FACTS

Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago

Area (only Total) total: 261 sq km

Climate: tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors

Population: 39,817

Main Language (only first): English

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital (Name): Basseterre

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-4

Independence: 19 September 1983

National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September