An
independent federation of the leeward islands in the
west indies, consisting of
saint christopher, nevis, and sombrero. Its capital is basseterre. It was discovered by columbus in 1493, settled by the british in 1625, the
first of the leeward islands to be colonised by them. It was held jointly by the
french and
english 1628-1713,
but returned to great britain by the treaty of utrecht in 1713. It was held by the
french 1782-83. Under the british for the
following 200 years, it gained its
independence in 1983.