Geographical position
Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Is a state located in the eastern part Caribbean... It consists of two islands - Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The total area of the country is 261 km². The capital is the city of Buster, located on the island of Saint Kitts.
By area and population, Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest state in the Western Hemisphere.
This state is a member of the British Commonwealth, headed by the Queen of Great Britain.
In the east, the country borders Antigua and Barbuda, in the southeast - with Montserrat, in the northwest - with Sint Eustatius (a special municipality of the Netherlands), in the north - with Saint Barthelemy (overseas community of France). All boundaries are maritime.
The total length of the country's coastline is 135 km.
The area of the island of Saint Kitts is 168 km², the island of Nevis is 93 km². Both of them are of volcanic origin and mountainous terrain.
On the island of Saint Kitts there is an extinct volcano Llamiuga, whose height is 1155 meters. There is a lake in its crater. In the southeast of the island, there are many salt lakes and bays with sandy beaches.
The island of Nevis lies at 3 km south of the island Saint Kitts and is separated from it by The Narrows Strait. The highest point of the island is the volcano Nevis, its height is 985 meters.
Both islands are surrounded by coral reefs, which are most extensive off the northern and western shores.
The country has a tropical trade wind, hot climate, which is characterized by very small temperature differences. Fluctuations in average monthly temperatures range from +18 C to +24 C. In summer, the air temperature rarely drops below +27 C even at night, and during the day it rarely rises above +30 C.
The average annual rainfall ranges from 700 to 1200 mm per year. Precipitation is distributed depending on the height of the place above sea level and its geographic location... The maximum amount of precipitation falls in the period from May to October-November. Moreover, about 70% of the annual precipitation rate falls on the northern slopes of the mountains. The relatively dry season on the islands lasts from December to April.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is in the midst of severe tropical hurricanes, most likely between August and October.
The best time to visit the country is between June and August, when the weather is relatively dry and cool.
Visas, entry regulations, customs regulations
To visit the country, Russian citizens need to obtain a visa. You can issue it online. To do this, you need to fill out a form on the website of the island government.
In Russia, there are no diplomatic missions of the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, their interests are represented by the British Embassy.
If a positive decision is made, a visa confirmation is sent to the applicant's e-mail address, which must be printed out and presented along with the passport when entering the country.
A visa is usually issued within 1-3 days. The duration of the visa is determined in accordance with the terms specified in the visa application form.
The import of national and foreign currencies is not limited, but the declaration is required. The export of local and foreign currencies is limited to the amount declared in the entry declaration.
Persons over 18 years of age can import into the country a small amount of cigarettes, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages duty-free.
Weapons and drugs, some medicines and non-canned food are not allowed into the country. Objects and things of historical and artistic value cannot be taken out of the country without special permission. This is especially true of items found at the bottom of the sea, rare species of coral and products from them.
At the airport, tourists must pay airport tax and environmental tax. Transit passengers and children under 12 years of age are exempt from this tax.
Population, political status
The population of the state is 49.9 thousand people.
The official language is English.
This country is a parliamentary democracy within the British Commonwealth. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, who is represented by the Governor-General. The prime minister is the head of government. This post is held by the leader of the party or majority coalition that won the last elections. Cabinet members are appointed by the Governor General, after consultation with the Prime Minister.
Legislative power in the country is exercised by Parliament, which is a unicameral National Assembly. The island of Nevis has its own parliament and the right to secede from the federation.
Administratively, the country is divided into 14 districts: 9 on the island of Saint Kitts and 5 on the island of Nevis.
The British government retained its jurisdiction over defense and international affairs.
The Federation has its own system of magistrates' courts and a Supreme Court.
What to see
The capital of St. Christopher Island is Buster. This small town does not stand out in any way. It lies on the shores of a wide bay surrounded by green hills.
The name of the city means "lowland" or "lowland" in translation from French. But the architecture of the city clearly shows British influence. The city is surrounded by the Sökes ring road. It is easy to see that the place in front of the bronze clock of the Berkeley Memorial is copied from Piccadilly.
Most of historic buildings the city died in a fire in 1867. Only a small number of stone Victorian buildings can be seen here. Their second floors are made of wood and decorated with fancy trellises or stucco moldings. On Fort Street, the old ramparts were incorporated into house designs during construction. Some buildings look very old, but they were simply built from the smoked stones that remained from the city ravaged by fire.
The center of the city is the Independence Square. Previously, this place was used as a slave market. The fountain in the square is decorated with a statue of a virgin. It became a gift from Queen Elizabeth II for the Independence Day of the Islands in 1983. This fountain stands on the site of the largest slave market in the Antilles.
The two-domed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was built in 1927. It faces the square. Originally, this site was the location of the French parish of Notre Dame, which was built in 1670. But it was burned by the British in 1706. They built an Anglican church in its place in 1856-1859. At present, only the Gothic window openings on the first floor have survived.
At the St. Christopher Heritage Sisayeti Museum, tourists can learn about the history of the city. It contains a fairly large collection of historical photographs, as well as household items of the Carib Indians who used to live on these islands.
The domed colonial Treasury building rises on the coastline. Also in the area of the capital, the House of Crafts and the Center for Primate Research deserve attention. The volcanic crater of Mount Liamuiga or Misery (1156 meters) is also worth seeing.
Liamuiga ("fertile land") rises above the city blocks. There are excellent opportunities for various types of outdoor activities.
The northern part of the island is framed by the Seckle Island Road strip along the entire perimeter. Here you can see the old "sugar trains", which still haul cargo from nearby reed plantations, as well as numerous fields and factories.
Old Road Town is a small town. It is located just a few kilometers west of Basseterre. This city is considered to be one of the best historical and natural attractions of St. Christopher. It was built on the very spot where the first British settlers landed in 1623. They were led by Sir Thomas Warner, who founded the first permanent European settlement here. The first settlers managed to establish good relations with the Carib. They began to grow tobacco here, thanks to which the Warner clan was able to earn a large fortune.
Until 1727 this city was the capital of the island. And then it became just a pretty colonial town. The Government House, built of red bricks, has been preserved here from the old buildings.
In the old cemetery in the courtyard of the modest St. Thomas Church, 1.5 km north of the main road, tourists can see the marble crypt of Sir Warner himself.
A large number of Caribbean Indian petroglyphs can be seen on the surrounding rocks.
Excellent batik is produced in this city, here you can watch the process of creating fabric and its painting. The finished product can be purchased from the Caribel Batik factory, which is located north of Old Road Town, in the suburb of Wingfield Estate.
This complex is located on the site of the Romney Manor sugar plantation, which dates back to the 17th century. It belonged to the great-grandfather of Thomas Jefferson, a prominent lawyer and the third president of the United States. There is a small botanical garden around the factory. Its main decoration is considered to be a 350-year-old adobe tree, which is the oldest on the island.
The picturesque islet of Middle Island is located 7 km north of Buster, between the capital and Old Road Town. The village of Challengers is also located here, which is known as the site of the brutal massacre of the Caribbean Indians in 1626.
Here, on the ruins of stone walls, you can see ancient petroglyphs, which are famous for their unique compositional structure. Scientists consider these petroglyphs to be the first animation on Earth.
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is located approximately 13 km northwest of Buster. Its basis is a large fort of the same name, built in the 18th century. It was once known as the "Gibraltar of the West Indies". It was the main British outpost in the region. This fort was built on top of a 244-meter ancient volcanic massif.
It took almost a hundred years to build. The fort surrendered in 1782 after only one month of siege. But a year later, the French themselves left the island and the fortress.
After a catastrophic fire in 1867, which engulfed almost all of Basseterre's surroundings, some of the fort's structures were partially dismantled. New buildings were built from its stones in the capital.
The main tower of the fortress - The Citadel is equipped with 24 guns. The Colonial History Museum is now located inside her old barracks. In it, tourists can see weapons and equipment from that period. There is also a small collection of items from the Native American period.
In 2000, the entire complex of fortifications was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Sandy Point Township is the second largest locality islands. In the 17th century, it was the largest tobacco trading center on the island. Its main attraction can be called large warehouses for storing tobacco dating back to that time.
The nearby coral reef is an excellent diving site. The island's northernmost bay, Dieppe Bay, marks the beginning of the Atlantic coastline. A little further south you can see the Black Rocks - black waves of solidified lava fall right here into the sea.
The southeastern peninsula of St. Christopher stretches towards Nevis. At the isthmus, the coast is sandwiched by Friget Bay. The peninsula attracts with its wild and picturesque nature.
Friget Bay is the main resort area on the island and spans the northern end of the peninsula. The best shores of the island are located here. Turtle Beach is considered the best beach area; the coast of Bubi Island, Cockleshell Beach, is also popular. White House Bay White Beach is the best place for snorkeling on the island.
In this part of the island, there are many pink salt water bodies. The color of the water in them is due to the presence of the smallest crustaceans that live in these reservoirs.
Nevis is located south of St. Christopher, approximately 350 km southeast of Puerto Rico and 80 km west of Antigua. This island received its name from Christopher Columbus, who named it Nuestra Senora de Las Nevis ("Our Lady of the Snow"). Columbus believed that this peak, hidden by clouds, was covered with snow.
