2017 Edition

Background

Carib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British began settlement in 1623. In 1967, the island territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla became an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. The remaining islands achieved independence in 1983 as Saint Kitts and Nevis. In 1998, a referendum on Nevis to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority vote needed. Nevis continues in its efforts to separate from Saint Kitts.

Area

261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km) 261 sq km 0 sq km

land

261 sq km

total

261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km)

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Coastline

135 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point

Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion and silting affects marine life on coral reefs; water pollution from uncontrolled dumping of sewage

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

17 20 N, 62 45 W

Geography - note

smallest country in the Americas and Western Hemisphere; with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-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

Irrigated land

8 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

23.1% arable land 19.2%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 3.5% 42.3% 34.6% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

23.1%

forest

42.3%

other

34.6% (2011 est.)

Location

Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

hurricanes (July to October) Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m) on Saint Kitts, and Nevis Peak (985 m) on Nevis, are both volcanoes that are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

volcanism

Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m) on Saint Kitts, and Nevis Peak (985 m) on Nevis, are both volcanoes that are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

Natural resources

arable land

Population - distribution

population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands

Terrain

volcanic with mountainous interiors

Age structure

20.32% (male 5,378/female 5,332) 14.54% (male 3,689/female 3,978) 44.6% (male 12,070/female 11,441) 11.9% (male 3,130/female 3,142) 8.64% (male 2,107/female 2,448) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

20.32% (male 5,378/female 5,332)

15-24 years

14.54% (male 3,689/female 3,978)

25-54 years

44.6% (male 12,070/female 11,441)

55-64 years

11.9% (male 3,130/female 3,142)

65 years and over

8.64% (male 2,107/female 2,448) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

13.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

7.1 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 98.3% of population rural: 98.3% of population total: 98.3% of population urban: 1.7% of population rural: 1.7% of population total: 1.7% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1.7% of population

total

1.7% of population (2015 est.)

urban

1.7% of population

Education expenditures

4.2% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese

Health expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.3 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

8.4 deaths/1,000 live births 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births 10.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

10.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

5.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

8.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

75.9 years 73.5 years 78.4 years (2017 est.)

female

78.4 years (2017 est.)

male

73.5 years

total population

75.9 years

Major urban areas - population

BASSETERRE (capital) 14,000 (2014)

Median age

35 years 35.2 years 34.8 years (2017 est.)

female

34.8 years (2017 est.)

male

35.2 years

total

35 years

Nationality

Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s) Kittitian, Nevisian

adjective

Kittitian, Nevisian

noun

Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)

Net migration rate

1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.9% (2016)

Population

52,715 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands

Population growth rate

0.73% (2017 est.)

Religions

Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic

Sanitation facility access

urban: 87.3% of population rural: 87.3% of population total: 87.3% of population urban: 12.7% of population rural: 12.7% of population total: 12.7% of population (2007 est.)

rural

12.7% of population

total

12.7% of population (2007 est.)

urban

12.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 16 years (2015)

female

16 years (2015)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.94 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.83 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.77 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

32.3% of total population (2017) 1.42% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.42% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

32.3% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point

Capital

Basseterre 17 18 N, 62 43 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

17 18 N, 62 43 W

name

Basseterre

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

yes yes yes 14 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

14 years

Constitution

several previous (preindependence); latest presented 22 June 1983, effective 23 June 1983 (2016)

Country name

Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Saint Kitts was, and still is, referred to as Saint Christopher and this name was well established by the 17th century (although who first applied the name is unclear); in the 17th century a common nickname for Christopher was Kit or Kitt, so the island began to be referred to as "Saint Kitt's Island" or just "Saint Kitts"; Nevis is derived from the original Spanish name "Nuestra Senora de las Nieves" (Our Lady of the Snows) and refers to the white halo of clouds that generally wreathes Nevis Peak

conventional long form

Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

conventional short form

Saint Kitts and Nevis

etymology

Saint Kitts was, and still is, referred to as Saint Christopher and this name was well established by the 17th century (although who first applied the name is unclear); in the 17th century a common nickname for Christopher was Kit or Kitt, so the island began to be referred to as "Saint Kitt's Island" or just "Saint Kitts"; Nevis is derived from the original Spanish name "Nuestra Senora de las Nieves" (Our Lady of the Snows) and refers to the white halo of clouds that generally wreathes Nevis Peak

former

Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Dr. Thelma Patricia PHILLIP-BROWNE (since 28 January 2016) 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] (202) 686-2636 [1] (202) 686-5740 Los Angeles, New York

chancery

3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016

chief of mission

Ambassador Dr. Thelma Patricia PHILLIP-BROWNE (since 28 January 2016)

