Country: St. Kitts and Nevis
Official Name: St. Christopher and Nevis
Election Type: Parliamentary
The twin islands of St Kitts-Nevis are located in the northern part of the Leeward Islands, 19 degrees north of the equator, and separated by a channel two miles wide. St Kitts is 23 miles long, encompassing an area of 68 sq miles; Nevis covers 36 sq miles. Most beaches on the islands are of black volcanic sand and the climate is tropical. St Kitts-Nevis lies within the hurricane belt.
 Geography
- Full name: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
- Capital: Basseterre
- Area: 269 sq km (104 sq miles)
- Terrain: Generally mountainous; highest elevations are 1,156 m. (3,792 ft.) at Mt. Liamuiga on St. Kitts and 985 m; (3,232 ft.) at Nevis peak on Nevis.
- Climate: Tropical.
People
- Nationality: Noun and adjective--Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s).
- Population: 46,000 (UN, 2008)
- Annual growth rate (2007): 1%.
- Ethnic groups: Predominantly of African origin; some of British, Portuguese, and Lebanese descent.
- Religions: Principally Anglican, with Evangelical Protestant and Roman Catholic minorities.
- Languages: English (official).
- Education (2005): Adult literacy--97.8%.
- Health (2007): Infant mortality rate--14.5/1,000. Life expectancy--men 68 years; women 72 years.
- Unemployment (2006): 5.1%.
Government
- Type: Parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth.
- Constitution: 1983.
- Independence: September 19, 1983.
- Branches: Executive--governor general (representing Queen Elizabeth II, head of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative--bicameral Parliament. Judicial--magistrate's courts, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (High Court and Court of Appeals), final appeal to Privy Council in London.
- Administrative subdivisions: 14 parishes.
- Political parties: St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (ruling), People's Action Movement (PAM), Concerned Citizens Movement (a Nevis-based party), and Nevis Reformation Party.
- Suffrage: Universal at 18
Economy
- GDP (2007): $477.4 million.
- GDP growth rate (2006): 5.8%.
- Per capita GDP (2006): $8,546.
- Inflation (2006): 5.25%.
- Natural resources: Negligible.
- Agriculture: Sugarcane, rice, yams, bananas, fish, cotton, peanuts, vegetables.
- Industry: Financial and business services, tourism, construction, clothing, footwear, beverages, and tobacco.
- Trade (2006): Exports--$31 million (merchandise) and $139 million (commercial services); Major markets - United States (91.9%), EU (3.0%), Trinidad and Tobago (2%), Netherlands Antilles (0.8%), St. Vincent and the Grenadines (0.3%); Imports - $210 million (merchandise) and $87 million (commercial services); Major suppliers - United States (57.9%), Trinidad and Tobago (14.1%), European Union (9.3%), Japan (3.8%), and Barbados (2.8%).
- Official exchange rate: EC$2.70 = U.S. $1.
Principal Government Officials
- Head of State - Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General HE Sir Cuthbert Montraville Sebastian GCMG OBE
- Prime Minister - Dr The Hon Denzil Douglas
Description of electoral system
- Parliament name - National Assembly
- Structure of parliament - Unicameral
Main parties in the electoral race:
Party |
Total of seats (2004) |
Labour Party (SKNLP) |
7 |
Concerned Citizens' Movement (CCM) |
2 |
Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) |
1 |
People's Action Movement (PAM) |
1 |
Last Parliamentary election:
- Parliamentary elections were last held on 25 October 2004
- Number of registered electors – 38,865
Sources:
|
CaribbeanElections Network