Now this island is one of the most fashionable resort areas planets.
Charlestown is the largest city, educational and commercial center on the island. It is located in the very middle west coast islands, between forts Fort Charles and Fort Black Rocks. This city is interesting for tourists as a museum of colonial architecture under open air... In its central part, a large number of structures of the 17th-19th centuries have been preserved. Some of them are currently museums.
Due to frequent earthquakes, buildings in this city were built on stone foundations, but with wooden structures on the upper floors.
The historic quarters are centered around Cotton Ginnery Mull and Maine. They are also where most of the city's shops are located.
The Nevis Historical Museum is housed in a Georgian building. It stands on the site where the American statesman Alexander Hamilton was born in 1757. This house itself was destroyed by the 1840 earthquake.
The Horatio Nelson Museum, which is located in the southern part of the city, next to the Government House, is also worth visiting. The famous British admiral in the 80s of the 18th century stayed on Nevis, fell in love with the niece of the governor of the island, Fanny Nisbet, and married her. The Museum Collection is the largest collection of Nelson's memorabilia in the Western Hemisphere.
Not far east of the city center, on Government Road, is a small Jewish cemetery. The oldest graves here date from 1684-1768. Next to the cemetery there is a gray stone building dating back to 1684. According to scientists, it housed the first synagogue in the Caribbean. A little closer to the center of the city lies the memorial square, which was created in honor of the citizens of the island who died on the fronts of the world wars.
Bat House is located a short walk south of downtown Charleston. It was built in 1778 and is one of the oldest hotels in the Leeward Islands. Its complex was erected over a thermal spring. Medicinal properties this mineral water are widely known.
Charlestown Market is located between Market Road and the coast of Gallows Bay.
The courthouse was built in 1825. It is worth seeing the building of the Public Library, luxuriously finished on the inside, as well as the building of Alexandra Hospital, the Philatelic Bureau of Nevis, the Eden Brown Great House, Grave Park with its cricket fields.
On the southern coast of the island there is an area called Gingerland ("the land of ginger"). The area is interesting for a large number of old sugar plantations and picturesque nature.
To the north of the island's capital lies Fig Tree Church, built in 1680. It is known as the wedding site of Nelson and Fanny Nisbet. The Botanical Gardens of Nevis, located near the Montpellier Hotel, are also worth a visit.
Fort Charles (17th-19th centuries) used to guard the southwestern part of the island.
The coast north of Charleston is interesting in a string of small forts... The largest of these is Fort Black Rocks. The most picturesque can be called Fort Ashby, which was built around 1702. It is he who is considered to be the only surviving section of the old capital of the island - Jamestown. In 1680, this city was washed away into the sea by an earthquake and tidal wave. It is located almost on the very shore of the luxurious Pinney Beach.
The indigenous inhabitants of the island of Saint Kitts were the Caribbean Indians.
These islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. The Spaniards did not colonize them.
The old name of the island of St. Kitts was St. Christopher. In 1623, an English settlement was founded on it, which was the first in the West Indies. In 1624, the first French settlement appeared there.
Since 1625, together with the island of Anguilla, the island became a colony of Great Britain. This colony became a base for the country to conquer other islands in the region. For this she was named "the mother of the English colonies in the West Indies."
Joint Franco-British punitive forces in 1623 staged a massacre of the local Indian population. Then up to 4,000 people were killed. This happened in the valley of the river, which after this event began to be called Bloody.
Since the 17th century, there has been a struggle between Great Britain and France for the possession of the islands. Finally, according to the Treaty of Versailles, concluded in 1783, these islands finally came under the rule of the British.
Since 1871, these islands have been incorporated into the English colony of the Leeward Islands, and since 1958 - the West Indies Federation.
Saint Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla in 1967 received the status of a "state associated with Great Britain" with internal self-government. Questions foreign policy and defense remained the responsibility of Great Britain. In 1980 Anguilla seceded from the federation of the three islands.
On September 19, 1983, these islands became an independent state. Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
In 1998, a referendum was held on the withdrawal of the island of Nevis from the federation and the formation of an independent state on it. 62% of voters supported this, but the final decision was never made. To make a positive decision under the law, at least 2/3 of voters must vote “for”.
International trade
The country exports: sugar, cotton, molasses, drinks, cottonseed and coconut oil, fruits and tobacco products. The main export partners are the following countries: America, Malaysia and Canada.
The state imports machinery, foodstuffs, oil products, and industrial products. The main import partners are: USA, Trinidad and Tobago, UK.
Included in an international organization ACP countries.
