Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Region: Saint George Basseterre

---

Geographic Coordinates: 17.300000, -62.733300

Climate: Tropical climate with consistent temperatures and rainfall throughout the year in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Population: 13220

Language: English

---

Basseterre is the capital city of Saint Kitts and Nevis, A small island nation located in the Caribbean Sea. The city is situated on the western coast of Saint Kitts Island and serves as the cultural, Commercial, And administrative center of the country. Basseterre has a population of approximately 13, 000 people and covers an area of 8 square miles. The city’s history dates back to the early 17th century when it was founded by French settlers who named it Basse-Terre, Which means low land in French.

Over time, Basseterre became an important trading hub for sugar cane, Rum, Cotton, And tobacco. Today visitors can still see remnants of this colonial past in its architecture. One notable example is Independence Square (formerly known as Pall Mall Square), Which was once used for slave auctions but now serves as a gathering place for festivals and events. Other historic landmarks include St. George’s Anglican Church (built-in 1670) and Fort George (built-in 1806), Both offering stunning views over Basseterre Bay.

In addition to its historical attractions, Basseterre offers plenty of modern amenities such as shopping centers like Port Zante that offer duty-free shopping opportunities for tourists looking to buy souvenirs or luxury items at discounted prices. The city also boasts beautiful beaches such as South Friars Beach that provide plenty of opportunities for swimming or sunbathing while enjoying breathtaking views over crystal clear waters surrounded by lush greenery.

For those interested in nature experiences beyond its beaches & scenic beauty; there are several hiking trails available nearby including Mount Liamuiga – one among many dormant volcanoes dotting this small island nation – offering challenging treks through dense rainforest terrain leading up towards spectacular panoramic vistas overlooking surrounding islands & sea-scapes below! Overall Basseterre is a vibrant destination filled with rich history & culture combined with natural beauty that attracts tourists from all over the world. Its warm climate, Friendly locals, And diverse range of activities make it an ideal place to visit for a relaxing vacation.

---

---

1. Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park
2. Independence Square
3. St. George’s Anglican Church
4. Berkeley Memorial Clock Tower
5. The Circus (Roundabout)
6. Romney Manor and Caribelle Batik Factory
7. Timothy Hill Lookout Point
8. Frigate Bay Beach
9. Fairview Great House & Botanical Garden
10. Saddlers Village Heritage Walk

---

• Tourism
• Financial services
• Agriculture (sugar cane, cotton, fruits)
• Manufacturing (electronics, textiles)
• Construction
• Real estate
• Small businesses such as restaurants, bars and shops catering to tourists

---



Noteable History

1. The arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493, who named the island Saint Christopher (later shortened to St. Kitts).
2. The establishment of the first permanent English settlement in the Caribbean on St. Kitts in 1623.
3. The arrival of French settlers on neighboring island Nevis in 1628.
4. The construction of Brimstone Hill Fortress on St. Kitts between 1690 and 1790, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. The abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834, which had a significant impact on the economy and society of St. Kitts and Nevis.
6. The birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers who was born on Nevis in 1755.
7. The establishment of Basseterre as the capital city during British colonial rule.
8. Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw led St.Kitts and Nevis to independence from Britain as its first Prime Minister.
9. Terence Drew – A famous calypsonian from Saint Kitts.
10. Dr Kennedy Simmonds- First Premier after Independence.

---



Museums and Things To See

1. National Museum of Saint Kitts showcases the history and culture of Saint Kitts and Nevis, including exhibits on slavery, sugar production, and the island’s colonial past.
2. Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a well-preserved 17th-century fortress that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Berkeley Memorial honors Thomas Berkeley, a former governor of Saint Kitts who was instrumental in developing the island’s infrastructure.
4. Independence Square is located in the heart of Basseterre and serves as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike; it’s surrounded by historic buildings.
5. The Circus is one of Basseterre’s most recognizable landmarks; it features a Victorian-style clock tower at its center and is a roundabout.
6. St George’s Anglican Church was built in 1670; it’s one of the oldest surviving structures on Saint Kitts and features beautiful stained glass windows as well as an impressive pipe organ.
7. Caribelle Batik Studio allows visitors to watch local artisans create beautiful batik fabrics using traditional techniques at this studio/shop located just outside Basseterre.
8. Romney Manor was once owned by Thomas Jefferson’s great-grandfather; this 18th-century estate now houses a botanical garden with exotic plants from around the world.
9. Timothy Hill Lookout Point offers breathtaking views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea; it’s located on a narrow isthmus between two bays that makes for an incredible scenic overlook spot!
10. Fairview Great House & Botanical Garden features period furnishings, artifacts, extensive gardens filled with tropical plants/flowers- all housed within this restored plantation house!

