Date of independence, or formation date: 1983
Date when current borders were established: 1983
National day: Sept 19
Vehicle country identifying code: KN
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): -4
International telephone dialling code: +1869
Internet country identifying code: .kn

One of the Caribbean's most popular tourist destinations, St. Kitts and Nevis, a former British colony, lies at the northern end of the Leeward Islands chain. St. Kitts is of volcanic origin; Mount Liamuiga, a dormant volcano with a crater 227 m (745 ft) deep, is the highest point on the island. Nevis, separated from St. Kitts by a channel 3 km (2 miles) wide, is the lusher but less developed of the two islands. In the 18th century, its famed hot and cold springs gained Nevis the title "the Spa of the Caribbean."

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004