Background: First settled by the British in 1623 the islands 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.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 135 km

Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 24 nm
Extended economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: subtropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors

Natural resources: negligible

Land use: 22% arable land; 17% permanent crops; 3% meadows and pastures; 17% forest and woodland; 41% other

Geography
Note: located 320 km southeast of Puerto Rico

Population: 40,068 (July 1989), growth rate 0.2% (1989)

Nationality: noun--Kittsian(s), Nevisian(s; adjective--Kittsian, Nevisian

Ethnic groups: mainly of black African descent

Languages: English

Religions: Anglican, other Protestant sects, Roman Catholic

Birth rate: 24 births/1000 population (1989)

Death rate: 10 deaths/1000 population (1989)

Net migration rate: - 12 migrants/1000 population (1989)

Environment
Current issues: subject to hurricanes (July to October)

Infant mortality rate: 41 deaths/1000 live births (1989)

Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 70 years female (1989)

Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (1989)

Literacy: 80%

Country name: conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Government type: independent state within Commonwealth, recognizing Elizabeth II as Chief of State

Capital: Basseterre

Administrative divisions: 14 parishs; 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

Independence: 19 September 1983 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983)

Constitution: 19 September 1983

Legal system: based on English common law; highest judicial organ is Court of Appeal of Leeward and Windward Islands

Suffrage: universal adult

Executive branch: Sir Clement ARRINDELL, Governor General (since 1981; Dr. Kennedy Alphonse SIMMONDS, Prime Minister (since 1980)

Legislative branch: Royal St. Kitts and Nevis Police Force

International organization participation: CARICOM, Commonwealth, FAO, IBRD, IMF, ISO, OAS, OECS, UN

Diplomatic representation
In the us: Minister-Counselor (Deputy Chief of Mission), Charge d'Affaires ad interim Erstein M. EDWARDS; Chancery at Suite 540, 2,501 M Street NW, Washington DC 20,037; telephone (202) 833-3,550; US--none

Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red

Economy overview: Although production of sugarcane--the islands' key crop--has declined, expansion of tourism and construction has produced a 4% average annual rate of real GDP growth since 1982.

Agriculture products: sugar on St. Kitts, cotton on Nevis

Industries: sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages

Industrial production growth rate: 5.8% (1986)

Labor force: 20,000 (1981)

Unemployment rate: 20-25% (1987)

Budget: revenues $20.7 million; expenditures $24.4 million, including capital expenditures of $5.9 million (1986)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Exports: $27.2 million (f.o.b., 1987)
Commodities: --sugar, manufactures, postage stamps
Partners: --US 44%, UK 30%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%

Imports: $79.5 million (c.i.f., 1987)
Commodities: --foodstuffs, intermediate manufactures, machinery, fuels
Partners: --US 35%, UK 18%, Trinidad and Tobago 10%, Canada 6%, Japan 4%

Debt external: $23.6 million (December 1987)

Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)

Electricity
Capacity: 11,400 kW capacity; 32 million kWh produced, 800 kWh per capita (1988)

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: NA

Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m