The shops
Shops in the country usually work from 8.00 to 16.00, on Saturday - from 8.00 to 13.00. Some supermarkets are open daily from 8:00 to 18:00.
As souvenirs, tourists usually bring from this country sea souvenirs, products of local artisans, batik and products from it.
Demography
The population is 49.9 thousand people, of which 37 thousand live on the island of Saint Kitts, 13 thousand - on the island of Nevis.
The annual population growth of the country is 0.84%.
The birth rate is 14.2 per 1000 (fertility is 1.79 births per woman).
Mortality rate - 7.1 per 1000; immigration - 1.3 per 1000.
V ethnic composition the population is dominated by blacks, their share is about 90.4%. They are descendants of African slaves who were brought to work on the plantations.
Also in the country live mulattos (5.0%), Indians (3.0%), others (1.6%) - whites (British, Portuguese, Spaniards, etc.) and immigrants from the Middle East.
The share of urban population is 32%, rural - 68%. The largest cities are: the capital Buster (population 11.6 thousand people) and Charlestown (1.3 thousand people). The vast majority of the island's population lives in the low-lying coastal areas and in the capital.
Industry
The country's industry is based on the processing of agricultural raw materials. Food industry produces copra, raw sugar, molasses, cottonseed and coconut oils. There are also small enterprises in the light and pharmaceutical industries. Recently, the country has begun to develop the electrical industry and electronics.
Flora and fauna
The islands differ from each other in their nature.
The slopes of the mountains of the islands are occupied by plantations of sugar cane and cotton, higher shrubs and small mountain rainforests prevail.
In internal mountainous areas dense tropical islands grow rain forests... The main species in them are: lianas, bread and cinnamon trees, mangoes, tamarind, bananas, avocados and papaya.
On the tops of the mountains, forests give way to meadows, and in the lower parts their place was taken by plantations of sugar cane and other agricultural crops. They are most widespread in the northern part of the island of Saint Kitts, where gentle undulating hills prevail. The southern slopes are steeper and are mostly covered with dense forests and orchards.
On the western slopes of Nevis, rows of palms form a veritable coconut forest. More natural forms of local vegetation have been preserved on the eastern slopes. They are mostly busy rainforest, shrubs and relatively small farmland.
Numerous tropical birds and butterflies, as well as monkeys, can be found in the forests of the islands. Many seabirds nest on the coast, including pelicans. The coastal waters are rich in fish.
Banks and money
Saint Kitts and Nevis banknotes / currency converter
The country's monetary unit is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD or EC $), which is equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 dollars and coins in denominations of 1 dollar, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent. The East Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar and has not changed since 1976 (EC $ 2.7 = US $ 1).
The US dollar is freely circulating on the islands, many prices are indicated simultaneously in local currency and in US dollars.
Banks of the country usually work from Monday to Thursday from 8.00 to 14.00, on Fridays from 8.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00-17.00. But some banks already at 13.00 stop working with individuals. Some bank offices located in the aero and seaports, work from Monday to Friday from 07.00 to 17.00, and exchange offices - from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00 on weekdays.
Tourists can exchange currency at almost any bank in the country, the most favorable rate is usually offered for US dollars and euros.
The main credit cards accepted for payment in most restaurants, hotels and large stores. ATMs are available in most banks in the country.
Tourists can travel checks in almost all bank offices, hotels and large stores. It is most beneficial to use traveller's checks in US dollars.
The Historical Museum on the Island of Nevis is the most famous attraction in the city of Charlestown. Usually, all city tours begin with a visit to this museum, which is housed in a Georgian building. Here, in this place, the American statesman Alexander Hamilton was born in 1757, and Hamilton's house was destroyed by the 1840 earthquake.
Here tourists will have the opportunity to see how Alexander Hamilton's childhood went until the moment he moved to the United States. You can also learn about the famous duel that led Hamilton to his death in 1804. In addition to artistic portraits of Hamilton, the museum contains a collection of photographs from that period and an exhibition of cultural and historical objects of the island of Nevis.
Island of nevis
The island of Nevis lies south of Saint Kitts, approximately 350 kilometers southeast of Puerto Rico and 80 kilometers west of Antigua. This is a quiet and cozy island, there are no multi-storey faceless hotels and noisy shopping centers... According to the government decree, it is forbidden to build buildings on the island that would be taller than the palm trees growing here, so the maximum height of the island's buildings is two floors.
The island got its name from Christopher Columbus, who named it Nuestra Senhora de Las Nevis in 1493 - "Our Lady of the Snow". Columbus decided that this peak, hidden behind the clouds, was covered with snow. There was, of course, no snow here, but the summit of Mount Nevis, which rises in the very center of this volcanic island, is always hidden under the snow-white caps of clouds that look so much like snow.
