World Factbook
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: divided diagonally from the lower left side by a broad black band with two five-pointed white stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, and the lower is red meaning: green stands for the island's fertility, red for the struggles of the people from slavery, yellow for year-round sunshine, and black for the people's African heritage; the white stars stand for the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis but can also express hope and liberty, or independence and optimism
Capital
name
Basseterre
etymology
the French name translates as "low land" in English; the reference is probably to the city's location in a valley
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
17 18 N, 62 43 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
14 years
Constitution
history
several previous (pre-independence); latest presented 22 June 1983, effective 23 June 1983
amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the total Assembly membership and assent of the governor general; amendments to constitutional provisions such as the sovereignty of the federation, fundamental rights and freedoms, the judiciary, and the Nevis Island Assembly also require approval in a referendum by at least two thirds of the votes cast in Saint Kitts and in Nevis
Country name
note
note: Nevis is pronounced NEE-vis
former
Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
etymology
explorer Christopher COLUMBUS visited the islands in 1493 and named one for his own patron saint; a common nickname for Christopher during the following centuries was Kit or Kitt, and Saint Kitts is still referred to as Saint Christopher; the name of Nevis is said to derive from the original Spanish name "Las Nieves" (The Snows) and refers to its cloud-topped mountain
conventional long form
Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
conventional short form
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Independence
19 September 1983 (from the UK)
Legal system
English common law
Government type
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and 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 travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice
subordinate courts
magistrates' courts
judge selection and term of office
chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; 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
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by governor general in consultation with prime minister
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Marcella LIBURD (since 1 February 2023)
head of government
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance DREW (since 6 August 2022)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime minister also appointed by governor general
National holiday
Independence Day, 19 September (1983)
National color(s)
green, yellow, red, black, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park
Political parties
Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM Nevis Reformation Party or NRP People's Action Movement or PAM People's Labour Party or PLP Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
16 (11 directly elected; 4 appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
National Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
8/5/2022
expected date of next election
October 2027
percentage of women in chamber
31.3%
parties elected and seats per party
St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) (6); Concerned Citizens' Movement (CCM) (3); Peoples Labour Party (PLP) (1); People's Action Movement (PAM) (1)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
in use since 1745
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
brown pelican, royal poinciana (flamboyant) tree
National coat of arms
the coat of arms of Saint Kitts and Nevis features a Carib who represents the original inhabitants of the islands, and a fleur-de-lis and rose that represent the French and English who arrived in the 1620; the shield also features the poinciana (the national flower) and a traditional boat; three hands hold the torch, which represents the quest for freedom: the hand of an African, a European, and a person of mixed ethnicity; pelicans (the national bird) support the shield, with a sugarcane plant and a coconut tree that symbolize the land
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 686-5740
chancery
1203 19th St. NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 686-2636
chief of mission
Ambassador Jacinth HENRY-MARTIN (since 15 September 2023)
consulate(s) general
Los Angeles, New York
email address and website
stkittsnevis@embskn.com Embassy of St.Kitts and Nevis to the USA – and Permanent Mission to the OAS (embassydc.gov.kn)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, 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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction