According to the Constitution, the two official names are St Kitts and Nevis or St Christopher and Nevis. With coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a three-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island.
Geography
Geographic coordinates
17 20 N, 62 45 W
Area
total: 261 sq km
Saint Kitts : 168 sq km
Nevis : 93 sq km
People
Population
39,349 (July 2007 est.)
Languages
English
Government
Head of Government
Dr. The Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, Prime Minister
Capital
Basseterre
Government type
constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliament
Independence
19 September 1983 (from UK)
Constitution
19 September 1983
Legal system
based on English common law
Date of OECS Membership
18th June 1981
Economy
GDP
purchasing power parity - $339 million (2002 est.)
