Saint Kitts and Nevis Economy and History

ECONOMY

In 2005 the government decided to close the sugar cane industry for export (which had been a loss for decades but which had long been the pillar of the country’s economy), with the aim of encouraging greater diversification of the sector. agriculture and to increase tourist flows. In 2008, GDP was US $ 555 million, per capita GDP was US $ 10,483. § Agriculture (sugar cane, bananas, coconuts, copra and vegetables), even if threatened by devastating hurricanes, livestock farming and fishing (not for quantity but for its value, in fact mainly lobsters are caught) are among the main economic resources. § Alongside the agri-food industries (sugar refineries, rum distilleries and tobacco processing), the textile sector and the assembly of electronic components have developed. § The real engine of the country’s growth, however, is represented by tourism, also thanks to a direct air link with the United States, and towards which, on the initiative of the government, numerous investment projects have been channeled, aimed at improving the infrastructures and reception capacity of the two islands, also in the face of the growing number of entries into the country (127,000 in 2005). The percentage of employees in this sector is therefore destined to increase, limiting the problem of unemployment to some extent. The communication routes exploit a road network of 320 km of roads, in total for both islands, connected by a regular navigation service; the major port center is Basseterre; main airports are those of Basseterre and Newcastle. The country exports food and beverages, tobacco, machinery and electronic products and imports machinery, manufactured goods, food and fuel. Trade takes place mainly with the USA (which account for over 60% of exports and almost half of imports); other export partners are Canada, the Netherlands and Azerbaijan; for imports Trinidad and Tobago, Spain and Great Britain. The public debt remains high, despite the development strategies, aimed at expanding the economic base of the state, have given excellent results, as is evident from the economic data provided by the World Bank. The financial sector is growing and some anti-money laundering regulations are in place. The country is a member of CARICOM. See topschoolsintheusa for higher education in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Transportation

There are a total of 383 km (partly) of paved roads on the two islands, which are connected by regular ferry services. The 29 km long railway line on Saint Kitts, which was originally used to transport sugar cane, is now used for tourist purposes. Basseterre has had a deep-water port and an international airport since 1981.

HISTORY

The island of Saint Kitts (also known as Saint Christopher) was discovered in 1493 by C. Colombo. The English settled there in 1623 and the following year a dispute with the French began for the possession of the island. With the Treaty of Versailles (1783) the island was recognized as an English possession. The island of Nevis was colonized by the British in 1628. In 1967 Saint Kitts and Nevis, together with the island of Anguilla, became a state associated with the United Kingdom. While Anguilla has regained the status of British dependence, the remaining two islands became an independent state on 19 September 1983, thus fully entering the Commonwealth. A center coalition remained in government for several years; since 1995 a Labor Party has been elected premier.

Brimstone Hill (World Heritage)

On the Caribbean coast in the 17th / 18th centuries. Built in the 17th century, the fortress of Saint Kitts is one of the greatest examples of British military architecture in the Caribbean. It consists of the mighty Fort George citadel and the Prince of Wales Bastion. In 1782 the British captured the mighty fort from the French in a bitter battle.

Brimstone Hill: Facts