At the time of European discovery, the islands of St Kitts and Nevis were inhabited by Carib Indians. Christopher Columbus landed on the larger island in 1493 on his second voyage and named it after St Christopher, his patron saint. Columbus also discovered Nevis on his second voyage, reportedly calling it Nevis because of its resemblance to a snow-capped mountain (in Spanish, Nuesta Senora de las Nieves, or our lady of the snows).

European colonisation did not begin until 1623-24, when first English, then French, colonists arrived on St Christopher's island, whose name the English shortened to St Kitt's island. As the first English colony in the Caribbean, St Kitts served as a base for further colonisation in the region. St Kitts was held jointly by the English and French from 1628-1713. During the 17th century, intermittent warfare between French and English settlers ravaged its economy. Meanwhile Nevis, settled by English settlers in 1628, grew prosperous under English rule. St Kitts's was ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Utrecht in 1713.

Both St Kitts and Nevis were seized by the French in 1782. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 definitively awarded both islands to Britain. They were part of the colony of the Leeward Islands from 1871-1956, and of the West Indies Federation from 1958-62. In 1967, together with Anguilla, they became a self-governing state in association with Great Britain. Anguilla seceded later that year and remains a British dependency. The federation of St Kitts and Nevis attained full independence on 19 September 1983.

Flag

Coat of Arms

The centre of the coat of arms is dominated by a shield at the base of which is a lighter in full sail. The lighter is one of the traditional means of transportation. A red chevron is highlighted by two poinciana flowers.

At the top of the shield on the blue background is the head of a Carib, supported by the fleur de lis and a rose. The Caribs were the early inhabitants of the islands, and the fleur de lis and rose signify the French and English influences. A helmet topped with the battlements of a tower appears with a flaming torch upheld by the hands of an African, European, and a person of mixed descent. The torch signifies the struggle and quest for freedom by a people of diverse ethnic origins, but united in purpose.

The shield is supported on either side by pelicans with wings extended, displaying a sugar cane plant and the coconut palm tree, which are extensively cultivated throughout St. Kitts and Nevis.

Download Anthem

O Land of Beauty!
Our country where peace abounds,
Thy children stand free
On the strength of will and love.
With God in all our struggles
St. Kitts and Nevis be
A nation bound together
with a common destiny.

As stalwarts we stand
For justice and liberty.
With wisdom and truth
We will serve and honour thee.
No sword nor spear can conquer
For God will sure defend.
His blessings shall forever
To posterity extend.

National Flower

Poinciana or Flamboyant

The national flower is the poinciana or flamboyant, named after Monsieur de Poincy, the first French Governor of St. Kitts, who is said to have introduced it to the region. Its scientific name is Delonix Regia and it is said to have originated in Madagascar. The flamboyant is one of the most striking trees of the tropics, with its umbrella-shaped crown and its compound deciduous leaves, and red and yellow scalloped flowers followed by long, black seedpods. It blooms from May to August.

National Bird

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

The national bird is the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). In its youth, it is brown on the head, neck and upper parts of the body, and mostly white below. As it matures, the majority of the body becomes dark brown while the upper part of the head turns white. During the postnuptial molt the adult's neck turns white. The neck and head are not extended during flight. Brown pelicans are sometimes solitary feeders but may also be found in small flocks as they feed on schools of fish near the surface of the sea. They can be found throughout the West Indies and in the sub-tropic regions of the Americas. They nest in colonies along the coast in low trees and in bushes.

National Holidays

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The population enjoys almost 100% immunisation coverage, access to safe water and good sanitation. The Government has placed special emphasis on primary health care services, particularly those targeted toward the prevention of illness and the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits.

A UK-CARICOM Forum on Reducing Stigma and Discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDs in the Caribbean was held in St Kitts in November 2004. Stakeholders from throughout the region attended the Forum. Participants included the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Dr Peter Piot; the Director of the Caribbean Commission on Health and Development, Sir George Alleyne; Mr Edwin Carrington, CARICOM Secretary-General and DfID Minister Gareth Thomas MP. The aim of the Forum was to accelerate the process of reducing HIV/AIDs-related stigma and discrimination through persons identified as 'Champions for Change'. The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS has taken this work forward in the private sector. The campaign is starting to gain ground in government and the media, but public attitudes are slow to change. Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis takes the lead on HIV/AIDS in the regional grouping, CARICOM.

Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate, 2000-2006*, male

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Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate, 2000-2006*, female

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Number per 100 population 2005: phones

83

Number per 100 population 2005: Internet users

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Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, male

97

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, female

102

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, male

91

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, female

96

Primary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*) ratio, net, male

-

Primary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*) ratio, net, female

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% of primary school entrants reaching grade 5 2000-2006*, adMinister data

87

% of primary school entrants reaching grade 5 2000-2006*, survey data

-

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, male

95

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, female

93

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, male

87

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, female

85

Secondary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*), net, male

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Secondary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*), net, female

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