Saint Kitts and Nevis - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Saint Kitts and Nevis, it was Saint Kitts was, and still is, referred to as Saint Christopher and this name was well established by the 17th century (although who first applied the name is unclear); in the 17th century a common nickname for Christopher was Kit or Kitt, so the island began to be referred to as "Saint Kitt's Island" or just "Saint Kitts"; Nevis is derived from the original Spanish name "Nuestra Senora de las Nieves" (Our Lady of the Snows) and refers to the white halo of clouds that generally wreathes Nevis Peak. The Government system in this country is the federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point
National symbols

Brown pelican, royal poinciana (flamboyant) tree; national colors: green, yellow, red, black, white.

The flag
The National flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis has 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; green signifies the island's fertility, red symbolizes the struggles of the people from slavery, yellow denotes year-round sunshine, and black represents the African heritage of the people; the white stars stand for the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, but can also express hope and liberty, or independence and optimism.
The National Anthem
Title "Oh Land of Beauty!"
Lyric/music Kenrick Anderson GEORGES
More about the government of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Date of Independence 19 September 1983 (from the UK)
National holiday Independence Day, 19 September (1983)
Legal system English common law
International law organization participation has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitution
History Several previous (preindependence); latest presented 22 June 1983, effective 23 June 1983
Amendments Proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the total Assembly membership and assent of the governor general; amendments to constitutional provisions such as the sovereignty of the federation, fundamental rights and freedoms, the judiciary, and the Nevis Island Assembly also require approval in a referendum by at least two thirds of the votes cast in Saint Kitts and in Nevis
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth yes
Citizenship by descent only yes
Dual citizenship recognized yes
Residency requirement for naturalization 14 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Marcella LIBURD (since 1 February 2023)
Head of government Prime Minister Dr. Terrance DREW (since 6 August 2022)
Cabinet Cabinet appointed by governor general in consultation with prime minister
Elections/appointments the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by governor general
Legislative branch
Description Unicameral National Assembly (15 seats, including the attorney general; 11 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 3 appointed by the governor general - 2 on the advice of the prime minister and the third on the advice of the opposition leader; members serve 5-year terms)
Elections Last held on 5 August 2022 (next to be held on 2027)
Election results Percent of vote by party - SKNLP 44.4%, PLP 16.1%, PAM 16.2%, CCM 12.7%, other 10.6%; seats by party - SKNLP 6, CCM 3, PLP 1, CCM 1; composition - men 11, women 5, percentage women 31.3%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, traveling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, with 2 assigned to Saint Kitts and Nevis; note - the ECSC in 2003 replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) as the final court of appeal on Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Kitts and Nevis is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice
Judge selection and term of office Chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by His Majesty, King Charles III; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
Subordinate courts Magistrates' courts
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission Ambassador Jacinth HENRY-MARTIN (since 15 September 2023)
Chancery 1203 19th St. NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
Telephone [1] (202) 686-2636
FAX [1] (202) 686-5740
Email address and website
[email protected]

Embassy of St.Kitts and Nevis to the USA – and Permanent Mission to the OAS (embassydc.gov.kn)
Consulate(s) general Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
Embassy The US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites 1 (cultural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park
Key Political parties and their leaders in Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • International organization participation
  • ACP
  • ACS
  • AOSIS
  • C
  • Caricom
  • CDB
  • CELAC
  • FAO
  • G-77
  • IBRD
  • ICAO
  • ICCt
  • ICRM
  • IDA
  • IFAD
  • IFC
  • IFRCS
  • ILO
  • IMF
  • IMO
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • ITU
  • MIGA
  • OAS
  • OECS
  • OPANAL
  • OPCW
  • Petrocaribe
  • UN
  • UNCTAD
  • UNESCO
  • UNIDO
  • UPU
  • WHO
  • WIPO
  • WTO
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    Saint Kitts and Nevis is found in Caribbean