圣基斯与尼维斯

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正式名称圣基斯与尼维斯联邦(Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis),亦称圣克里斯多福和尼维斯(Saint Christopher and Nevis)。

由东加勒比海背风群岛上的独立国家。面积269平方公里。人口约38,800(2001)。首都︰巴斯特尔。大部分人民是非裔黑人。语言︰英语(官方语)。宗教︰基督教新教。货币︰东加勒比元(Eastern Caribbean dollar, EC$)。圣基斯与尼维斯以及松布雷罗岛为火山发源地,山区可达1,156公尺高。圣基斯与尼维斯均位於信风带,内地山区大都草木茂密。经济以农业为主,制糖一直是岛上经济支柱,观光占重要地位。圣基斯与尼维斯联邦是一个拥有立法机构的君主立宪制国家及英联邦的成员国之一。国家元首是总督(代表英国君主)。政府首脑为总理。

圣基斯在1623年成为西印度群岛第一个英国殖民地。17世纪形成英法抗衡延续了一百多年,根据「凡尔赛和约」,圣基斯与尼维斯两岛全部成为英国领地。1882~1980年这两个岛屿和安圭拉联合成为大英国协中独立的联盟国家(1983)。1997年尼维斯考虑要独立。

Saint Kitts-Nevis

Independent nation of the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. Area: 104 sq mi (269 sq km). Population (1997 est.): 42,000. Capital: Basseterre (on St. Kitts). Most of the population is of African descent. Language: English (official). Religion: Protestantism. Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar. The islands—Saint Kitts, Nevis, and Sombrero—are of volcanic origin, with mountain ranges rising to 3,793 ft (1,156 m). The climate is tropical, and heavy vegetation covers most of the mountainous interior. The economy is based on agriculture. Sugar has long been the mainstay, and tourism is also important. It is a constitutional monarchy with one legislative house; its chief of state is the British monarch represented by the governor-general, and the head of government is the prime minister. St. Kitts became the first British colony in the West Indies in 1623. Anglo-French rivalry grew in the 17th century and lasted more than a century. In 1783, by the Treaty of Versailles, the islands became wholly British possessions. They were united with Anguilla 1882-1980 but became an independent federation within the British Commonwealth in 1983. In 1997 Nevis considered becoming independent.