Since the 18th century, the island of Nevis is known as the "Queen of the Caribbean" and over the past 100 years has become one of the most fashionable resort areas in the world. Nevis is a nature lover's paradise, where forests are inhabited by countless animals and rare plants, and the reefs are surrounded by variegated marine fauna. In addition to birds and butterflies, monkeys can be found in the forests, and pelicans and other birds nest on the coast of the island.
What sights of Nevis did you like? There are icons next to the photo, by clicking on which you can rate this or that place.
Court house
The Courthouse is a stately, stone building on the island of Nevis located on Main Street in Charlestown. The building originally dates back to 1825 and its structure was partially restored in 1875 after the city fire, and in the first half of the 20th century, the most famous part of the building, the clock tower, was added here.
The Charlestown Public Library is located on the second floor of the building. This is a great place with a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The library has an unusual ceiling that looks like part of a wooden ship. The building is open to visitors, and people can enter during the day, even when the court is in session - but you must be properly dressed and the clothes must not be sleeveless.
The Bat House Hotel is the oldest hotel on the island of Nevis, located a short walk south of downtown Charlestown, dating from 1778. The hotel was erected over a thermal spring, the medicinal qualities of the mineral water of which were the main attraction of the island during the colonial years, and due to this, this hotel was previously unprecedentedly popular with travelers from Europe.
Visitors to the hotel in 1780 included the poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who lived and worked at the Bat House for several months, Horatio Nelson and his friend Prince William, Duke of Clarence, heir to the throne of Great Britain. All in all it was a very trendy and aristocratic hotel. The main hotel building was built on the slope of Mount Nevis and had three floors. In the courtyard of the hotel complex, there were beautiful gardens with tropical flowers, and a two-story stone bathhouse was built, equipped with a water pipe through which water from a hot spring flowed.
The hot spring is still operational these days, however, in order to bathe in the hot waters of the Hot Springs, you need to bring your own towel and other accessories, as there are no facilities for this moment there is no.
Jewish cemetery
The Jewish cemetery is located on the island of Nevis, in the city of Charlestown. It was founded together with the synagogue, since the Jewish community appeared on the islands in the 16th century. The oldest graves date back to 1684-1768, when a quarter of the free population on Nevis were Sephardic Jews expelled from Brazil.
The small and largely forgotten Jewish Cemetery is a short walk east of the city center on Government Road. The cemetery is a simple grassy field dotted with horizontal gravestones with inscriptions in Hebrew, English and Portuguese.
A path that runs around the entire cemetery, widely known among local residents Like Juish Walk, it leads from the cemetery to a nearby gray stone building, built in 1684, which scholars believe was the site of a synagogue. It should be noted that the synagogue on the island of Nevis is considered one of the very first in The Caribbean.
Fort Ashby
Fort Ashby is one of the most notable buildings on the island of Nevis. The surroundings of the city of Charlestown, or rather, the coast on which it is located, is replete with the remains of old fortresses and forts. Fort Ashby was the first of the fortifications built by the British in 1600 to protect the island of Nevis from enemy attacks.
This fort is the last of eight fortifications and is located north of Charleston, in a resort area on Pinney Beach. The fort was formerly part of Jamestown, the first settlement on the island to submerge in an earthquake in 1680. The most amazing thing is that the fortress, after plunging into the ocean abyss, survived. They say that when the sea is rough, when diving, you can hear the bell ringing. Today, several walls of the fortress have survived, which have been restored, as well as the weapons that participated in the defense of the island from attacks.
Horatio Nelson Museum
The Horatio Nelson Museum is a very popular tourist attraction located on the island of Nevis, in the southern part of Charlestown. The museum is located near the Government House and was opened on March 11, 1992, in honor of Horatio Nelson, who is best known for his brave command of the British fleet during the Battle of Trafalgar. The opening date was timed to coincide with the wedding anniversary of Lord Nelson and Fanny Nisbet.
In the 80s of the 18th century, Admiral Nelson arrived in Charlestown, where he met his future wife Fanny Nisbet, the niece of the governor of the island of Nevis. The house where the famous admiral stayed is now a museum named after him.
The collection of the museum is not very large: here are the personal belongings of the admiral, as well as various crafts with his portraits. The most interesting is the collection "Mistress of the Seas", which so strongly influenced the course of history in many countries of the Caribbean. The museum also displays a rich collection of ceramic sculptures related to different times... The museum is small enough to occupy only one room, and there is also an exhibition dedicated to sailors in the eighteenth century.
