Topic: Photos of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Topic: Introduction
Background: Carib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British and French began settlement in 1623. During the course of the 17th century, Saint Kitts became the premier base for English and French expansion into the Caribbean. The French ceded the territory to the UK in 1713. At the turn of the 18th century, Saint Kitts was the richest British Crown Colony per capita in the Caribbean, a result of the sugar trade. Although small in size and separated by only 3 km (2 mi) of water, Saint Kitts and Nevis were viewed and governed as different states until the late-19th century, when the British forcibly unified them along with the island of Anguilla. In 1967, the island territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla became an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. The remaining islands achieved independence in 1983 as Saint Kitts and Nevis. In 1998, a referendum on Nevis to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority vote needed.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
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
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km)

land: 261 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 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: highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 23.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 19.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 3.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 42.3% (2018 est.)

other: 34.6% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 8 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands
Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to October)volcanism: Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m) on Saint Kitts, and Nevis Peak (985 m) on Nevis, are both volcanoes that are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the southhurricanes (July to October)volcanism: Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m) on Saint Kitts, and Nevis Peak (985 m) on Nevis, are both volcanoes that are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south
Geography - note: smallest country in the Western Hemisphere both in terms of area and population; with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island
Map description: Saint Kitts and Nevis map shows a few of the major features on these two islands in the Caribbean Sea.Saint Kitts and Nevis map shows a few of the major features on these two islands in the Caribbean Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 54,488 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)

adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian
Ethnic groups: African descent 92.5%, mixed 3%, White 2.1%, East Indian 1.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2001 est.)
Languages: English (official)
Religions: Protestant 75.6% (includes Anglican 16.6%, Methodist 15.8%, Pentecostal 10.8%, Church of God 7.4%, Baptist 5.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Wesleyan Holiness 5.3%, Moravian 4.8%, Evangelical 2.1%, Brethren 1.7%, Presbyterian 0.3%), Roman Catholic 5.9%, Hindu 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other 5%, none 8.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.87% (male 5,357/female 5,336)

15-24 years: 13.46% (male 3,504/female 3,741)

25-54 years: 43.64% (male 12,010/female 11,477)

55-64 years: 13.03% (male 3,527/female 3,485)

65 years and over: 10% (2020 est.) (male 2,540/female 2,844)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA

youth dependency ratio: NA

elderly dependency ratio: NA

potential support ratio: NA
Median age: total: 36.5 years

male: 36.7 years

female: 36.3 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.61% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 12.24 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.27 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands
Urbanization: urban population: 31% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 14,000 BASSETERRE (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 8.35 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.69 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.08 years

male: 74.63 years

female: 79.58 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.3% of population

rural: 98.3% of population

total: 98.3% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population

rural: 1.7% of population

total: 1.7% of population (2015 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5.4% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.77 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 87.3% of population

rural: 87.3% of population

total: 87.3% of population

unimproved: urban: 12.7% of population

rural: 12.7% of population

total: 12.7% of population (2017 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2018) <200
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 22.9% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2015 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years

male: 16 years

female: 19 years (2015)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion and silting affects marine life on coral reefs; water pollution from uncontrolled dumping of sewage
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 12.31 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.24 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.1 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Land use: agricultural land: 23.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 19.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 3.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 42.3% (2018 est.)

other: 34.6% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 31% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 32,892 tons (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 15.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 200,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 24 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis

former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis

etymology: 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

note: Nevis is pronounced nee-vis
Government type: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital: name: Basseterre

geographic coordinates: 17 18 N, 62 43 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the French name translates as "low land" in English; the reference is to the city's low-lying location within a valley, as well as to the fact that the city is on the leeward (downwind) part of the island, and is thus a safe anchorage
Administrative divisions: 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
Independence: 19 September 1983 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983)
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
Legal system: English common law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 14 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Samuel W.T. SEATON (since 2 September 2015); note - SEATON was Acting Governor General from 20 May to 2 September 2015

head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance DREW (since 6 August 2022); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey HANLEY (since 13 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 (14 or 15 seats, depending on inclusion of 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%; seats by party - SKNLP 6, CCM 3, PLP 1, CCM 1
Judicial branch: highest courts: 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 Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; 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
Political parties and leaders: Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Mark BRANTLEY]
Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Janice DANIEL-HODGE]
People's Action Movement or PAM [Shawn RICHARDS]
People's Labour Party or PLP [Dr. Timothy HARRIS]
Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Terrance DREW]
International organization participation: ACP, 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
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Thelma Patricia PHILLIP-BROWNE (since 28 January 2016)

chancery: 1203 19th St. NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636

FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740

email address and website: info@embskn.com

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
Flag description: 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
National symbol(s): brown pelican, royal poinciana (flamboyant) tree; national colors: green, yellow, red, black, white
National anthem: name: "Oh Land of Beauty!"

lyrics/music: Kenrick Anderson GEORGES

note: adopted 1983
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on tourism; since the 1970s, tourism has replaced sugar as the economy’s traditional mainstay. Roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009, but reduced tourism arrivals and foreign investment led to an economic contraction in the 2009-2013 period, and the economy returned to growth only in 2014. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand.   Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after several decades of losses. To compensate for lost jobs, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as export-oriented manufacturing and offshore banking. The government has made notable progress in reducing its public debt, from 154% of GDP in 2011 to 83% in 2013, although it still faces one of the highest levels in the world, largely attributable to public enterprise losses. Saint Kitts and Nevis is among other countries in the Caribbean that supplement their economic activity through economic citizenship programs, whereby foreigners can obtain citizenship from Saint Kitts and Nevis by investing there.The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on tourism; since the 1970s, tourism has replaced sugar as the economy’s traditional mainstay. Roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009, but reduced tourism arrivals and foreign investment led to an economic contraction in the 2009-2013 period, and the economy returned to growth only in 2014. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand. Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after several decades of losses. To compensate for lost jobs, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as export-oriented manufacturing and offshore banking. The government has made notable progress in reducing its public debt, from 154% of GDP in 2011 to 83% in 2013, although it still faces one of the highest levels in the world, largely attributable to public enterprise losses. Saint Kitts and Nevis is among other countries in the Caribbean that supplement their economic activity through economic citizenship programs, whereby foreigners can obtain citizenship from Saint Kitts and Nevis by investing there.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.24 billion (2020 est.)

$1.39 billion (2019 est.)

$1.36 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.1% (2017 est.)

2.9% (2016 est.)

2.7% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $23,300 (2020 est.)

$26,200 (2019 est.)

$25,900 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $964 million (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0% (2017 est.)

-0.3% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.1% (2017 est.)

industry: 30% (2017 est.)

services: 68.9% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 41.4% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 25.9% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 30.8% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 62.5% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -60.4% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: coconuts, tropical fruit, roots/tubers, vegetables, sweet potatoes, pulses, watermelons, carrots/turnips, eggs, tomatoes
Industries: tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 18,170 (June 1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.5% (1997)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 307 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: 291.1 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 1.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 62.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

61.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 31.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$97 million (2017 est.)

-$102 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $610 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$53.9 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: United States 69%, Germany 8%, Italy 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: low-voltage protection equipment, broadcasting equipment, measuring instruments, electric motor parts, electrical transformers (2019)
Imports: $590 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$307.9 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: United States 59%, Peru 6%, Germany 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, jewelry, ships, cars, poultry meats, cement (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $365.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$320.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $201.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$187.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

2.7 (2017 est.)

2.7 (2016 est.)

2.7 (2015 est.)

2.7 (2014 est.)

2.7 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 71,000 kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 175.34 million kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 40 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 96.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 3.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 1,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 1,743 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 268,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 268,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 71.96 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 15,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 78,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 147 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) and LTE markets; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes greatly to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020)

domestic: interisland links via ECFS; fixed-line teledensity about 33 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 148 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 1-869; landing points for the ECFS, Southern Caribbean Fiber and the SSCS submarine cables providing connectivity for numerous Caribbean Islands (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: the government operates a national TV network that broadcasts on 2 channels; cable subscription services provide access to local and international channels; the government operates a national radio network; a mix of government-owned and privately owned broadcasters operate roughly 15 radio stations (2019)
Internet country code: .kn
Internet users: total: 42,796 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 81% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 30,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 56 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: V4
Airports: total: 2 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)
Railways: total: 50 km (2008)

narrow gauge: 50 km (2008) 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists
Roadways: total: 383 km (2002)

paved: 163 km (2002)

unpaved: 220 km (2002)
Merchant marine: total: 244

by type: bulk carrier 6, container ship 7, general cargo 45, oil tanker 53, other 133 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Basseterre, Charlestown

