Saint George Basseterre Parish – Basseterre, capital of the federation
Saint George Basseterre is home to Basseterre, the capital of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The town's French name, meaning 'low land', recalls the period when French and English settlers shared Saint Kitts. Over the centuries Basseterre grew into the island's main port and trading centre, where sugar was shipped and goods arrived from across the Atlantic.
Today it is the largest parish on Saint Kitts and by far the most populous in the federation, holding nearly a third of the country's people. Its squares, churches and historic buildings reflect a long and layered past, while modern life bustles along the waterfront. Do you have a story or family memory from Basseterre? Share it with the community!