The former British colony of St Kitts and Nevis is inhabited mostly by the descendants of West African slaves.
Its beaches, scenery and a warm, sunny climate are a great tourist attraction. It is also vulnerable to hurricanes.
The islands of St Kitts - also known as St Christopher - and Nevis have been in an uneasy federation since independence from Britain in 1983, with some politicians in Nevis saying the federal government in St Kitts - home to a majority of the population - had ignored the needs of Nevisians.
But a referendum on secession held in Nevis in 1998 failed to gain the two-thirds majority needed to break away.
Under the constitution, Nevis has considerable autonomy and has an island assembly, a premier, and a deputy governor-general.
Tourism, offshore finance and service industries are important sources of income - more so since a centuries-old but loss-making sugar industry was wound down in 2005 with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
- Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring
FACTS
Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Capital: Basseterre
Area 269 sq km (104 sq miles)
Population 52,000
Major language English
Major religion Christianity
Life expectancy 68 years (men), 71 years (women)
Currency East Caribbean dollar
UN, World Bank
LEADERS
Head of state: King Charles III, represented by a governor-general
Prime Minister: Terrance Drew
Terrance Drew was elected as prime minister after his St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) won the August 2022 general election.
Mr Drew is the fifth prime minister since the country gained independence from Britain in 1983.
MEDIA
The government operates national television and radio networks.
There are several private radio stations.
Freedom of expression is generally respected by the government, says Freedom House.
- Read full media profile
TIMELINE
Some key events in the history of St Kitts and Nevis
1493 - Christopher Columbus lands on the islands and names St Kitts after his patron saint, Christopher.
1623 - The British establish their first Caribbean colony on St Kitts.
1626 - The British massacre 2,000 indigenous Caribs.
1628 - The British establish a colony on Nevis.
1783 - France relinquishes claims on St Kitts.
1871 - St Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla united as a British dependency.
1967 - St Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla become an internally self-governing member of the West Indies Associated States with Labour Party leader Robert Bradshaw as prime minister.
1980 - Anguilla granted a constitution and its union with St Kitts and Nevis formally revoked.
1983 - St Kitts and Nevis jointly attain independence within the British Commonwealth with Kennedy Simmonds as prime minister.
1998 - Referendum on Nevis independence fails to achieve the two-thirds majority required for the island to secede.
Trade and investment opportunities exist in Saint Kitts and Nevis for Australian businesses, including in tourism and related industries.
Bilateral relations
Australia and Saint Kitts and Nevis established diplomatic relations in 1986.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago has non-resident accreditation to Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Saint Kitts and Nevis does not have official representation in Australia.
Foreign relations
Australia and Saint Kitts and Nevis are members of the Commonwealth, World Trade Organisation (WTO), United Nations (UN), and UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Africa, Organization of American States (OAS), Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and other regional organisations.
It is a member of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) grouping, which includes small island states in the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Foreign Policy White Paper
Fast facts
St Kitts and Nevis visitors to Australia (2020 Dept of Home Affairs) #NilAustralian visitors to St Kitts and Nevis (primary destination (2020 Dept of Home Affairs) #NilResident Australian population born in St Kitts and Nevis (2016 Census)36Australian residents of Caribbean Islander descent (2016 Census)3,650St Kitts and Nevis students in Australia (2020 Dept of Education)<5# This data is owned by Home Affairs. It provides quarterly updates to this data on its website.
High level engagement
2021 July – Environment Minister Sussan Ley met virtually with Education Minister Jonel Powell
2015 December – Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Prime Minister Harris attended COP21 in Paris
2015 November – Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Prime Minister Harris attended CHOGM Malta 2015
Agreements with Saint Kitts and Nevis
There are no bilateral agreements between Australia and Saint Kitts and Nevis
Public diplomacy
The Australian High Commission sponsored an Australian Landcare International training conference in Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2018. It was attended by students from across the region.
Economic diplomacy
The Australian Government assists Australian investors in Saint Kitts and Nevis by providing support and advice on political, economic and regulatory environments.
Further economic and trade information can be found in our Economic Factsheet for Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Business
Export and investment opportunities exist in Saint Kitts and Nevis for Australian businesses, particularly in tourism and related industries.
Austrade’s Mexico City Office aims to attract foreign direct investment from Saint Kitts and Nevis into Australia, identifies market opportunities in Saint Kitts and Nevis, and promotes the capabilities of Australian exporters and education providers.