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Ministry of National Security: St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (SKNDF), St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (includes a paramilitary Special Services Unit) (2022)
Military and security service personnel strengths: the SKNDF has approximately 400 personnel (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the SKNDF is lightly armed with equipment from Belgium, the UK, and the US (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (under 18 with written parental permission); no conscription (2021)
Military - note: St. Kitts joined the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) in 1984; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2022)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Saint Kitts and Nevis-Venezuela: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean SeaSaint Kitts and Nevis-Venezuela: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
Illicit drugs: a transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbeana transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbean


This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year; in the World entry only, it includes four subfields that describe climate extremes:

ten driest places on earth (average annual precipitation) describes the annual average precipitation measured in both millimeters and inches for selected countries with climate extremes.
ten wettest places on earth (average annual precipitation) describes the annual average precipitation measured in both millimeters and inches for selected countries with climate extremes.
ten coldest places on earth (lowest average monthly temperature) describes temperature measured in both degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit as well as the month of the year for selected countries with climate extremes.
ten hottest places on earth (highest average monthly temperature) describes the temperature measured both in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit as well the month of the year for selected countries with climate extremes.ten wettest places on earth (average annual precipitation) describes the annual average precipitation measured in both millimeters and inches for selected countries with climate extremes.ten coldest places on earth (lowest average monthly temperature) describes temperature measured in both degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit as well as the month of the year for selected countries with climate extremes.ten hottest places on earth (highest average monthly temperature) describes the temperature measured both in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit as well the month of the year for selected countries with climate extremes.

Topic: Afghanistanarid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers

Topic: Akrotiritemperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Topic: Albaniamild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter

Topic: Algeriaarid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer

Topic: American Samoatropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation

Topic: Andorratemperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers

Topic: Angolasemiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

Topic: Anguillatropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Topic: Antarcticathe coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth; severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing; summers characterized by continuous daylight, while winters bring continuous darkness; persistent high pressure over the interior brings dry, subsiding air that results in very little cloud cover

Topic: Antigua and Barbudatropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation

Topic: Arctic Oceanpolar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature range; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow

Topic: Argentinamostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Topic: Armeniahighland continental, hot summers, cold winters

Topic: Arubatropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandstropical

Topic: Atlantic Oceantropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near Cabo Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can occur from May to December but are most frequent from August to November

Topic: Australiagenerally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north

Topic: Austriatemperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers

Topic: Azerbaijandry, semiarid steppe

Topic: Bahamas, Thetropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Topic: Bahrainarid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Topic: Bangladeshtropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)

Topic: Barbadostropical; rainy season (June to October)

Topic: Belaruscold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime

Topic: Belgiumtemperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Topic: Belizetropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)

Topic: Benintropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Topic: Bermudasubtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

Topic: Bhutanvaries; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas

Topic: Boliviavaries with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinahot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast

Topic: Botswanasemiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Topic: Bouvet Islandantarctic

Topic: Brazilmostly tropical, but temperate in south

Topic: British Indian Ocean Territorytropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds

Topic: British Virgin Islandssubtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

Topic: Bruneitropical; hot, humid, rainy

Topic: Bulgariatemperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers

Topic: Burkina Fasothree climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desertthree climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert

Topic: Burmatropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)

Topic: Burundiequatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees Celsius but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January)

Topic: Cabo Verdetemperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic

Topic: Cambodiatropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation

Topic: Cameroonvaries with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north

Topic: Canadavaries from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north

Topic: Cayman Islandstropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

Topic: Central African Republictropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers

Topic: Chadtropical in south, desert in north

Topic: Chiletemperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south

Topic: Chinaextremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north

Topic: Christmas Islandtropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds

Topic: Clipperton Islandtropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees Celsius, wet season (May to October)

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandstropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year

Topic: Colombiatropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

Topic: Comorostropical marine; rainy season (November to May)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October)

