Federation of St Kitts & Nevis

St Kitts was formerly called St Christopher.

After the break up of the West Indies Federation Britain intended that the islands of St Christopher, Nevis and Anguilla would form a state, but Anguilla refused to join (it is 60 miles away).

Caribs inhabited the islands when Columbus visited in 1493. In 1623 St Christopher was settled by the English as the first English colony in the Caribbean. Nevis was settled by the English in 1628. The French also settled on St Kitts in 1627. After several wars between England and France the final British victory was in 1782.

The islands became independent in 1983. Anguilla was associated from 1882 until 1967 (officially until 1971).

Member East Caribbean Currency Union and Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM).

Nevis, with its 5000 voters, proposed to secede in October 1997. Surely, it is too small.

English

Creole

Member CARICOM

Sugar was the main income earner but now the industry has collapsed after the world trade rules changed.

Tourism may be the main earner now.