Nevis Botanical Gardens
Nevis Botanical Gardens are the most a nice place island, which is located in the city of Charlestown. Opened in 1998, the gardens are owned by Philadelphia couple Martha and Joseph Murphy. They bought land in Charlestown for a home, and then later decided to build the largest botanical collection in the Caribbean. Seven acre gardens - a beautiful and tranquil oasis full of tropical flowers and shrubs, orchid terraces, with beautiful fountains in the form of dolphins.
Two Cambodian lion sculptures protect the entrance to the gardens. Passing under their gaze, then you need to cross the bridge over the Kuvshinki lagoon. A little further on, there is a sculpture of the Buddha, which visitors say brings good luck if you rub his belly. Further, in the depths of the gardens, there are the ruins of a lost temple, where there are three waterfalls.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a federation of two islands. This state is the smallest independent state in the entire western hemisphere, with an area of only 261 km². The total population is about 50 thousand people.
Saint Kitts and Nevis on world map
These islands are located in the Caribbean Sea, in its eastern part, between Antigua and Barbuda in the east, Montserrat in the southeast, Saint Barthelemy and Sint Eustatius in the northeast and north. The capital and largest city federation is Buster.
The first mention of the islands dates back to the expedition of Christopher Columbus in 1493. The indigenous population - the Caribbean - is an Indian tribe known for its belligerence. The first attempt to colonize the island of Saint Kitts was in 1623. At this time, a large settlement was established on the coast. At the northwestern heights, the Brimstone fortress, the "Gibraltar of the Caribbean", has survived to this day. Together with the colony of Anguilla, this strategic site allowed control of the entire eastern region of Saint Kitts.
1623 - the year of the joint expansion of the Franco-British troops. During the battle in the valley near the coast, 4,000 Indians of the local tribe were killed. The river along which three days the bodies of the dead were floated, it was called Bloody.
In 1783, the island finally came under the influence of the British. Since 1983 Saint Kitts and Nevis is an independent federation of the two islands. The dominance of the legal system belongs to the Queen of Great Britain. Legislature - to the unicameral National Assembly.
Saint Kitts and Nevis map in Russian
The islands are divided into fourteen provinces, nine of which are located on the island of Saint Kitts, five on the island of Nevis.
Geographically, the islands belong to the Leeward Islands group. The origin is volcanic. The highest point of Saint Kitts is the extinct volcano Llamiuga. There is a mountain lake in the mouth of the volcano.
Only the southeastern part of the island has a relatively flat terrain. This part is notable for its many picturesque bays and salt lakes as well as black volcanic beaches.
Unlike elongated Saint Kitts, the island of Nevis has an almost circular shape. Its highest point is the extinct volcano of the same name. The island is rich in beautiful sandy beaches.
The tropical climate of this zone is influenced by the trade winds. There is no rainy season. The islands are not characterized by strong temperature fluctuations - average temperature is 26 ° C. Many rivers and streams support rich tropical flora. Saint Kitts and Nevis is famous for the abundance of rare species of birds and animals. The coral reefs surrounding the islands are full of fish and crustaceans.
Saint Kitts is an island that the average Russian tourist knows little about. Rather, he is unlikely to say where he is. Some will suggest that it is somewhere in the tropics. And they will be right. But this island is not just paradise. Unlike Eden, from which man was once exiled, St. Kitts can be settled permanently. For a certain fee, of course. In this article, we will tell you about the economic citizenship program operating in this country. Yes, small Saint Kitts with an even smaller island of Nevis is independent state, which is part of the British Commonwealth, led by the Queen of Great Britain. It is not hard to guess that official language here - English, which makes it easier for tourists to communicate with the local population. The currency is the East Caribbean dollar, consisting of one hundred cents.
Where is located
The main island of Saint Kitts and Nevis, taken from the air, presents as two pearls on the endless surface of the ocean. The two pieces of sushi form a federation. Moreover, Nevis has the right to free exit from it. St. Kitts was until recently called St. Christopher. Because of this, on old maps you can find another name for the state. Saint Christopher and Nevis is the smallest state in the Western Hemisphere. And the population is the smallest - fifty thousand people. Below we describe the original way that the Confederate government used to raise this figure. Where is the state of Saint Kitts and Nevis located? On the world map, it must be looked for in the Caribbean Sea basin. It is part of the Lesser Antilles (Windward) Islands archipelago. All borders of this state are sea. Saint Kitts and Nevis is adjacent to the same dwarf powers. In the east, the islands are bordered in the north by the French overseas territory of Saint Barthélemy, in the north-west by special municipality Kingdom of the Netherlands Sint Eustatius, and finally in the southeast with Montserrat.