---



---



Sports Teams

1. St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots is a professional cricket team that competes in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The team was founded in 2015 and has made it to the playoffs twice.
2. Newtown United FC is a professional football club that plays in the top tier of Saint Kitts and Nevis football, the SKNFA Premier League. The club has won several league titles over its history, including most recently in 2017.
3. Rams Village Superstars FC is another prominent football club in Saint Kitts and Nevis that competes in the SKNFA Premier League. The club has won multiple league titles over its history, including most recently in 2020.
4. Sandy Point Progressive Cricket Club is a cricket team based out of Sandy Point on the island of Saint Kitts. The club has been around for over 50 years and has won numerous local championships during that time.
5. Cayon Rockets Basketball Club is one of the top basketball teams on Saint Kitts, competing against other clubs from across the island as well as neighboring islands like Antigua and Barbuda.
6. St Paul’s United Volleyball Team is one of several volleyball clubs on Saint Kitts that competes against other teams from across the island as well as regional competitions throughout the Caribbean region.
7. Basseterre High School boasts an impressive track & field program with multiple athletes having competed at international competitions such as CARIFTA Games representing their country with distinction over many years’ time.

---

---



Cultural Events

1. St. Kitts Music Festival is a three-day event that features both local and international artists performing various genres of music.
2. National Carnival is a two-week celebration held in December that includes parades, calypso competitions, and other cultural events.
3. Nevis Mango & Food Festival is an annual festival held in July that celebrates the island’s mango harvest with food tastings and culinary demonstrations.
4. Emancipation Day is celebrated on August 1st to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the British colonies.
5. Culturama is a week-long festival held on Nevis Island in August that showcases traditional music, dance, and cuisine.
6. Independence Day is celebrated annually on September 19th to mark Saint Kitts and Nevis’ independence from Britain in 1983.
7. Easter Regatta is an annual sailing competition held over Easter weekend featuring races between local boats as well as visiting yachts from around the world.
8. Green Valley Festival is a week-long festival held annually in February/March showcasing traditional folk music, dance performances, and street parades.
9. The Caribbean Fine Art Fair is an annual art exhibition hosted by the St Kitts Marriott Resort showcasing works by artists from across the Caribbean region.

---



Cuisine

Traditional Foods in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis:

1. Saltfish and dumplings
2. Conch fritters
3. Goat water (a spicy stew made with goat meat)
4. Lobster
5. Jerk chicken

Popular Restaurants in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis:

1. The Fisherman’s Wharf: a seafood restaurant located on the waterfront with a variety of fresh seafood dishes.
2. Sprat Net: a casual eatery serving local Caribbean cuisine such as conch fritters, fish cakes, and jerk chicken.
3. Serendipity: an upscale restaurant offering fine dining with Caribbean-inspired dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.
4. Rituals Coffee House: a café chain serving coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and other light bites.
5. Shiggidy Shack: a beachfront bar and grill serving burgers, tacos, salads as well as live music events on weekends.

---



Parks and Recreation

1. Independence Square is a popular public square for both locals and tourists. It offers a large fountain, benches, and shaded areas perfect for relaxation.
2. Warner Park is a multi-purpose stadium that hosts various cultural events such as cricket and football matches, as well as concerts.
3. Port Zante is a waterfront area where visitors can enjoy strolling along the boardwalk or taking a boat tour of the harbor. It also features many shops, restaurants, and bars.
4. Timothy Hill Lookout provides stunning views of both the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean from its scenic viewpoint.
5. Frigate Bay Beach is a well-known beach that’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling or jet skiing.
6. Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring panoramic views of Saint Kitts’ coastline from its 17th-century fortress.
7. St Kitts Scenic Railway Tour offers visitors to experience Saint Kitts’ scenic beauty while riding aboard an old-fashioned train through sugar cane fields and historic sites.
8. Caribelle Batik Factory & Gardens allows visitors to watch artisans create beautiful batik fabrics while exploring lush tropical gardens filled with exotic plants and flowers.
9. Mount Liamuiga Hike is ideal for adventurous hikers who want to climb up Saint Kitts’ highest peak (3,792 feet) for breathtaking views of the island’s interior rainforest region.
10. Royal St Kitts Golf Club caters to golf enthusiasts who can enjoy playing on this championship course boasting stunning ocean views from every hole.

---



Pack Your Bags!

---