Country name
conventional long form : Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis
former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis

Data code SC

Government type constitutional monarchy

National capital Basseterre

Administrative divisions 14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, SaintGeorge Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint JohnCapisterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, SaintPaul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint ThomasMiddle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point

Independence 19 September 1983 (from UK)

National holiday Independence Day, 19 September (1983)

Constitution 19 September 1983

Legal system based on English common law

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal adult

Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented byGovernor General Dr. Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996)
head of government : Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995) and Deputy PrimeMinister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation with the primeminister
elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; following legislative elections,the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usuallyappointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointedby the governor general

Legislative branch unicameral House of Assembly (14 seats, 11 popularly elected from singlemember constituencies; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 3 July 1995 (next to be held by July 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party - SKLNP 58%, PAM 41%; seats by party - SKNLP7, PAM 1, NRP 1, CCM 2

Judicial branch Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia); one judge ofthe Supreme Court resides in Saint Kitts

Political parties and leaders People's Action Movement (PAM), Dr. Kennedy SIMMONDS; Saint Kitts andNevis Labor Party (SKNLP), Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS; Nevis Reformation Party (NRP),Joseph PARRY; Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Vance AMORY

International organization participation ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission : Ambassador Osbert LIBURD
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636
FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740

Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; US interestsare monitored by the embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados

Flag description divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearingtwo white five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the uppertriangle is green, the lower triangle is red

NOTE: The information regarding Saint Kitts and Nevis on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Saint Kitts and Nevis Government 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Saint Kitts and Nevis Government 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.