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 686-5740

telephone

[1] (202) 686-2636

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Samuel W.T. SEATON (since 2 September 2015); note - SEATON was acting Governor General from 20 May to 2 September 2015 Prime Minister Timothy HARRIS (since 18 February 2015); Deputy Prime Minister Shawn RICHARDS (since 22 February 2015) Cabinet appointed by governor general in consultation with prime minister the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by governor general

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by governor general in consultation with prime minister

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Samuel W.T. SEATON (since 2 September 2015); note - SEATON was acting Governor General from 20 May to 2 September 2015

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by governor general

head of government

Prime Minister Timothy HARRIS (since 18 February 2015); Deputy Prime Minister Shawn RICHARDS (since 22 February 2015)

Flag description

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red; green signifies the island's fertility, red symbolizes the struggles of the people from slavery, yellow denotes year-round sunshine, and black represents the African heritage of the people; the white stars stand for the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, but can also express hope and liberty, or independence and optimism

Government type

federal parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Independence

19 September 1983 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Judicial branch

the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside at the member states with 2 assigned to Saint Kitts and Nevis; note - the ECSC in 2003 replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London as the final court of appeal on Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Kitts and Nevis is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62 magistrates' courts

highest court(s)

the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside at the member states with 2 assigned to Saint Kitts and Nevis; note - the ECSC in 2003 replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London as the final court of appeal on Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Kitts and Nevis is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice

judge selection and term of office

chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62

subordinate courts

magistrates' courts

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (14 seats; 11 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 3 appointed by the governor general; members serve 5-year terms) last held on 16 February 2015 (next to be held by 2020) percent of vote by party - SKNLP 39.3%, PAM 27.9% CCM 13.0% NRP 10.8%, PLP 9.0%; seats by party - PAM 4, SKNLP 3, CCM 2, NRP 1, PLP 1

description

unicameral National Assembly (14 seats; 11 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 3 appointed by the governor general; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - SKNLP 39.3%, PAM 27.9% CCM 13.0% NRP 10.8%, PLP 9.0%; seats by party - PAM 4, SKNLP 3, CCM 2, NRP 1, PLP 1

elections

last held on 16 February 2015 (next to be held by 2020)

National anthem

"Oh Land of Beauty!" Kenrick Anderson GEORGES adopted 1983

lyrics/music

Kenrick Anderson GEORGES

name

"Oh Land of Beauty!"

note

adopted 1983

National holiday

Independence Day, 19 September (1983)

National symbol(s)

brown pelican, Royal Poinciana (Flamboyant) tree; national colors: green, yellow, red, black, white

brown pelican, Royal Poinciana (Flamboyant) tree; national colors

green, yellow, red, black, white

Political parties and leaders

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Mark BRANTLEY] Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY] People's Action Movement or PAM [Shawn RICHARDS] People's Labour Party or PLP [Dr. Timothy HARRIS] Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish

Budget

$370.4 million $333.3 million (2016 est.)

expenditures

$333.3 million (2016 est.)

revenues

$370.4 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

4.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2009) 6.5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.24% (31 December 2016 est.) 9.3% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-102 million (2016 est.) $-86.1 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$187.9 million (31 December 2016 est.) $168 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Economy - overview

The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on tourism; since the 1970s, tourism has replaced sugar as the economy’s traditional mainstay. Roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009, but reduced tourism arrivals and foreign investment led to an economic contraction in the 2009-2013 period, and the economy returned to growth only in 2014. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand. Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after several decades of losses. To compensate for lost jobs, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as export-oriented manufacturing and offshore banking. The government has made notable progress in reducing its public debt, from 154% of GDP in 2011 to 83% in 2013, although it still faces one of the highest levels in the world, largely attributable to public enterprise losses. Saint Kitts and Nevis is among other countries in the Caribbean that supplement their economic activity through economic citizenship programs, whereby foreigners can obtain citizenship from Saint Kitts and Nevis by investing there.