Geography
The main island, Saint Kitts, is located north of Nevis and is separated from it by the three kilometers of The Narrows Strait. The state can be called mountainous. St. Kitts stretches from south-east to north-west for thirty-seven kilometers. Its entire area is dissected by mountain ranges. The highest point of the island (and of the entire dwarf country) is the extinct volcano Llamiuga (one thousand one hundred and fifty-five meters above sea level). In the southeastern extremity, the relief decreases and forms a flat plain occupied by salt lakes. Coastline here it is uneven, teeming with coves and sandy beaches. The neighboring island of Nevis has an almost circular outline. It is composed of rocks from ancient eruptions. The most high point this island is the volcano Nevis (almost a thousand meters above sea level). The state is surrounded on all sides by coral reefs. Therefore, tourists on the beaches can enjoy the tranquility of the turquoise lagoons.
Climate
It is determined by the tropical latitudes in which the island of Saint Kitts is located. The weather here is wonderful and practically does not change at any time of the year. The islands can be confidently called the dream of Eden come true. The nighttime temperature never drops below eighteen degrees, and on summer days it never rises above thirty. These are the most comfortable conditions for rest. But do not forget about the second name that Small Antilles- Windward. The dwarf state lies on the path of tropical hurricanes. They do not happen every year and are most likely from August to October. The rest of the time, warm trade winds blow over Saint Kitts and Nevis. The amount of precipitation does not depend on the season, but on the altitudinal zonation. In the mountains, rains fall from 2000 to 3700 millimeters per year. On the coastal plains, the amount of precipitation is half. As such, the "wet season" is absent here. But most tourists prefer to come on vacation to the tropical islands in winter - from November to April.
State history briefly
The island of Saint Kitts, like neighboring Nevis, was discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus. However, his expedition in search of India did not colonize these islands. England did it for them. In 1623, she founded the first colonial settlement in the West Indies on St. Christopher. The French also tried to stake out no-man's land and founded their own fort. Opinions local population none of the Europeans asked: in 1626, English and French troops staged a joint massacre, killing about four thousand Indians. In this regard, the river, on the banks of which the massacre took place, now bears the name Bloody. Fort Brimstone is preserved in the northwest of Saint Kitts, from where the British seized lands in the Caribbean. This fortress is called the Gibraltar of the Tropical Seas. In 1783, France, according to the Treaty of Versailles, ceded all rights to the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis to Great Britain. The state gained independence in September 1983. But the queen of Great Britain continues to be the nominal head of the country.
How to come to the dwarf state of the Caribbean
In old guides, you can read that tourists from the CIS need a visa to be admitted to the island of Saint Kitts. This information is outdated. In June two thousand and thirteen, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced a diplomatic achievement. From now on, Russian citizens can visit tropical islands without a visa. However, the total travel time should not exceed three months. However, you can extend your stay on the spot. With myself Russian tourist you must have a set of documents: international passport, which will not expire in the next six months, account statement bank card, which indicates your ability to pay, and return tickets. The lion's share of tourists arrive and leave the island by plane. It is necessary to pay a certain amount in order to leave the hospitable dwarf state without any problems. When departing from Golden Rock International Hub, you will need to pay airport tax (forty-one Caribbean dollars for each person over twelve years old) and environmental tax (EC $ 4).
Nature
The island state, located on only two hundred and sixty square kilometers, contains everything that a tourist dreams of dreaming about the tropics. On the slopes of the mountains, there are cotton and sugar cane plantations. Even higher - virgin jungle with lianas, cinnamon and breadfruit, mango, tamarind, bananas, papaya, avocado. In some places the tops of the mountains are covered with meadows. St. Kitts Island in the north is a hilly plain occupied by farmland. There are many coconut groves on Nevis, especially in the western part of it. Monkeys live in the rain forests of the two islands, but there are no dangerous predators. The silence of the jungle is heard by the cries of tropical birds, huge butterflies flutter everywhere. The state-owned water area will surely interest divers and fishing enthusiasts. Although the coastal areas seem arid, overgrown with bushes, there are many rivers and streams on the islands.
