool row, central street and cayon street. the main street running north to south is fort street/bank street, which is home to the bulk of the island's main shops and banks. the city has 2 centres, at the circus, which is geared towards tourism purposes, and the independence square, which contains the cathedral, courthouse and most of the older buildings.