Saint Kitts and Nieves are two islands joined the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis that form a northern Indian country, particularly in the Windward Islands.
Christopher Columbus discovered these islands on his second voyage to America, calling for greater San Cristobal in honor of the legendary martyr and Nieves to second on the ampoules of the summit (actually caused by clouds). Is the smallest country in the Americas, both in size and population.
History
Christopher Columbus landed on the largest island in 1493, on his second voyage and named it "San Cristóbal", his employer. Columbus also discovered Nevis on his second voyage, named for its resemblance to a snowcapped mountain (in Spanish called "Our Lady of the Snows").
European colonization did not begin until 1623-24, when the English first and then the French came to the island of San Cristobal, whose name was shortened by the English at St. Kitts. Because it was the first English colony in the Caribbean, St. Kitts served as a basis for future colonization of the region.
The British and French occupied San Cristobal in common from 1628 to 1713.
During the seventeenth century, intermittent warfare between French and English settlers ravaged the island's economy. Meanwhile Nieves, colonized by the British in 1628, grew prosperous under British law. St. Kitts was ceded to Britain in the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713.
The French occupied St. Kitts and Nevis in 1782.The Treaty of Versailles in 1783 finally returned both islands to Britain. The islands were part of the colony of the Leeward Islands from 1871 to 1956, and the West Indies Federation from 1958 to 1962. In 1967, with Anguilla became a commonwealth with the United Kingdom, Anguilla became part of the British Overseas Territories.
The federation of St. Kitts and Nevis attained full independence on September 19, 1983.
In August 1998 there was a referendum on Nevis to decide on the separation of San Cristobal which lacked the two-thirds needed for a majority. Then in September 1998, Hurricane George (Jorge) caused approximately $ 445 million in damages and limited GDP growth for that year.
Geography
The two West Indian islands that form the country are separated by the Strait Narrows, less than 3 km Both are volcanic islands with rugged peaks in the interior. The highest peak is San Cristóbal, Mount Liamuiga to 1,156 m. By contrast, in areas near the coast the terrain is completely flat.
The climate of the islands is tropical humid with an average of 26.7 degrees throughout the year
On the coast, the landscape is flatter, and with a tropical climate with apleasant temperature all year round, leading to the attractivenessstereotype of Caribbean paradise beach.
Tourism is not by chanceone of the most important. In recent years, the islands recibieronnmajor hotel investments, including hotels of category with greatinfrastructure and comprehensive services.
The most populous city is Basseterre, with just 20,000 inhabitants, in the midst of a landscape marked by the peak San Cristobal, and especially lots of green. Basseterre bears witness to its past colonial French and British influence in its architecture. It has interesting museums, cathedrals and fortifications of the British colonial era.It will be a good basis from which to take excursions to explore the islands.
The government instituted a program of investment incentives, encouraging private investment both domestic and foreign. Government policies include tax exemptions, import of equipment and materials free of taxes and subsidies for training local staff. Tourism has shown a big increase. By 1987, it had surpassed sugar as source of foreign income.
Demography
Demographics of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The population of the islands consists mostly of black descendants of slaves brought from West Africa. Most of the population is mainly Christian Anglicans but also of other Protestant denominations and the Catholic Church. Traditionally there is much migration from these islands. The main language is English, but patois is also spoken. Population: 38,819 (July 2000 estimate)Demographics of Saint Kitts and Nevis. FAO data. 2005
0-14 years: 30% (5,999 men, women 5746)
15-64 years: 61% (11,770 men, 11,838 women)
65 years and over: 9% (1,431 men, women 2035) (2000 est.).
Population growth rate: -0.22% (2000 est.).
Birth rate: 19.06 births / 1,000 population (2000 est.).
Death rate: 9.38 muertes/1.000 inhabitants (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -11.85 migrantes/1.000 inhabitants (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male / female under 15 years: 1.04 male (s) / female 15-64 years: 0.99 male / female 65 years and over: 0.7 male / female total population: 0.98 male / female (2000 est.).
Infant mortality rate: 16.72 muertes/1.000 live births (2000 est.).
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.73 years male: 67.95 years women: 73.68 years (2000 est.). Total fertility rate: 2.43 children born / woman (2000 est.).
Ethnic groups: black Predominantenmente, some British, Portuguese and Lebanese.