Beaches
Saint Kitts is an island whose coastline is covered in interesting black colors. But on its southeastern outskirts there is a flat peninsula, composed of oceanic sediments. Therefore, the beaches here are golden. The coast of the island of Nevis is the embodiment of dreams of a vacation by the tropical sea. The resort areas of the dwarf state satisfy all needs. St. Christopher (St. Kitts Island) has a lot of entertainment - golf clubs, nightlife, casinos. The capital of the state, the city of Basseterre, is especially famous for its evening life. The island of Nevis has all the conditions for a measured and calm rest. It's good to spend here romantic evening, walking along the promenade, sunbathe in the shade of palm trees. But if you wish, you can find entertainment on Nevis too. Entertainment facilities are concentrated in the main city and administrative center islands - Charlestown. The sea near the beaches is always calm and serene, because the shores are protected from storms by a wall of coral reefs. The entry into the water is gentle, which is safe for bathing children.
Tourist infrastructure
The backbone of the economy of the dwarf state for a long time was the export of sugar cane. But in last years this industry was pushed aside by tourism. All conditions have been created for foreign travelers. Particularly successful in pleasing vacationers is the island of St. Kitts. Reviews of tourists claim that all of its coastline is occupied by luxury hotels and expensive magnificent villas. Buying a property is easy. There are no restrictions for foreigners, as in some countries. The staff of the hotel complexes and restaurants are very helpful and strive to fulfill any wishes of the clients. As the reviews say, you need to adapt to their dialect of English. Even the British do not always understand the locals. The St. Kitts chefs have mastered European cuisine completely, and the Nevis culinary school gravitates towards traditional local recipes. The number of violent crimes on the islands is quite low. But, tourists warn, pickpocketing is widespread, so it is better to keep valuables in a numbered safe.
Saint Kitts Island tours
Of course, the sea and the beach are the main attractions of the dwarf state. But there are others. If you are relaxing on the island of Nevis, do not be lazy to climb the peak of the same name. The height of this volcano is nine hundred and eighty-five meters above sea level. The reward for your work will be an incomparable view of the two islands. And you can go down through the side vents of the volcano Hurricane Hill or Saddle Hill Transport connection the country is well developed. There is even a narrow-gauge railway. Nevis also has an airport - Newcastle.
For ecotourists, the island of Saint Kitts is of interest. Its attractions are not only natural. Traveling through the Golden Rock Plantation Reserve and Brimstone Hill Fortress Park, you can see an old British fort. There is a museum in his barracks, whose exposition tells about the colonial history and traditional way life of the islanders. On Nevis, you should visit the Historical Museum and the House of Entertainment on the Islands - these are leisurely walks on yachts along the strait and lagoons, cycling, horseback riding. The country has a casino and many golf clubs.
Developments
The population of the dwarf state is the descendants of African slaves who settled the islands after the almost total extermination of the indigenous people - the Indians. Therefore, the main religion is Christianity. The colonial period made its own adjustments to the religion of local residents. Most of them are Anglicans or Protestant Methodists. But the number of Catholics is also large. The main colorful events are also associated with religion. Saint Kitts Island reviews recommend visiting during Christmas time. December 25 is celebrated here very beautifully. And on the second of January, a colorful festival takes place on the island. The beginning of Great Lent, Good Friday, the Resurrection of the Lord and Pentecost are also celebrated on a grand scale. Of the secular holidays, special mention should be made of the birthday of the British queen, which falls on June 12, Liberation from Slavery (first Monday in August) and Independence Day (nineteenth September).
Island of Saint Kitts: citizenship
Many tourists, having arrived in this paradise country, simply fall in love with it. But you can stay for good, having replenished with yourself fifty thousand of the population of the dwarf state. When global demand for cane sugar fell, the government of Saint Kitts and Nevis launched a program with the eloquent title of Citizenship by Investment. Anyone who makes a voluntary contribution to the country's Sugar Fund receives an island nation's passport without any problems. The amount of investment donations depends on the number of dependents in the applicant's family and ranges from two hundred and fifty to four hundred and fifty thousand US dollars. A certain amount (but not more than ten percent of the basic contribution) will be required to pay various government fees and notary deeds. What does Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship provide? Firstly, it is visa-free travel to one hundred and twenty states. This citizenship is inherited by children from their parents. You do not need to give up citizenship of your country of birth.
Citizenship by Real Estate
There is another way to obtain the coveted passport of the state. The islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the last decade are overgrown with luxury housing. On the shores and even on the shallow bottom of the lagoons, luxurious villas are being built on stilts, which are just waiting for their buyers. Have you dreamed of your house by the sea? And not some Barents or Laptevs, but a Caribbean one? If you purchase real estate worth at least four hundred thousand US dollars, the citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis will be a pleasant bonus for you. This method, the reviews assure, is more profitable if you want to settle on the islands. After five years, you can sell your property without losing your citizenship. But there is a great danger of losing money due to online scams. The government of the country, to prevent this, published on its website an official list of all dealers who have the right to process the purchase of real estate in St. Kitts and Nevis.
