Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis form an island nation in the eastern Caribbean Sea, consisting of two forested volcanic islands with beaches, bays and coastal reefs. The smaller settlements lie mostly along the coasts, while the interior remains covered in dense tropical vegetation.

European powers contested control of both islands from the 17th century until Britain secured them permanently. The islands gained independence in 1983 and remained part of the Commonwealth.

The islands carry names from different sources: Christopher Columbus named the larger one after Saint Christopher, while the smaller received the name of a Spanish snow-capped landscape. Visitors experience African-influenced music at street festivals, where steel drums and calypso rhythms echo through the settlements.

English is the official language, and travelers use the Eastern Caribbean dollar or US currency in daily transactions. The international airport receives connections from North America and neighboring islands throughout the year.

A dormant volcanic crater on the larger island holds a freshwater lake at mid-elevation, reachable by a demanding path through rainforest. The hike takes several hours and leads through dense vegetation to the crater rim.

Inception: February 27, 1967

Capital city: Basseterre

Part of: Lesser Antilles, Caribbean

Shares border with: Venezuela, United Kingdom

Address: St Kitts & Nevis

Website: https://gov.kn

GPS coordinates: 17.25051,-62.67260

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:43