Topic: Congo, Republic of thetropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator

Topic: Cook Islandstropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March

Topic: Coral Sea Islandstropical

Topic: Costa Ricatropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands

Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)

Topic: CroatiaMediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast

Topic: Cubatropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)

Topic: Curacaotropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/yeartropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year

Topic: Cyprustemperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Topic: Czechiatemperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Topic: Denmarktemperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers

Topic: Dhekeliatemperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Topic: Djiboutidesert; torrid, dry

Topic: Dominicatropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall

Topic: Dominican Republictropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall

Topic: Ecuadortropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Topic: Egyptdesert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters

Topic: El Salvadortropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands

Topic: Equatorial Guineatropical; always hot, humid

Topic: Eritreahot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands

Topic: Estoniamaritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Topic: Eswatinivaries from tropical to near temperate

Topic: Ethiopiatropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation

Topic: European Unioncold temperate; potentially subarctic in the north to temperate; mild wet winters; hot dry summers in the south

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 60 cm in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but typically does not accumulate

Topic: Faroe Islandsmild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy

Topic: Fijitropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation

Topic: Finlandcold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes

Topic: Francemetropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral; French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation; Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; Mayotte: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November); Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)metropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral;French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation;Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average;Mayotte: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November);Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)

Topic: French Polynesiatropical, but moderate

Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsIle Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity; Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy; Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy; Iles Eparses: tropicalIle Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity; Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy; Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy; Iles Eparses: tropical

Topic: Gabontropical; always hot, humid

Topic: Gambia, Thetropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

Topic: Gaza Striptemperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers

Topic: Georgiawarm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast

Topic: Germanytemperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind

Topic: Ghanatropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north

Topic: GibraltarMediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

Topic: Greecetemperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers

Topic: Greenlandarctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Topic: Grenadatropical; tempered by northeast trade winds

Topic: Guamtropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation

Topic: Guatemalatropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands

Topic: Guernseytemperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast

Topic: Guineagenerally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

Topic: Guinea-Bissautropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

Topic: Guyanatropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)

Topic: Haititropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds

Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsantarctic

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)

Topic: Hondurassubtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains

Topic: Hong Kongsubtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall

Topic: Hungarytemperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Topic: Icelandtemperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers

Topic: Indiavaries from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north

Topic: Indian Oceannortheast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February in the southern Indian Ocean

Topic: Indonesiatropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands

Topic: Iranmostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast

Topic: Iraqmostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq

Topic: Irelandtemperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time

Topic: Isle of Mantemperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time

Topic: Israeltemperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas

Topic: Italypredominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south

Topic: Jamaicatropical; hot, humid; temperate interior

Topic: Jan Mayenarctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog

Topic: Japanvaries from tropical in south to cool temperate in north

Topic: Jerseytemperate; mild winters and cool summers

Topic: Jordanmostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)

Topic: Kazakhstancontinental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid

Topic: Kenyavaries from tropical along coast to arid in interior

Topic: Kiribatitropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds

Topic: Korea, Northtemperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters

Topic: Korea, Southtemperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters

Topic: Kosovoinfluenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December

Topic: Kuwaitdry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters

Topic: Kyrgyzstandry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

Topic: Laostropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)

Topic: Latviamaritime; wet, moderate winters

Topic: LebanonMediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows

Topic: Lesothotemperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Topic: Liberiatropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers

Topic: LibyaMediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior

Topic: Liechtensteincontinental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers

Topic: Lithuaniatransitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers

Topic: Luxembourgmodified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Topic: Macausubtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers

Topic: Madagascartropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Topic: Malawisub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)

Topic: Malaysiatropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons

Topic: Maldivestropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)

Topic: Malisubtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February)

Topic: MaltaMediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

Topic: Marshall Islandstropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt

Topic: Mauritaniadesert; constantly hot, dry, dusty

Topic: Mauritiustropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)

Topic: Mexicovaries from tropical to desert

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage

Topic: Moldovamoderate winters, warm summers

Topic: MonacoMediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers

Topic: Mongoliadesert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)

