| LOCATION |
St. Kitts is located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean, approximately 19 degrees north of the equator, and is separated by a 2-mile wide channel from its sister island, Nevis. The island’s capital city, Basseterre, one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean, is located on the Southeastern side of the island.
St. Kitts is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, which is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the winter. Daylight savings time is not observed.
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| POPULATION AND LANGUAGE |
Approximately 36,000 people make St. Kitts their home. The island’s official language is English. |
| HISTORY |
Originally populated by the Carib Indians, Christopher Columbus discovered St. Kitts in 1493. British settlers arrived in 1623 followed by the French a year later and St. Kitts became home to these countries’ first permanent settlements in the Western Hemisphere. The two nations battled for control of the island for more than 130 years until it was designated British under the Treaty of Versailles in 1783. In 1983, St. Kitts and Nevis was established as an independent nation within the British Commonwealth. |
| GEOGRAPHY |
St. Kitts is 68 square miles in area. The island is 23 miles long and 5 miles wide at its widest point. Despite its size, St. Kitts has a diverse and stunning terrain. The island’s central region is made up of volcanic mountains lush with rainforest that reach 3,792 feet at Mt. Liamuiga, the island’s highest peak. In the north, foothills form a rolling landscape of sugar cane plantations and grasslands, while uncultivated lowlands are covered with thick tropical woodland and exotic fruit trees.
Because its coasts lie on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, St. Kitts has several different types of beaches. The southern part of the island boasts honey brown beaches such as Frigate Bay, White House Bay and Sand Bank Bay, while the northern part of the island has black volcanic sand beaches like Dieppe Bay. The eastern coast experiences heavy Atlantic surf and the western coast has the Caribbean’s calm, blue waters.
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| CLIMATE |
Daily temperatures average 80 degrees year round, with a constant breeze from the Northeast Tradewinds keeping the island comfortable. There is an average of 12 hours of sunshine a day, humidity is low and with less than 55 inches of rainfall annually, St. Kitts has no distinct rainy season. |
| CURRENCY AND ECONOMY |
The official currency for St. Kitts is the Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar, though U.S. and Canadian currency, travelers’ checks and major credit cards are accepted in most places. The current exchange rate is approximately EC$2.70 to US$1. An ATM that dispenses U.S. dollars is available at the Royal Bank of St. Kitts. |
| ENTRY REQUIREMENTS |
U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to have proof of citizenship in the form of either a passport or birth certificate along with a photo ID, as well as proof of sufficient funds for return or onward passage. There is a departure tax of EC$60 (approximately U.S. $22) payable at the airport.
As of January 23, 2007, all travelers entering or re-entering the United States from any destination will be required to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality. More information can be found at http://travel.state.gov.
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| AIR SERVICE |
St. Kitts is served from North America by US Airways non-stop from Charlotte and by American Airlines/American Eagle via San Juan and Miami as well as by Windward Island Airways (WinAir) and LIAT via connections over St. Maarten, Antigua and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All flights arrive at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, situated just 2 miles outside the historic capital city of Basseterre. |
| ATTRACTIONS |
The St. Kitts Scenic Railway provides guests with a relaxing and unique way to tour the island. Hop on the sugar cane tracks to experience spectacular ocean, mountain and village views.
A visit to Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a delightful trip back in time where visitors can explore one of the best preserved historical fortifications in the Americas.
Once owned by ancestors of President Thomas Jefferson, Romney Manor is a striking estate rich in history and is home to the Caribelle Batik factory which produces unique dyed fashions and wall hangings.
Located on St. Kitts’ northern side, the picturesque lava formations known as Black Rocks are a reminder of the island’s volcanic past as well as a popular tourist site.
Built in the late 1700s as home to the slave market, Independence Square rapidly became the administrative, commercial and social center of Basseterre. It was officially renamed in 1983 to commemorate St. Kitts and Nevis’ independence from Great Britain.
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