Part 632

Name of country: 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

Type of government: constitutional monarchy

Capital: Basseterre

Administrative divisions: 14 parishs; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capisterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle 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: NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Dr. Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996), previously Governor General of the West Indies Associated States (since NA November 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995) were appointed by the governor general cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly: elections last held 3 July 1995 (next to be held by July 2000); results - SKLNP 58%, PAM 41%; seats - (14 total, 11 elected) SKNLP 7, PAM 1, NRP 1, CCM 2

Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia)

Political parties and leaders: People's Action Movement (PAM), Dr. Kennedy SIMMONDS; Saint Kitts and Nevis 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, IFRCS, IMF, Interpol, IOC, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Erstein Mallet EDWARDS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: (202) 686-2636 FAX: (202) 686-5740

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; US interests are monitored by the embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados

Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red

Economy -------

Economic overview: The economy has traditionally depended on the growing and processing of sugarcane; decreasing world prices have hurt the industry in recent years. Tourism and export-oriented manufacturing have begun to assume larger roles. Most food is imported. The newly elected government has undertaken a program designed to revitalize the faltering sugar sector. It is also working to improve revenue collection in order to better fund social programs.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $220 million (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $5,380 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 6.2% industry: 35.7% services: 58.1% (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.9% (1995)

Labor force: 18,172 (June 1995); by occupation - services 69%, manufacturing 31%

Unemployment rate: 4.3% (May 1995)

Budget: revenues: $100.2 million expenditures: $100.1 million, including capital expenditures of $41.4 million (1996 est.)