nal 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: [1] (202) 686-2636
FAX: [1] (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,