Language: English
Religion : Anglican , Protestant and CatholicLiteracy: definition: age 15 and older who have ever attended school total population: 97% men: 97% women: 98% (1980 est,)
Christopher Columbus discovered these islands on his second voyage to America, calling for greater San Cristobal in honor of the legendary martyr and Nieves to second on the ampoules of the summit (actually caused by clouds). Is the smallest country in the Americas, both in size and population.
History
Christopher Columbus landed on the largest island in 1493, on his second voyage and named it "San Cristóbal", his employer. Columbus also discovered Nevis on his second voyage, named for its resemblance to a snowcapped mountain (in Spanish called "Our Lady of the Snows").
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| St-Kitts and Nevis Landscape |
The British and French occupied San Cristobal in common from 1628 to 1713.
The French occupied St. Kitts and Nevis in 1782.The Treaty of Versailles in 1783 finally returned both islands to Britain. The islands were part of the colony of the Leeward Islands from 1871 to 1956, and the West Indies Federation from 1958 to 1962. In 1967, with Anguilla became a commonwealth with the United Kingdom, Anguilla became part of the British Overseas Territories.
The federation of St. Kitts and Nevis attained full independence on September 19, 1983.
In August 1998 there was a referendum on Nevis to decide on the separation of San Cristobal which lacked the two-thirds needed for a majority. Then in September 1998, Hurricane George (Jorge) caused approximately $ 445 million in damages and limited GDP growth for that year.
Geography
The two West Indian islands that form the country are separated by the Strait Narrows, less than 3 km Both are volcanic islands with rugged peaks in the interior. The highest peak is San Cristóbal, Mount Liamuiga to 1,156 m. By contrast, in areas near the coast the terrain is completely flat.
The climate of the islands is tropical humid with an average of 26.7 degrees throughout the year
Tourism is not by chanceone of the most important. In recent years, the islands recibieronnmajor hotel investments, including hotels of category with greatinfrastructure and comprehensive services.
The most populous city is Basseterre, with just 20,000 inhabitants, in the midst of a landscape marked by the peak San Cristobal, and especially lots of green. Basseterre bears witness to its past colonial French and British influence in its architecture. It has interesting museums, cathedrals and fortifications of the British colonial era.It will be a good basis from which to take excursions to explore the islands.
Economy
Saint Kitts and Nevis was the last place in practice monoculture of sugar in the Lesser Antilles. But because the sugar industry found it increasingly difficult to make profits, the government decided to undertake a program of diversification for the agricultural sector and for promoting development in other sectors of the economy, particularly tourism. The issuing of stamps, mainly aimed at collectors, is also an important source of income for its economy.
The country's economy experienced strong growth in most of the decade of 1990, but the hurricanes of 1998 and 1999 contributed to a sharp drop in the economy. Real economic growth was 0.75% in 2002, after a decline of 4.3% in 2001. The economy experienced an uneven performance in 2002, with some sectors experienced positive growth while others had varying levels of decline. The construction sector recorded a 4.51% decline, manufacturing, hotels and gastronomy also had significant declines of 4.01% and 9.89% respectively, and sugar production fell about 5.1 %.
Major investments in the tourism sector (including a Marriott hotel chain, with 648 rooms and a convention center, which opened in December 2002) as well as continued efforts by the government to diversify the economy, opening an expectation to improve economic performance. Retail prices have risen marginally over the past years. The inflation rate was 3% - 4% in most of the 1990's.
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank issues the Eastern Caribbean dollar, a currency for countries that are part of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. The Central Bank also manages monetary policy and regulates and supervises commercial banking activities in member countries.
Demography
Demographics of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
0-14 years: 30% (5,999 men, women 5746)
15-64 years: 61% (11,770 men, 11,838 women)
65 years and over: 9% (1,431 men, women 2035) (2000 est.).
Population growth rate: -0.22% (2000 est.).
Birth rate: 19.06 births / 1,000 population (2000 est.).
Death rate: 9.38 muertes/1.000 inhabitants (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -11.85 migrantes/1.000 inhabitants (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male / female under 15 years: 1.04 male (s) / female 15-64 years: 0.99 male / female 65 years and over: 0.7 male / female total population: 0.98 male / female (2000 est.).
Infant mortality rate: 16.72 muertes/1.000 live births (2000 est.).
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.73 years male: 67.95 years women: 73.68 years (2000 est.). Total fertility rate: 2.43 children born / woman (2000 est.).
Ethnic groups: black Predominantenmente, some British, Portuguese and Lebanese.
Language: English
Religion : Anglican , Protestant and CatholicLiteracy: definition: age 15 and older who have ever attended school total population: 97% men: 97% women: 98% (1980 est,)
