Americas · Caribbean

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Capital: Basseterre
Population: 53,192
Region: Americas
Languages: English

Fun fact

This nation is home to the Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the Gibraltar of the West Indies for its massive scale and strategic design. It was one of the first countries in the world to launch a citizenship-by-investment program in 1984, which has since become a significant part of its national economy. Additionally, the island of Saint Kitts is unique for its wild population of vervet monkeys, which were originally brought over from Africa as pets by French settlers in the 17th century.

Currency

The official currency is the East Caribbean Dollar, which uses the ISO code XCD. It has been pegged to the United States Dollar at a fixed rate of 2.70 since 1976 to ensure economic stability. Interestingly, this currency is shared by several other island nations and is managed by a central bank based right in Basseterre, the capital of Saint Kitts.

Flag symbolism

The flag features two white stars that represent the two islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, while also symbolizing hope and liberty. The green triangle stands for the fertility of the land, and the red triangle signifies the struggle for freedom from slavery and colonialism. A black diagonal band represents the African heritage of the people, bordered by narrow yellow stripes that symbolize the consistent tropical sunshine found across the territory.

Emblem history

The coat of arms features a shield supported by two pelicans, which are the national birds, standing next to a coconut palm and a sugar cane stalk. At the center of the shield, a sailing ship represents the maritime history and the arrival of settlers to the islands. The design also incorporates a red flamboyant flower and the heads of Carib Indians, acknowledging the indigenous people who inhabited the islands long before European arrival. The motto at the bottom, 'Country Above Self,' was adopted upon gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1983.