Location
The two-island nation of St. Kitts & Nevis is also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, located in the Leeward Islands. It is the smallest nation in the Americas, in both area and population Nevis is lies about 2 miles (3 km) southeast of St. Kitts, across a shallow channel called "The Narrows".

Size
Total area is 261 sq. km (101 sq. miles).
St. Kitts & Nevis is the smallest nation on Earth to ever host a World Cup event (host venue for the 2007 Cricket World Cup

History
St. Kitts & Nevis were amongst the first islands in the Caribbean to be settled by Europeans. In 1624 St. Kitts was home to the first British and French colonies in the Caribbean. Historically, the British dependency of Anguilla was also a part of this union, which was then known collectively as Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla. Five thousand years prior to European arrival, the island was settled by the Kalinago peoples, who were eventually wiped out in 1626. There is some disagreement as to the origin of the name St. Kitts but the island was well documented as "San Cristobal" by the 17th century and shortened by British colonists to St. Kitt's island. The white clouds, which usually wreathe the top of Nevis Peak inspired the original name, "Nuestra Senora de las Nieves" now shortened to "Nevis". St. Kitts & Nevis achieved independence in 1983.

Population
42,696

Capital
Basseterre located on the south central side of the island before the panhandle. The largest town in Nevis is Charlestown located on the west coast.

Government
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 & Nevis is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

Language
English

Climate
Temperature High/Low Summer 90/76 degrees F. Winter 84/72 degrees F. Average humidity is 71.5%. Annual rainfall averages 55

Tourism Activities & Sightseeing
Nevis boasts important historic sights including the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, the great American statesman. His former home is now a museum Admiral Horatio Nelson met and married Nevisian Fanny Brice in Nevis in 1787 and their marriage license is recorded at Fig Tree Church St. Kitts Royal Golf Club (St. Kitts) and The Four Season's Golf Course (Nevis) are said to be among the Caribbean's finest Nine forts guarded the island's coastline, including the impressive Brimstone Hill Fortress which has been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site today Green vervet monkeys can be seen scampering around in the forests, alongside the roads and throughout Turtle Beach The historic capital city of Basseterre offers sites including Independence Square, Berkley Memorial, St. George's Anglican Church, St. Barnabus Anglican Church, the Georgian House, the National Museum, the Cenotaph (war memorial), Government House and the Port Zante cruise terminal. Other top tourist draws on island are Brimstone Hill (the only manmade UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean), Black Rocks, Bloody Point, Old Road Town, Carib Indian Petroglyphs, Romney Manor and the Caribelle Batik Factory, Belmont Estate, the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, tropical rainforest and extinct volcano Mt. Liamuiga.

Airports
The Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport in St. Kitts is less than 2 miles from downtown Basseterre Newcastle Airport in Nevis is approximately 6 miles outside Charlestown.

Currency
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
Current conversion rate is EC $2.67 for US$1 cash.

Electricity
Voltage is 220-volts - 50 cycles. Appliances rated at 110 volts (North American standard) normally work with a transformer.

Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (except when Eastern daylight Savings time is in effect then it's the same) GMT-4

Driving
On the left.

Flag

The Official Tourism Website of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority
www.stkittstourism.kn

The Official Tourism Website of the Nevis Tourism Authority
www.nevisnaturally.com