General

Island: St. Kitts.

Country: St. Kitts & Nevis (KN).

Nationality: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)

Language: English.

Capital: Basseterre (Saint Kitts). Charlestown (Nevis).

Population: 35,000 (July 2010 est.).

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

Geography

Area: 168 sq km (Saint Kitts & Nevis 261 sq km total).

Coastline: 78 km.

Geographic coordinates: 17°15' N 62°45' W.

Highest point: Mount Liamuiga, formerly Mount Misery, a dormant volcano, 1,156 m (3,792 feet).

Location: About one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago.

Size: St. Kitts is 23 miles long and 5 miles across at its widest.

Terrain: Volcanic with mountainous interiors.
 

Tourist Information

Accommodations: Resorts, Hotels, Apartments, Guest houses. The cheapest way to stay in St. Kitts and Nevis is a private accomodation.

Activities: Cycling, diving, fishing, golf, sailing, snorkeling, watersports, Casino gaming.

Average tourist arrivals: 88,000 (St. Kitts & Nevis).

Crime: Petty street crime occurs in St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as the occasional burglary; visitors and residents should take common-sense precautions.

Electricity: 230 Volts, 60 cycles. Most hotels have 110 volts. Outlets generally accept 2 types of plug, three round pins arranged in a triangle and two parallel flat pins with ground pin.

Entry Requirements: When traveling by air, U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport. When traveling by sea, all U.S. travelers must have a U.S. passport or U.S. passport card. Visitors may be asked to present an onward / return ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of their visit. .

Extension of stay: Persons who wish to remain longer than the period granted by the immigration authorities must apply for an extension from the Ministry of National Security in Basseterre, St Kitts or the Immigration office in Charlestown, Nevis. The applicant is required to submit an airline ticket, valid passport, ED (immigration) card and the required fee. The applicable fee is EC$50 per month for the first three months, and EC$75 per month for each month thereafter. Visitors from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom may be granted stay for up to a maximum of six months. Visitors from other countries may stay for up to a maximum of 3 months.

Sleep: Both Saint Kitts and Nevis are quiet islands, so you can expect a good sleep.

Telephone: The international country code is 1-869.

Time: EST +1; GMT -4.
 

Money

Cost of living: Moderate. Bassterre is ranked number 213 of the most expensive places in the world (Barbados 108, Tampa Fla 235).

Credit cards: Credits cards are relatively widely accepted in St Kitts and Nevis.

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (EC$). EC$ 1.00 = US$ 0.37; US$1.00 = EC$ 2.70.

Tipping: Hotels and restaurants collect a Government tax of 9 % in St Kitts and 8 % in Nevis. A service charge of 10 % may also be added to your bill. Additional tipping is not necessary, but if you do decide to tip, 10 % to 15 % of the bill is recommended.

Air Transport

Airport: Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB), located just northeast of Basseterre. Scheduled service with American Airlines to Miami and New York-JFK; American Eagle to San Juan; British Airways  to Antigua and London-Gatwick; Delta Air Lines to Atlanta; LIAT to Antigua, Nevis, San Juan and Sint Maarten; US Airways to Charlotte and Philadelphia; Winair to Antigua and Sint Maarten.

Departure Tax: US$ 22 or EC$ 58 for visitors.

Flight Times: Miami 3 hours, New York 4 hours, London 8 hours.
 

Water Transport

Ferry Service: There are three ferry services operating between St Kitts and Nevis. 

Ports and harbors: Ships dock at Port Zante, a cruise-ship pier and marina in Basseterre. .
 

Politics

Ethnic groups: Predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese.

Government type: Parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm.

Legal system: Based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.

Religions: Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic.
 

Economy

Agriculture-products: Sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish.

GDP per capita: US$ 14,700 (2009 est.).

Industries: Tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages.

Natural resources: Arable land.

Unemployment rate: 4.5 % (1997).