Basseterre - History, Geographical Setting, Around town, The City, Religion, Economy, Transportation, Prominent people

17°17N 62°43W, pop (2000e) 15 200. Capital and chief port of St Kitts-Nevis, N Leeward Is, E Caribbean, on SW coast of St Kitts I; airport; distribution centre; electrical components, garments, data processing, beverages; cathedral.

The city of Basseterre, estimated population 15,500 (2000), is the capital of the federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies. The city lies within the parish of Saint George Basseterre and the southern part of the parish of Saint Peter Basseterre.

Basseterre is one of the oldest towns in the Eastern Caribbean.

History

Basseterre was founded in 1627 by the French, under Sieur Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc. The city was made capital of the entire island of St. Kitts in 1713, following French expulsion from the island and full British control.

The city of Basseterre has one of the most tragic histories of any Caribbean capital, destroyed many times by colonial wars, fire, earthquakes, floods, riots and hurricanes.

Basseterre is the main commercial and industrial centre of St. Kitts.

Despite its small size, Basseterre has proven to be a city with capabilities matching that of any other in the Caribbean.

Basseterre and its environs are also home to many small, American-owned medical schools such as Windsor University, and also two prestigious medical institutions founded by Robert Ross, the Ross University School of Medicine and the International University of Nursing.

Geographical Setting

The city of Basseterre skirts a 2-mile bay on the SouthWestern shore of St. Kitts, Basseterre Bay (locally known as Spawnapuss Bay).

Around town

Basseterre is a very small town and very well laid out, in a grid-lock pattern.

The City

Landmarks/Points of Interest

Independence Square (formerly Pall Mall Square) The Circus St. George's Anglican Church Basseterre Co-Cathedral of Immaculate Conception The Cenotaph St. Kitts Heritage Society National Museum Amina Craft Market Public Market St. Kitts Sugar Factory Museum (under construction using the grounds of the sugar factory which ceased production in 2005) Warner Park Sporting Complex Pelican Shopping Mall Queen Victoria Statue Roundabout Basseterre National Park (under construction) Fort Thomas

Religion

There are a large number of Christian churches in the city for its size.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Basseterre's main exports are rum, beer, foodstuffs and electronics.

The city of Basseterre is home to Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, which lists securities for companies and corporations in the region.

Business / Specifics

Business: Banks are open 8am-2pm, Hours: Monday to Thursday, and 8am-4pm on Fridays.

The main banks are:

Barclays Bank (see FirstCaribbean International Bank), Bank of Nova Scotia, St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

Automatic Teller Machines are available.

Shops are open:

8am-4pm Mondays to Wednesdays 8 am-noon Thursdays 8 am-5pm Fridays and 8am-4pm Saturdays.

Electricity: 230 volts AC, 60 cycles.

Telecommunications: the international dialling code for Saint Kitts and Nevis is 1-869 followed by seven digits.

Emergency Numbers: Police/Ambulance: 911 Fire: 333 JNF General Hospital: 465 2551

Time: GMT-4

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Basseterre is hub for all major roads on the island of St. Kitts.

Public Buses

Public Buses have a Green license plate starting with the letter "H" There are 5 main bus routes on St. Kitts:

Basseterre to Sandy Point travelling West, starting at the Ferry Terminal, Basseterre to Capesterre travelling West, starting at the Ferry Terminal, Basseterre to St. Peter's travelling North, starting at College Street Ghaut, Basseterre to Molyneux travelling East, starting at Baker's Corner and Basseterre to Saddler's travelling East, starting at Baker's Corner.

All bus fees are $2.00 for a trip 4 miles and under, $2.50 for a trip 4 to 8 miles, and $3.00 for a trip over 8 miles. 1 US = 2.7 EC)

No public buses travel southwards to the main resort areas in Frigate Bay and the South East Peninsula.

Taxis

Taxis have yellow license plates starting with the letter "T" The taxi station in Basseterre is located at the Circus (466 6999).

Harbour

The Deep Water Harbour in Basseterre is capable of both hosting and berthing of cruise ships or the handling of cargos.

Port Zante, in the centre of the Bay, is for use of docking cruise ships only.

The bay is also home to the bustling ferry operation which takes place between Basseterre and Charlestown.

Airport

The Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport serves the city of Basseterre, and is located in the city's most North Easternly area.

Railway

St. Kitts' 58km of narrow(0.762m)-gauge railway centre in Basseterre, and swoop the island in a circular pattern. The railway lines, originally built to transport sugar cane to the central sugar factory in Basseterre, are now used to transport tourists via the "St. Kitts Scenic Railway Train" which currently runs from Basseterre to Sandy Point, travelling East.

Prominent people

Famous people born in Basseterre include:

Kim Collins (1976-) world famous sprinter.