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2016 est.) 2.7 (2015 est.) 2.7 (2014 est.) 2.7 (2013 est.) 2.7 (2012 est.)

Exports

$53.9 million (2016 est.) $55.3 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery, food, electronics, beverages, tobacco

Exports - partners

US 49.6%, Poland 15.2%, Turkey 11.6% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

59.4% 20.3% 29.6% 0% 31.9% -41.2% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

31.9%

government consumption

20.3%

household consumption

59.4%

imports of goods and services

-41.2% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

29.6%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.1% 29% 69.9% (2016 est.)

agriculture

1.1%

industry

29%

services

69.9% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$26,100 (2016 est.) $25,300 (2015 est.) $24,600 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.1% (2016 est.) 4.9% (2015 est.) 5.1% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$900 million (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.463 billion (2016 est.) $1.4 billion (2015 est.) $1.321 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

18.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 16.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$244.4 million (2016 est.) $247 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, manufactures, food, fuels

Imports - partners

US 56.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.8%, Cyprus 6.2%, Japan 4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

6% (2016 est.)

Industries

tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.4% (2016 est.) -2.3% (2015 est.)

Labor force

18,170 (June 1995 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$598.4 million (31 December 2011) $598.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

65.8% of GDP (2016 est.) 70.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.077 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.121 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$704.8 million (31 December 2016 est.) $728.1 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$210.1 million (31 December 2016 est.) $231.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

41% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.5% (1997)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

300,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

193.4 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

94.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

6.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

63,200 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

208 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

5,232 91% 100% 80% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

80% (2012)

electrification - total population

91%

electrification - urban areas

100%

population without electricity

5,232

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,907 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

the government operates a national TV network that broadcasts on 2 channels; cable subscription services provide access to local and international channels; the government operates a national radio network; a mix of government-owned and privately owned broadcasters operate roughly 15 radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.kn

Internet users

39,000 75.7% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

75.7% (July 2016 est.)

total

39,000

Telephone system

good interisland and international connections interisland links via ECFS; construction of enhanced wireless infrastructure launched in November 2004; fixed-line teledensity about 30 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 145 per 100 persons country code - 1-869; connected internationally by the East ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables (2016)

domestic

interisland links via ECFS; construction of enhanced wireless infrastructure launched in November 2004; fixed-line teledensity about 30 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 145 per 100 persons

general assessment

good interisland and international connections

international

country code - 1-869; connected internationally by the East ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

17,433 33 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

33 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

17,433

Telephones - mobile cellular

76,583 146 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

146 (July 2016 est.)

total

76,583

Airports

2 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2017)

total

2

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V4 (2016)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 16, cargo 81, chemical tanker 4, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, liquefied gas 3, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 27, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 73 (Belgium 1, China 1, Egypt 1, Greece 2, India 2, Japan 2, Malaysia 1, Norway 3, Pakistan 1, Russia 13, Singapore 10, Turkey 18, UAE 8, UK 1, Ukraine 8, US 1) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 16, cargo 81, chemical tanker 4, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, liquefied gas 3, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 27, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned

73 (Belgium 1, China 1, Egypt 1, Greece 2, India 2, Japan 2, Malaysia 1, Norway 3, Pakistan 1, Russia 13, Singapore 10, Turkey 18, UAE 8, UK 1, Ukraine 8, US 1) (2010)

total

152

Ports and terminals

Basseterre, Charlestown

major seaport(s)

Basseterre, Charlestown

Railways

50 km 50 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists (2008)

narrow gauge

50 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists (2008)

total

50 km

Roadways

383 km 163 km 220 km (2002)

paved

163 km

total

383 km

unpaved

220 km (2002)

Military branches

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Labour, Immigration, and Social Security: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (includes Coast Guard), Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force (2013)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Labour, Immigration, and Social Security

Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (includes Coast Guard), Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force (2013)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

Disputes - international

joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity