Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest sovereign state in the Americas by both area and population, a twin-island Caribbean federation with a sugar-trade history and the volcanic peak of Mount Liamuiga.
Geography & landscape
Saint Kitts and Nevis sits in Caribbean, in the northern hemisphere of North America. With an area of approximately 261 km², it is a compact territory, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Basseterre, lies near coordinates 17.34°, -62.75°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of North America, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Caribbean region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Saint Kitts and Nevis.
People & society
The population of Saint Kitts and Nevis is around 48K. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is English, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Saint Kitts and Nevis is structured as a constitutional monarchy. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Basseterre, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Saint Kitts and Nevis is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Basseterre and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Saint Kitts and Nevis shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Saint Kitts and Nevis through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Basseterre, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +1-869, and clocks are set to the AST (UTC-4) time zone. ISO standards identify Saint Kitts and Nevis as KN (alpha-2) and KNA (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇰🇳, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Basseterre | — |
| Continent | North America | — |
| Sub-region | Caribbean | — |
| Population | 48K | people |
| Area | 261 | km² |
| Currency | East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) | — |
| Calling code | +1-869 | international dialling |
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | standard time |
| Government type | Constitutional monarchy | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | KN | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | KNA | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 17.34 | degrees |
| Longitude | -62.75 | degrees |
Did you know?
Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere by both area and population.