Topic: MontenegroMediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland

Topic: Montserrattropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Topic: MoroccoMediterranean in the north, becoming more extreme in the interior; in the south, hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew

note:  data does not include former Western Sahara

Topic: Mozambiquetropical to subtropical

Topic: Namibiadesert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

Topic: Naurutropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)

Topic: Navassa Islandmarine, tropical

Topic: Nepalvaries from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south

Topic: Netherlandstemperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

Topic: New Caledoniatropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid

Topic: New Zealandtemperate with sharp regional contrasts

Topic: Nicaraguatropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands

Topic: Nigerdesert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south

Topic: Nigeriavaries; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north

Topic: Niuetropical; modified by southeast trade winds

Topic: Norfolk Islandsubtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation

Topic: North Macedoniawarm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall

Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October

Topic: Norwaytemperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast

Topic: Omandry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south

Topic: Pacific Oceanplanetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to December

Topic: Pakistanmostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north

Topic: Palautropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

Topic: Panamatropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)

Topic: Papua New Guineatropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation

Topic: Paracel Islandstropical

Topic: Paraguaysubtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Topic: Peruvaries from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes

Topic: Philippinestropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Topic: Pitcairn Islandstropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March)

Topic: Polandtemperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers

Topic: Portugalmaritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south

Topic: Puerto Ricotropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Topic: Qatararid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Topic: Romaniatemperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms

Topic: Russiaranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast

Topic: Rwandatemperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible

Topic: Saint Barthelemytropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid)

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaSaint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds; Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild, semi-arid; Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)Saint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds; Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild, semi-arid; Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Topic: Saint Luciatropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August

Topic: Saint Martintemperature averages 27-29 degrees Celsius all year long; low humidity, gentle trade winds, brief, intense rain showers; hurricane season stretches from July to November

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miqueloncold and wet, with considerable mist and fog; spring and autumn are often windy

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Topic: Samoatropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)

Topic: San MarinoMediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers

Topic: Sao Tome and Principetropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)

Topic: Saudi Arabiaharsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Topic: Senegaltropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind

Topic: Serbiain the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well-distributed rainfall); in other parts, continental and Mediterranean climate (relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns)

Topic: Seychellestropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)

Topic: Sierra Leonetropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)

Topic: Singaporetropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms

Topic: Sint Maartentropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to Novembertropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to November

Topic: Slovakiatemperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Topic: SloveniaMediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east

Topic: Solomon Islandstropical monsoon; few temperature and weather extremes

Topic: Somaliaprincipally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons

Topic: South Africamostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights

Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsvariable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow

Topic: South Sudanhot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north

Topic: Southern Oceansea temperatures vary from about 10 degrees Celsius to -2 degrees Celsius; cyclonic storms travel eastward around the continent and frequently are intense because of the temperature contrast between ice and open ocean; the ocean area from about latitude 40 south to the Antarctic Circle has the strongest average winds found anywhere on Earth; in winter the ocean freezes outward to 65 degrees south latitude in the Pacific sector and 55 degrees south latitude in the Atlantic sector, lowering surface temperatures well below 0 degrees Celsius; at some coastal points intense persistent drainage winds from the interior keep the shoreline ice-free throughout the winter

Topic: Spaintemperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast

Topic: Spratly Islandstropical

Topic: Sri Lankatropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)

Topic: Sudanhot and dry; arid desert; rainy season varies by region (April to November)

Topic: Surinametropical; moderated by trade winds

Topic: Svalbardarctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year

Topic: Swedentemperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north

Topic: Switzerlandtemperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers

Topic: Syriamostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus

Topic: Taiwantropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year

Topic: Tajikistanmid-latitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains

Topic: Tanzaniavaries from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands

Topic: Thailandtropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid

Topic: Timor-Lestetropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons

Topic: Togotropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Topic: Tokelautropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)

Topic: Tongatropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)

Topic: Trinidad and Tobagotropical; rainy season (June to December)

Topic: Tunisiatemperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south

Topic: Turkeytemperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior

Topic: Turkmenistansubtropical desert

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry

Topic: Tuvalutropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)

