ABSTRACT
St Christopher and Nevis is the smallest country in the western hemisphere in both area and population. It is situated in the Lesser Antilles to the west of Antigua. Area: 269.4sq km; capital: Basseterre, on St Kitts; language: English; population: 45,841 (2001 census), 90% of African descent; religion: mainly Anglican. Constitution: A constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth. The National Assembly has 11 elected members, three nominated members and one ex officio member. There is a separate Nevis Island Assembly. History: The islands were visited and named by Christopher Columbus in 1493. British settlement on St Kitts began in 1623, but the island was shared with France until 1713. Independence was delayed by disagreements between the islands but finally achieved in 1983. Latest elections: In the general election of 6 March 2000, the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) won eight seats, the Concerned Citizens’ Movement two and the Nevis Reformation Party one. The Government was formed by the SKNLP, led by Dr Denzil Douglas. International relations and defence: St Christopher and Nevis is a member of the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the Commonwealth, the Caribbean Community and Common Market, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. There is a volunteer defence force and a police tactical unit. St Christopher and Nevis participates in the US-sponsored Regional Security System.
