From Freepedia
- Basseterre should not be confused with Basse-Terre on Guadeloupe.
Basseterre, estimated population 15,500 (
1990), is the capital of
Saint Kitts and Nevis in the
West Indies. It is located at
17°18′ N 62°44′ W, on
Saint Kitts Island, and it is one of the chief commercial depots of the
Leeward Islands.
Sugar refining is the leading industry. Basseterre was founded by the
French in
1627. Its position as a significant trading port was developed by
De Poincy during his period as French Governor of St Kitts (
1639 -
1660). De Poincy refused to subordinate himself to the French king, and may have regarded his position as Bailiff Grand Cross of the
Knights of St John as demanding more loyalty than was due the king.