Topic: Ugandatropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast

Topic: Ukrainetemperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; warm summers across the greater part of the country, hot in the south

Topic: United Arab Emiratesdesert; cooler in eastern mountains

Topic: United Kingdomtemperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast

Topic: United Statesmostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains

note: many consider Denali, the highest peak in the US, to be the world’s coldest mountain because of its combination of high elevation and its subarctic location at 63 degrees north latitude; permanent snow and ice cover over 75 percent of the mountain, and enormous glaciers, up to 45 miles long and 3,700 feet thick, spider out from its base in every direction; it is home to some of the world’s coldest and most violent weather, where winds of over 150 miles per hour and temperatures of -93˚F have been recorded.

Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesBaker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun; Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation; Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter; Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each yearBaker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun; Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation; Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter; Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each year

Topic: Uruguaywarm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Topic: Uzbekistanmostly mid-latitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east

Topic: Vanuatutropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April

Topic: Venezuelatropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands

Topic: Vietnamtropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March)

Topic: Virgin Islandssubtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November

Topic: Wake Islandtropical

Topic: Wallis and Futunatropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius

Topic: West Banktemperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters

Topic: Worlda wide equatorial band of hot and humid tropical climates, bordered north and south by subtropical temperate zones that separate two large areas of cold and dry polar climates

Ten Driest Places on Earth (Average Annual Precipitation): McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica 0 mm (0 in)
Arica, Chile 0.76 mm (0.03 in)
Al Kufrah, Libya 0.86 mm (0.03 in)
Aswan, Egypt 0.86 mm (0.03 in)
Luxor, Egypt 0.86 mm (0.03 in)
Ica, Peru 2.29 mm (0.09 in)
Wadi Halfa, Sudan 2.45 mm (0.1 in)
Iquique, Chile 5.08 mm (0.2 in)
Pelican Point, Namibia 8.13 mm (0.32 in)
El Arab (Aoulef), Algeria 12.19 mm (0.48 in)

Ten Wettest Places on Earth (Average Annual Precipitation): Mawsynram, India 11,871 mm (467.4 in)
Cherrapunji, India 11,777 mm (463.7 in)
Tutunendo, Colombia 11,770 mm (463.4 in)
Cropp River, New Zealand 11,516 mm (453.4 in)
San Antonia de Ureca, Equatorial Guinea 10,450 mm (411.4 in)
Debundsha, Cameroon 10,299 mm (405.5 in)
Big Bog, US (Hawaii) 10,272 mm (404.4 in)
Mt Waialeale, US (Hawaii) 9,763 mm (384.4 in)
Kukui, US (Hawaii) 9,293 mm (365.9 in)
Emeishan, China 8,169 mm (321.6 in)

Ten Coldest Places on Earth (Lowest Average Monthly Temperature): Verkhoyansk, Russia (Siberia) -47°C (-53°F) January
Oymyakon, Russia (Siberia) -46°C (-52°F) January
Eureka, Canada -38.4°C (-37.1°F) February
Isachsen, Canada -36°C (-32.8°F) February
Alert, Canada -34°C (-28°F) February
Kap Morris Jesup, Greenland -34°C (-29°F) March
Cornwallis Island, Canada -33.5°C (-28.3°F) February
Cambridge Bay, Canada -33.5°C (28.3°F) February
Ilirnej, Russia -33°C (-28°F) January
Resolute, Canada -33°C (-27.4°F) February

Ten Hottest Places on Earth (Highest Average Monthly Temperature): Death Valley, US (California) 39°C (101°F) July
Iranshahr, Iran 38.3°C (100.9°F) June
Ouallene, Algeria 38°C (100.4°F) July
Kuwait City, Kuwait 37.7°C (100°F) July
Medina, Saudi Arabia 36°C (97°F) July
Buckeye, US (Arizona) 34°C (93°F) July
Jazan, Saudi Arabia 33°C (91°F) June
Al Kufrah, Libya 31°C (87°F) July
Alice Springs, Australia 29°C (84°F) January
Tamanrasset, Algeria 29°C (84°F) June

Topic: Yemenmostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east

Topic: Zambiatropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)

Topic: Zimbabwetropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)