Basseterre is the capital and chief port of the Caribbean nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It lies on the southwestern coast of Saint Kitts (or Saint Christopher), the larger of the two islands that make up the country.

Places of interest

Basseterre is a historic city with buildings dating from the era when Saint Kitts and Nevis was a British colony. Among them are the Government House and St. George's Anglican Church. The Circus, a circular intersection at the center of town, is modeled after Piccadilly Circus in London. Nearby is Independence Square, built in the late 18th century for council meetings and slave auctions. The Brimstone Hill Fortress, which sits on a hill outside the city, was constructed by the British in the late 17th century. It offers spectacular views of the islands.

Economy

The chief industries of Basseterre are tourism and sugar refining. The city is a distribution center for sugar, molasses, salt, cotton, clothing, footwear, and beverages.

History

The French settled Saint Kitts and established Basseterre in 1627. The English settled Nevis in 1628. After a long power struggle, Basseterre and the rest of both islands became a British possession in 1783. Basseterre was rebuilt after a fire destroyed the town in 1867. In 1983 Saint Kitts and Nevis became an independent nation and Basseterre was made the capital. Population (1994 estimate), 12,605.