The former British colony of St Kitts
(also known as St Christopher) and Nevis is inhabited mostly by
descendants of West African slaves. Endowed with beaches, scenery and a
warm sunny climate, which gives it great tourist potential, it is,
however, also vulnerable to hurricanes, one of which in 1998 destroyed 85%
of all buildings. The islands of St Kitts and Nevis have
been in an uneasy federation since independence from Britain in 1983, with
some politicians in Nevis saying that the federal government in St Kitts -
which is home to the majority of the population - had ignored the needs of
the people of Nevis. However, a referendum on secession held in Nevis in
1998 failed to gain the two-thirds majority required to break away. St Kitts and Nevis is heavily dependent
on agriculture; however, tourism and a growing offshore financial industry
are becoming increasingly important to the economy. By the end of the 20th
century Nevis boasted more than 10,000 offshore businesses operating under
strict secrecy laws, a fact which also made the islands a target for drugs
traffickers and money launderers. Like
other Caribbean countries, St Kitts and Nevis has found itself
increasingly a transit point for illegal drugs bound for the United States
- and the subject of allegations that its political and judicial systems
had become corrupted by drugs and money laundering. ST
KITTS AND NEVIS FACTS Population:
39,000 Capital:
Basseterre Major
language: English Major
religion: Christianity Life
expectancy: 68 years (men), 74
years (women) Monetary
unit: 1 East Caribbean dollar =
100 cents Main
exports: Sugarcane, foodstuffs,
electronics, beverages, tobacco Average
annual income: US $6,660 Internet
domain: .kn International dialing code: +869 Source and for additional information click BBC News - Country Profiles
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