Geography

The country has two main islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis. The highest peak is Mount Liamuiga, which stands at 1,156 m.

The islands are of volcanic origin, with large central peaks covered in jungle; the steep slopes leading to these peaks are mostly uninhabited. The vast majority of the population on both islands live close to the sea where the terrain flattens out. There are numerous rivers descending from the mountains of both islands, which provide fresh water to the local population. St. Kitts also has one very small lake.

Facts and Figures

• Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
• Geographic coordinates: 17 20 N, 62 45 W
• Area:
  • Total: 261 sq km
    • Saint Kitts 168 sq km
    • Nevis 93 sq km
  • Land: 261 sq km
  • Water: 0 sq km
• Land boundaries: 0 km
• Coastline: 135 km
• Maritime Claims:
  • Territorial sea: 12 nm
  • Contiguous zone: 24 nm
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  • Continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
• Climate: tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
• Terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors
• Elevation Extremes:
  • Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
  • Highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m
• Natural Resources: arable land
• Land Use:
  • Arable land: 19.44%
  • Permanent crops: 2.78%
  • Other: 77.78%
• Natural Hazards: hurricanes (July to October)