Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Carib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British began settlement in 1623. In 1967, the island territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla became an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. The remaining islands achieved independence in 1983 as Saint Kitts and Nevis. In 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. Nevis continues in its efforts to separate from Saint Kitts.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17 20 N, 62 45 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km)
country comparison to the world: 212
land: 261 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
one and a half times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
135 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
volcanic with mountainous interiors
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 19.23%
permanent crops: 0.38%
other: 80.38% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.18 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.02 cu km (2011)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
hurricanes (July to October)
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)
adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English (official)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
51,134 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 21.9% (male 5,596/female 5,589)
15-24 years: 15.6% (male 3,940/female 4,042)
25-54 years: 45.2% (male 11,782/female 11,353)
55-64 years: 9.5% (male 2,464/female 2,401)
65 years and over: 7.8% (male 1,771/female 2,196) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 33 years
male: 33.1 years
female: 32.9 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.79 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.06 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 32% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
BASSETERRE (capital) 13,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9.2 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 148
male: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 75.07 years
country comparison to the world: 98
male: 72.67 years
female: 77.5 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.78 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 152
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.17 physicians/1,000 population (2001)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.8 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 11
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.2% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 103
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 97.8%
male: NA
female: NA (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2008)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis
former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Basseterre
geographic coordinates: 17 18 N, 62 43 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19 September 1983 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 19 September (1983)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest presented 22 June 1983, effective 23 June 1983 (2011)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English common law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Edmund LAWRENCE (since 2 January 2013)
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral National Assembly (14 seats, 3 appointed and 11 popularly elected from single-member constituencies; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 25 January 2010 (next to be held by 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SKNLP 6, CCM 2, PAM 2, NRP 1
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the itinerant superior court of record for the 9-member Organization of Eastern Caribbean States which includes Saint Kitts and Nevis; the ECSC - with its headquarters on St. Lucia - is headed by the chief justice and comprised of the Court of Appeal with 3 justices and the High Court with 16 judges; sittings of the Court of Appeal and High Court rotate among the member states; 2 High Court judges reside on Saint Kitts and Nevis
judge selection and term of office: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Vance AMORY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Jacinth Lorna HENRY-MARTIN (since 14 February 2011)
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636
FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red; green signifies the island's fertility, red symbolizes the struggles of the people from slavery, yellow denotes year-round sunshine, and black represents the African heritage of the people; the white stars stand for the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, but can also express hope and liberty, or independence and optimism
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
brown pelican
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Oh Land of Beauty!"
lyrics/music: Kenrick Anderson GEORGES
note: adopted 1983
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on tourism; since the 1970s tourism has replaced sugar as the traditional mainstay of the economy. Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry, after several decades of losses. To compensate for lost jobs, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as export-oriented manufacturing and offshore banking. Roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009, but reduced tourism arrivals and foreign investment led to an economic contraction in 2009-2012, and the economy has not yet returned to growth. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand. Furthermore, the government is constrained by one of the world's highest public debt burdens - equivalent to roughly 140% of GDP in 2012 - largely attributable to public enterprise losses.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$921 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$724.1 million (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$16,100 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 72.7%
government consumption: 10.6%
investment in fixed capital: 28.3%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 33.5%
imports of goods and services: -45%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 1.9%
industry: 23.4%
services: 74.7% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18,170 (June 1995)
country comparison to the world: 210
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.5% (1997)
country comparison to the world: 40
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $223.3 million
expenditures: $197 million (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
144% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 55
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.73% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$200.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$964.1 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$809.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$598.4 million (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 110
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-70.8 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$68.6 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery, food, electronics, beverages, tobacco
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 56%, Canada 9.8%, Bangladesh 6.2% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$225.6 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery, manufactures, food, fuels
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 31.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 19.9%, Italy 7%, Germany 6%, Barbados 4.7% (2012)
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$189.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
135 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
125.6 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
55,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 180
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,496 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,784 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 188
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
302,700 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 186
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
84,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 196
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: good interisland and international connections
domestic: interisland links via Eastern Caribbean Fiber Optic cable; construction of enhanced wireless infrastructure launched in November 2004; fixed-line teledensity about 40 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 170 per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-869; connected internationally by the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables (2010)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the government operates a national TV network that broadcasts on 2 channels; cable subscription services provide access to local and international channels; the government operates a national radio network; a mix of government-owned and privately owned broadcasters operate roughly 15 radio stations (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.kn
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
54 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 213
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 197
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 204
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 50 km
country comparison to the world: 130
narrow gauge: 50 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 383 km
country comparison to the world: 200
paved: 163 km
unpaved: 220 km (2002)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 152
country comparison to the world: 38
by type: bulk carrier 16, cargo 81, chemical tanker 4, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, liquefied gas 3, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 27, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 73 (Belgium 1, China 1, Egypt 1, Greece 2, India 2, Japan 2, Malaysia 1, Norway 3, Pakistan 1, Russia 13, Singapore 10, Turkey 18, UAE 8, UK 1, Ukraine 8, US 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Basseterre, Charlestown
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Labour, Immigration, and Social Security: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (includes Coast Guard), Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 13,506
females age 16-49: 13,089 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 10,742
females age 16-49: 10,923 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 380
female: 422 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its Economic Exclusion Zone/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea