Where is Saint Kitts located? Saint Kitts and Nevis. Communications

Geographical position

Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis is a state located in the eastern part Caribbean Sea. It consists of two islands - Saint Kitts and Nevis.
total area the country is 261 km². The capital is the city of Basseterre, located on the island of St. Kitts.
In terms of area and population, Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest country 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 with 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 Barthélemy (an overseas community of France). All borders are maritime.
Total length coastline the country is 135 km.
The area of ​​the island of St. 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 St. Kitts there is dormant 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.
Nevis Island is 3 km away south of the island St. Kitts and is separated from it by the Narrows Strait. Highest point The island is the Nevis volcano, its height is 985 meters.
Both islands are surrounded coral reefs, which are most extensive along the northern and western coasts.

The country has a tropical trade wind, hot climate, which is characterized by very small temperature differences. Oscillations average monthly temperatures range from +18 C to +24 C. V summer time the air temperature rarely drops below +27 C even at night, and during the day it rarely rises above +30 C.
The average annual precipitation ranges from 700 to 1200 mm per year. Precipitation is distributed depending on the height of the place above sea level and its geographical location. Maximum precipitation falls between May and October-November. Moreover, about 70% of the annual precipitation falls on the northern slopes of the mountains. The relatively dry season lasts on the islands from December to April.
St. Kitts and Nevis is located in the belt of strong tropical hurricanes, the greatest probability of which occurs from August to October.
The best time to visit the country is from June to August, when the weather is relatively dry and cool.

Visas, entry rules, customs regulations

To visit the country, Russian citizens need to obtain a visa. You can apply for it online. To do this, you need to fill out a form on the islands government website.
There are no diplomatic representations of the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis in Russia; their interests are represented by the British Embassy.
If a positive decision is made, a visa confirmation is sent to the applicant’s email address, which must be printed and presented along with the passport upon entry into the country.
The visa is usually issued within 1-3 days. The validity period of the visa is determined in accordance with the periods specified in the visa application form.
The import of national and foreign currencies is not limited, but 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 enter the country duty-free a large number of cigarettes, tobacco products, alcohol products.
Weapons and drugs, some medicines and non-canned food products cannot be brought into the country. Without special permission, you cannot take out of the country objects and things that are of historical and artistic value. This is especially true for objects found at the bottom of the sea, rare types of corals and products made from them.
At the airport, tourists must pay an airport tax and an environmental tax. Exempt from paying this fee transit passengers and children under 12 years of age.

Population, political status

The population of the state is 49.9 thousand people.
The official language is English.
This country is a democratic parliamentary state within the British Commonwealth. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, who is represented by the Governor General. The head of government is the prime minister. This post is held by the leader of the majority party or coalition that won the last election. Cabinet members are appointed by the Governor-General after consultation with the Prime Minister.
Legislative power in the country is exercised by the 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 St. Kitts and 5 on the island of Nevis.
The British government retained its responsibility for matters of defense and international relations.
The Federation has its own system of Magistrates' Courts and a Supreme Court.

What to see

The capital of the island of St. Christopher is Basseterre. This one is not Big city nothing special stands out. It is located on the shores of a wide bay, which is surrounded by green hills.
The city's name means "lowland" or "lowland" in French. But the British influence is clearly visible in the city's architecture. The city is surrounded by the Szökes ring road. It is easy to notice that the place in front of the bronze clock of the Berkeley Memorial is copied from Piccadilly Circus.
Most of historical buildings The city was destroyed 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 latticework or stucco. On Fort Street, old ramparts were incorporated into the designs of the houses during construction. Some buildings look very old, but they were simply built from sooty stones that remained from the city devastated by fire.
The center of the city is Independence Square. The site was previously used as a slave market. The fountain in the square is decorated with a statue of a maiden. It was a gift from Queen Elizabeth II on Independence Day in 1983. This fountain stands on the site where the largest slave market in the Antilles was located.
The double-domed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was built in 1927. It faces the square. This site was originally the site 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. Currently, only the Gothic window openings on the first floor have survived from it.
At the Saint Christopher Heritage Museum, tourists can learn about the history of the city. It has 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 dominates the shoreline. Also noteworthy in the capital area are the House of Crafts and the Center for Primate Research. The volcanic crater of Mount Liamuiga or Miseri (1156 meters) is also worth visiting.
Liamuiga ("fertile land") rises above the city's neighborhoods. There are excellent opportunities for various types of outdoor activities.
The entire perimeter of the northern part of the island is surrounded by Circle Island Road. Here you can see ancient "sugar trains" that still haul cargo from nearby cane plantations, as well as numerous fields and factories.
Old Road Town is small town OK. It is located just a few kilometers west of Basseterre. This city is considered 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 growing tobacco here, thanks to which the Warner clan was able to make a large fortune.
Until 1727, this city was the capital of the island. And then it became just a nice colonial town. The Government House, built of red brick, has been preserved here from their old buildings.
In the old cemetery in the courtyard of the modest church of St. Thomas, 1.5 km north of the main road, tourists can see the marble crypt of Sir Warner himself.
On the surrounding rocks you can see a large number of petroglyphs of the Carib Indians.
This city produces excellent batik, and here you can watch the process of creating the fabric and painting it. The finished product can be purchased at 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 third President of the United States. Around the factory there is a small Botanical Garden. 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 Basseterre, 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 Carib 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.
Brimestone Hill Fortress National Park is located approximately 13 km north-west of Basseterre. 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 capitulated in 1782 after just one month of siege. But a year later the French themselves abandoned the island and the fortress.
After a catastrophic fire in 1867, which engulfed almost the entire area of ​​Basseterre, some of the fort's structures were partially dismantled. New buildings in the capital were built from its stones.
The main tower of the fortress, the Citadel, is equipped with 24 guns. Inside its old barracks there is now a Museum of Colonial History. In it, tourists can see weapons and equipment of that period. There is also a small collection of artifacts from the Indian period.
In 2000, the entire complex of fortifications was included in the List World Heritage UNESCO.
The town of Sandy Point is the second largest settlement on the island. In the 17th century, it was the largest center of tobacco trade on the island. Its main attraction is the large tobacco warehouses dating back to that time.
The nearby coral reef is great place for diving. The island's northernmost bay, Dieppe Bay, marks the beginning of the Atlantic coast. A little further south you can see Black Rocks - black waves of solidified lava fall here directly into the sea.
The southeastern peninsula of St. Christopher extends towards Nevis. At the isthmus, the coast is sandwiched by Friget Bay. The peninsula attracts with its wild and picturesque nature.
Frigate Bay is the main resort area on the island and covers the northern end of the peninsula. Here are located best shores islands. Turtle Beach is considered the best beach area; the coast of Boobie Island and Cockleshell Beach are also popular. White beach White House Bay is the best snorkeling spot on the island.
There are quite a lot of pink salt water ponds in this part of the island. The color of the water in them is due to the presence of tiny crustaceans that live in these reservoirs.
The island of 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 Señora de Las Nevis ("Virgin of the Snows"). Columbus believed that this peak, hidden by clouds, was covered with snow.
Now this island is one of the fashionable resort areas of the planet.
Charlestown is the largest city, educational and commercial center on the island. It is located in the very middle west coast islands, between Fort Charles and Fort Black Rocks. This city is interesting to tourists as a museum of colonial architecture under open air. In its central part, a large number of buildings from the 17th-19th centuries have been preserved. Some of them are now museums.
Due to frequent earthquakes, buildings in this city were built on a stone foundation, but with wooden structures on the upper floors.
Historic neighborhoods are centered around Cotton Ginnery Mall and Main streets. They are also where most of the city's shops are located.
Historical Museum Nevis is housed in a Georgian building. It stands on the site where American statesman Alexander Hamilton was born in 1757. The house itself was destroyed by the 1840 earthquake.
The Horatio Nelson Museum, which is located in the southern part of the city, next to Government House, is also worth a visit. The famous British admiral stayed on Nevis in the 80s of the 18th century, fell in love with the niece of the island's governor, Fanny Nisbet, and married her. The museum's collection represents the largest collection of Nelson memorabilia in the Western Hemisphere.
Nearby, east of the city center, on Government Road, there is a small Jewish cemetery. The oldest graves here date from 1684-1768. Next to the cemetery there is a building made of gray stone, dating from 1684. According to scientists, it housed the first synagogue in the Caribbean. Somewhat closer to the city center lies a memorial square, which was created in honor of the citizens of the island who died on the fronts of the world wars.
The Bat House is 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 is built over thermal spring. Medicinal properties this mineral water widely known.
Charlestown Market is located between Market Road and the Gallows Bay coastline.
The courthouse was built in 1825. It is worth seeing the Public Library building, luxuriously decorated inside, as well as the Alexandra Hospital building, the Nevis Philatelic Bureau, the Eden Brown Great House building, and Grave Park with its cricket fields.
On the southern coast of the island stretches an area called Gingerland ("country of ginger"). This area is interesting big amount old sugar plantations and picturesque nature.
North of the island's capital lies Fig Tree Church, built in 1680. It is famous 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 (XVII-XIX centuries) used to guard the southwestern part of the island.
The coast north of Charleston is interesting with a string of small forts. The largest of them is Fort Black Rocks. The most colorful is Fort Ashby, which was built around 1702. It is considered to be the only surviving site of the old capital of the island - Jamestown. In 1680, this city was washed out to sea by an earthquake and tidal wave. It is located almost on the very shore of the luxurious Pinni beach.

The indigenous inhabitants of the island of St. Kitts were the Carib 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 called "the mother of the English colonies in the West Indies."

Joint French-English punitive forces in 1623 carried out a massacre of the local Indian population. Up to 4,000 people were killed then. This happened in the river valley, which after this event began to be called Bloody.

Since the 17th century, there has been a struggle between Great Britain and France for possession of the islands. Finally, according to the Treaty of Versailles, concluded in 1783, these islands finally came under British rule.

Since 1871, these islands have been included in 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 an “associated state with Great Britain” with internal self-government. Issues of foreign policy and defense remained within the competence of Great Britain. In 1980, Anguilla left the three-island federation.

On September 19, 1983, these islands became an independent state Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

In 1998, a referendum was held on the issue of the island of Nevis secession from the federation and the formation of an independent state on it. 62% of voters were in favor of this, but the final decision was never made. To make a positive decision under the law, at least 2/3 of voters must vote in favor.

International trade

The country exports: sugar, cotton, molasses, beverages, cottonseed and coconut oil, fruits and tobacco products. The main export partners are the following countries: America, Malaysia and Canada.

The state imports equipment, food, petroleum products, and industrial products. The main import partners are: USA, Trinidad and Tobago, Great Britain.

Member of the international organization of ACP countries.

The shops

Shops in the country are usually open 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 items made from it.

Demography

The population is 49.9 thousand people, of which 37 thousand live on the island of St. Kitts, 13 thousand on the island of Nevis.
The country's annual population growth is 0.84%.
The birth rate is 14.2 per 1000 (fertility is 1.79 births per woman).
Mortality - 7.1 per 1000; immigration - 1.3 per 1000.
The ethnic composition of the population is dominated by blacks, their share is about 90.4%. They are descendants of African slaves who were brought to work on plantations.
Also living in the country are mulattoes (5.0%), Indians (3.0%), others (1.6%) - whites (British, Portuguese, Spaniards, etc.) and people from the Middle East.
The share of the urban population is 32%, rural - 68%. The largest cities are: the capital Basseterre (population 11.6 thousand people) and Charlestown (1.3 thousand people). The vast majority of the islands' 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. The food industry produces copra, raw sugar, molasses, cottonseed oil and coconut oil. There are also small enterprises in the light and pharmaceutical industries. Recently, the electrical engineering and electronics industry has begun to develop in the country.

Vegetable and animal world

The islands differ from each other in their nature.
The slopes of the mountains of the islands are occupied by sugar cane and cotton plantations; higher up, shrubs and small mountain rainforests.
In domestic mountainous areas The islands are home to dense tropical rain forests. The main species in them are: vines, breadfruit and cinnamon trees, mangoes, tamarinds, bananas, avocados and papaya.
At the tops of the mountains, forests give way to meadows, and in the lower parts their place is taken by plantations of sugar cane and other agricultural crops. They are most widespread in the northern part of the island of St. Kitts, where gently undulating hills predominate. The southern slopes are steeper and are covered mainly with dense forests and orchards.
On the western slopes of the island of Nevis, rows of palm trees form a real coconut forest. More natural forms of native vegetation have been preserved on the eastern slopes. They are occupied mainly by tropical forests, bushland and relatively small farmland.
Numerous tropical birds and butterflies, as well as monkeys, are found in the forests of the islands. Many seabirds, including pelicans, nest on the coast. Coastal waters are rich in fish.

Banks and money

St. Kitts and Nevis banknotes / Currency converter

The country's currency 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 its exchange rate has not changed since 1976 (EC$2.7 = US$1).
The American dollar circulates freely on the islands; many prices are indicated both in local currency and in American dollars.
The country's banks are usually open 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 stop working with individuals at 13.00. Some bank offices located in airport and sea ​​ports, open 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 best rates are usually offered for US dollars and euros.
Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants, hotels and major stores. ATM machines are available in most banks in the country.
Tourists can use travel checks in almost all bank offices, hotels and large stores. It is most profitable to use travel checks in American dollars.

The island of Nevis (area 93 sq. km) lies south of St. Christopher, approximately 350 km southeast of Puerto Rico and 80 km west of Antigua. The Indians called this island Wali ("Land of Beautiful Waters"), and the early British settlers called it Dulsina ("Sweet"). It received its modern name from the light hand of Christopher Columbus, who named it in 1493 Nuestra Señora de Las Nevis (“Virgin of the Snows” - Columbus believed that this cloud-hidden peak was covered with snow). Since the 18th century, the island of Nevis has been known as the “Queen of the Caribbean”, becoming one of the most fashionable resort areas on the planet over the past 100 years. The fertile soil and warm climate made it possible to form a rich plantation estate here, which, along with prosperity and peace, allowed the islanders to quite calmly survive the earthquake and tsunami of 1680, which almost completely destroyed its capital, Jamestown. Intensive clearing of forests for plantations has led to the fact that many areas of the once green island have become noticeably deserted ( East Coast, for example, almost completely lost its forests and even part of its coral reefs), but with the decline of the sugar industry, the island gradually began to regain its natural charm, becoming one of the most colorful places in the region. Moreover, unlike its northern neighbor, there is no farmland visible on the island, which further enhances its natural charm.

Charlestown

The largest city, educational and commercial center on the island, Charlestown lies in the very middle of the island's western coast, between Fort Charles and Fort Black Rocks. The city is famous as a real museum colonial architecture in the open air - many small but very well-preserved buildings of the 17th-19th centuries form its central part. Some of them have now been turned into museums, making Charlestown good place for studying local history. Numerous earthquakes, which repeatedly caused considerable damage to city blocks, led to the formation of a special architectural style here - most of the old houses in the city are built on a stone foundation, but with wooden structures on the upper floors - such a “composite” is much more resistant to seismic activity.

The city center is quite compact - most of the historical quarters are concentrated around Cotton Ginnery Mall, where most of Charlestown's shopping centers and main street Maine. Typically, all city tours begin with a visit to the Nevis Historical Museum, which occupies a Georgian-style building on the very site where American statesman Alexander Hamilton was born in 1757 (Hamilton's house itself was destroyed by the 1840 earthquake). In addition to Hamilton's portraits, the museum contains a collection of period photographs and a display of Nevisian cultural and history objects. Another very popular object among guests of the island, the Horatio Nelson Museum, lies in the southern part of the city, next to the Government House. The famous British admiral stayed on Nevis in the 80s of the 18th century, fell in love with the niece of the island's governor, Fanny Nisbet, and married her. The museum's collection largely consists of various pieces of tableware painted with portraits of the admiral, ceramic sculptures and several personal items of Nelson. However, it contains the largest collection of Nelson memorabilia in the Western Hemisphere, as well as a rather interesting exhibition on the influence of the "Mistress of the Seas" on the destinies of the Caribbean.

A short walk east of the town centre, on Government Road, lies the small and largely forgotten Jewish Cemetery, a simple grassy field dotted with horizontal gravestones with inscriptions in Hebrew, English and Portuguese. The oldest graves date from 1684-1768, when up to 25% of the free population on Nevis were Sephardic Jews. A path that runs around the entire cemetery, widely known among local residents Jewish Walk leads from the cemetery to the nearby gray stone building (built 1684), which scholars believe was the site of the first synagogue in the Caribbean. The memorial square, located a little closer to the city center, was created in honor of the citizens of the island who died on the fronts of the world wars.

The Bath House, located a short walk south of downtown Charleston, is an old hotel dating back to 1778 (one of the oldest hotels in the Leeward Islands). The complex was built over a thermal spring, the healing qualities of whose mineral water were the main attraction of the island during the colonial years, when wealthy tourists came here even from Europe. It is still operational today, but to take a dip in the hot waters of Hot Springs you must bring your own towel and other accessories as there are no maintenance facilities at the this moment there is no. Situated between Market Road and the shores of Gallows Bay, Charlestown Market is a real commercial hub and is open from Tuesday to Thursday and on Saturday mornings, when it seems like everyone in the city flocks to it.

Also noteworthy are the Courthouse (1825), the luxuriously decorated interior of the Public Library building (XVIII century), the Alexandra Hospital building, the Nevis Philatelic Bureau (stamps issued on the island are widely known among collectors around the world), Eva Wilkin's studio, the Eden building -Brown Great House, Grave Park with its cricket fields, as well as Newcastle Pottery and a whole quarter of craft workshops south of Prince Charles Street. Some of the old plantation buildings that line almost the entire perimeter of the city have now been rebuilt into cozy boarding houses, of which the Nisbet Hotel is the most famous.

The chaotic landscape of the area, which has received the name Gingerland ("country of ginger") for obvious reasons, stretches south from the walls of Eden Brown Great House, skirting almost all South coast islands and even part of the western one. This area is famous highest concentration old sugar plantations, the calm charm of green hills and gentle sea ​​shores. The main attractions here are the lying north of the capital islands, Fig Tree Church (1680, site of the marriage of Nelson and Fanny Nisbet), Nevis Botanical Gardens (open Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 16.30) near the Montpellier Hotel, where terraces of purple orchids are interspersed with groves of tropical trees, as well as the once formidable Fort Charles (XVII-XIX centuries), guarding the southwestern part of the island.

The coast north of Charleston is dotted with a string of small forts and fortified settlements, the largest of which is Fort Black Rocks, and the most colorful is Fort Ashby, which was built around 1702. It is Fort Ashby that is considered the only surviving site of the old capital of the island, Jamestown, which was washed out to sea by an earthquake and tidal wave in 1680. Situated almost on the very shore of the luxurious Pinni beach, it has retained several of its old guns and partially restored walls.

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a country located in the Caribbean, representing the islands in the Caribbean Sea. It borders by sea on the east, Montserrat on the southeast, Saint Eustatius on the northwest, and Saint Barthélemy on the north. The total area of ​​the country is 261 sq. km. Coastline length: 135 km.

Map of Saint Kitts and Nevis

The main territory of the country is volcanoes and mountains. Two volcanic islands divides a 3 km wide channel, which is considered a strait. At the southern tip of St. Kitts is a large salt pond. Nevis Peak is located in the center of the island of the same name and has the shape of a ball.

The flora of this country is represented mainly by tropical plants. Its variety includes tropical hardwoods as well as flowers. Several varieties of coconut palms, mosses, acacias, ferns, prickly pears, white cedar, and lemon trees grow here. Famous varieties of flowering plants include bougainvillea and hibiscus. The country's fauna is not as diverse as its flora. However, there are some rare species, which can be found on the islands. The most common species are vervet monkeys (monkeys with a characteristic color). Marine fauna more exotic. It is represented by: spiny lobster, strombus, green sea turtles. Natural resources: arable land.

The climate of Saint Kitts and Nevis is tropical. There is a frequent sea breeze here. It is characterized by slight seasonal temperature fluctuations.

The state is a parliamentary democracy, with a hereditary monarchy. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. The head of government is the prime minister.

Administrative division - 14 parishes. The capital is Basseterre. Another large city is Charlestown.

The country's population is 51,134 people. The country's population is predominantly black, as well as British, Portuguese and Lebanese. English - official language. Religion: Anglicans, other Protestants, Catholics. Literacy: 97.8%. Urban population: 32% of the total population. Population density: 164 people/km². Average age: for men - 33.1 years, for women - 32.9 years. Average life expectancy: 72.67 years - men, 77.5 years - women.

The economy is very dependent on tourism. Since 1970, tourism has replaced the sugar industry as the traditional mainstay of the economy. This sector of the economy suspended operations in 2005 after decades of losses. To compensate for lost jobs, the government launched a program to diversify the agricultural sector and began to encourage export-oriented industries and offshore banking. Approximately 200,000 tourists holidayed on the islands in 2009, but with declining foreign investment, economic growth slowed slightly between 2009 and 2012.

Exported goods: equipment, food, electronics, drinks, tobacco. Export partners: USA, Canada, . Imported goods: fuel. Import partners: USA, Trinidad and Tobago.

Length highways is 383 km. The length of the railways is 50 km. There are 2 airports in the country.

Participation in international organizations: 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.

The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis - quite small state, which is located in the Caribbean Sea. This country is located on two islands: Saint Kitts and Nevis, which are part of the Lesser Antilles.

In contact with

Columbus gave the name to St. Kitts as a sign of respect to Saint Christopher- patron saint of sailors and travelers. Over time, the name of the saint was shortened by seafarers to “Keats” for ease of speech.

But “our snow lord,” as the island of Nevis is literally translated, got its name thanks to the mountain peaks wrapped in snow-white clouds.

Climate and weather

Saint Kitts and Nevis has a tropical climate, which is formed under the influence of trade winds. On these islands Caribbean The weather is hot and humid with an average temperature of 26 degrees, which may fluctuate slightly.

There is no clear rainy season here. Precipitation falls relatively evenly throughout the year.

Severe tropical hurricanes, especially from the end summer season and through October, a common occurrence here. Such natural disasters sometimes cause significant damage and inconvenience to the islanders.

Nature

Both islands are of volcanic origin, dominated by mountainous terrain.

Saint Kitts is located directly on the slopes of the Liamuiga volcanic formation. From the southeast it is joined by a flat peninsula with an abundance of salt lakes.

The central mountainous part of St. Kitts is covered with dense tropical forest. Plantations of sugar cane and other crops have taken root in the foothills of the north. The steeper southern slopes are covered with orchards. Numerous raging rivers flowing from the mountain slopes moisten the central part of this island.

In the south, the peninsula is quite dry with sandy shores and numerous bays. The vegetation is dominated by herbs and shrubs.

The island of Nevis, which is almost half the size of St. Kitts, is easily accessible via the Narrows. Here, right in its central part, is located dormant volcano of the same name. Therefore, Nevis was formed by volcanic rocks. The eastern slopes “sink” in tropical forests, and in the west they are covered with an abundance of palm trees, forming coconut groves.

The forests are filled with exotic birds, butterflies and various species of monkeys. Pelicans nestled comfortably along the banks. The picturesque shallow lagoons, fenced by coral reefs near the coast, are home to a variety of fish species.

The capital is Basseterre Saint Kitts and Nevis. Attractions

Many historical buildings of Basseterre (the capital of the country) died in 1867 in a fire. However, some Victorian buildings with excellent stucco and wooden second floors still survive.

Fort Street with interesting architecture, where old fortification walls are included in the design of houses - simply unique.

On the main city square of Basseterre there is another attraction - maiden statue, crowning the central fountain. This statue was presented to the city by Queen Elizabeth on the country's memorable Independence Day. This square used to be a slave market, but now it has become beautiful historical place, which recalls the country's colonial past.

A few kilometers from Basseterre to the west is an ancient seaside village Old Road Town, which arose at the site of the landing of the first colonialists in the 17th century. At one time there was even the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Nowadays it is beautiful and quiet town, where the Government House, built of red brick, has even been preserved. The tomb of Sir Warner, the founder of this town, is also located here.

In the vicinity of the village on the rocks you can find Indian petroglyphs- Caribs who were the first inhabitants of St. Kitts.

The adobe tree grows in the botanical garden located here. It is the oldest on the island and is more than 350 years old.

City of Charlestown very famous on the island of Nevis. This is a kind of open-air museum of architecture in the colonial style. In the central part of the city there are buildings from the 17th–19th centuries.

Among other things, Charlestown is home to the Nevis Historical Museum, built in Georgian style in the very place where the great Hamilton was born. In the museum, in addition to historical exhibitions of the island, you can also see a collection of portraits of Hamilton.

Kitchen

Local kitchen is quite diverse and chefs constantly apply their imagination to it, trying to add something new. There are culinary notes from Creole, Chinese, Indian, Continental, Mediterranean and French cuisines. This is a kind of cocktail of various dishes, where the bright shades of local cuisine can be traced.

A little tour of the kitchen:

• Seafood in its variety is a traditional dish here.
• Meats include pork, lamb, poultry and even turtle meat.
• Local paella made from peas, rice and pigeon meat will appeal to many.
• Suckling pigs are baked here quite in an unusual way, which gives the meat a unique taste.
• Vegetables or rice are usually served as a side dish, although potatoes and peas are also appreciated.
• For desserts, preference is given to aromatic fruit pies.

A meal at a fairly decent restaurant will cost you $25. Although it is not difficult to find modest restaurants with seafood cuisine, where prices are correspondingly lower.

Accommodation

Local resorts here are quite expensive. Prices for accommodation in good hotel start at $225, and a full package of services at a fashionable resort on the islands will cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Old plantation estates converted into hotels will also cost you a lot. Such hotels charge up to several thousand dollars per night.

Recreation and entertainment

In the sea around the islands there is a large number of sunken ships (about 400), which attract divers from almost all over the world. And an incredible variety of exotic fish also attract with their mesmerizing beauty.

But not only fish, ships and reefs attract the attention of divers. The underwater caves on the western coast of Nevis seem to be specially created by nature for speleosorkeling.

Golf lessons, horseback riding, and tennis courts will enrich any leisure on these Caribbean islands.

Various festivals are held in St. Christopher, one of which is the colorful and large-scale Carnival. It is held from the end of December to the beginning of January. It hosts colorful costume parades, a calypso music festival, and various dance competitions.

In honor of Hamilton's birthday, Nevis hosts some interesting events in January.

In June, equestrian competitions are held, as well as Music Festival, where you can hear the best salsa and jazz performers from all over sunny islands Caribbean Sea. Fans of active nightlife can have a great time in the local nightclubs.

Shopping

Tourists always bring all kinds of memorable gifts and sea souvenirs from Saint Kitts and Nevis. Often purchased crafts made from coral, handmade boats and, of course, beautiful shells. Pirate-themed souvenirs are also very popular.

Many people bring home a piece of the romantic atmosphere by purchasing items made by local craftsmen: bright fabrics, exotic jewelry, crafts made from coconuts and wood.

Hand painted fabric (batik) It will be a great reminder of your trip. Batik is sometimes used to make paintings that look very elegant and beautiful.

Transport

Transport to Saint Christopher and Nevis not developed at the proper level. The railway along the coast serves cane and cotton plantations. Highways with a total length of just over 300 kilometers are only one-third paved.

There are ports on city coasts. Some of the largest are in Charlestown on Nevis and Basseterre on St. Kitts. There are no airlines on the islands, but the airports operate properly. Flights to Nevis are served by Newcastle, and to St. Kitts by Golden Rock. Car rental and public transport almost undeveloped.

Connection

Mobile communications on the islands work as expected. Roaming is available to subscribers of major Russian operators. Payphones are installed everywhere, and calls can be paid with local coins, as well as cards sold in hotels, shops, post offices and pharmacies. International calls can be made from your hotel room. The call quality here is excellent. There are many internet cafes on the islands, which are on the central city streets and in large hotels.

Safety

The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is characterized as a country with a very low crime rate. Although there are scammers and pickpockets here too. It is enough to be vigilant to protect yourself. You can usually become a victim of pickpockets at airports, ports and other crowded places. You should also not take night walks along the deserted coast alone.

Before visiting Saint Kitts and Nevis, it is advisable to do vaccinations against hepatitis A and dengue. Unlike major cities, in small towns drinking water It is not chlorinated, so in the “provinces” it is better to drink clean purchased water.

The currents off the coast can be very strong, so you need to swim very carefully and carefully.

Business

Saint Kitts and Nevis- a federation with a stable and strong economy, where the business climate is characterized as very reliable for investment.

Stable politic system, low taxes and openness of the economy are very favorable “soil” for beginning businessmen.

When registering companies and firms founders can choose a regular tax rate of 35 percent or obtain offshore status, which will exempt them from paying taxes.

When you invest in the public economic structure of Saint Kitts and Nevis, you will receive a second citizenship in the shortest possible time.

Real estate

Real estate in Saint Kitts and Nevis cheaper compared to other Caribbean islands, although life here is quite expensive.

The minimum cost of a one-room apartment here is 120 thousand dollars. A small villa with a wonderful view from the windows and two bedrooms will cost 230 thousand dollars. Accordingly, luxury houses on the coast will be several times more expensive.

By paying from 340 thousand dollars, you can buy an old villa with a large plantation. Although you will probably still need to spend money on its repair.

Feature of Saint Kitts and Nevis(Wikipedia confirms this) is that when purchasing real estate, foreigners are granted a second citizenship within just four months. And all family members and even elderly relatives receive it.

• June - August is the best time to visit the islands. It is also called the summer low season. It is cool and dry here at this time, and prices are not so high compared to the peak winter period.
• The usual working hours for offices of companies and government agencies are from eight in the morning until five in the evening, and at noon there is an hour-long lunch break.
• Shops are open from eight in the morning to four in the evening, only large supermarkets close at 18:00.
• Photography is permitted everywhere except on private property. Although, if the owner gives his permission, then there will be no problems with this either.
• Hotels prefer to pay for services in US dollars; East Caribbean dollars are reluctantly accepted here.
• Restaurant staff are paid 10-15 percent in tips.
• Payment for their services is negotiated in advance with taxi drivers and boat owners, since they do not have meters.

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a small country in the Caribbean Sea. The country is located on two islands: Nevis and St. Kitts. They belong to the Lesser Antilles.

Columbus named St. Kitts after St. Christopher, who is the patron saint of travelers. Over the years, navigators shortened the saint’s name for convenience to “Keats.”

But the island of Nevis got its name because of the snow-white clouds mountain peaks, because its name literally translates as “our snow lord.”

Population	49,898 people
Population density	164 people/km²
	English
Religion	Anglican Church, Methodists, Catholicism
Form of government	parliamentary monarchy
	East Caribbean dollar
Timezone
International dialing code
Domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

Saint Kitts and Nevis has a tropical climate, formed under the influence of the trade winds. It's hot and humid here. average temperature amounts to +26 °С, may fluctuate slightly.

There is no clearly defined rainy season here - precipitation falls relatively evenly throughout the year.

The islands are in an area that is often subject to severe tropical storms, especially from August to October. Sometimes hurricanes cause quite significant damage.

Nature

Both islands are of volcanic origin and the landscape is mountainous.

The island of St. Kitts is located on the slopes of a massive volcanic formation Liamuiga. In the southeast it is adjacent to a flat peninsula with many salt lakes.

In the center of St. Kitts, the mountainous part is covered with dense tropical forest. In the north, in the foothills, there are plantations of sugar cane and other crops. The southern slopes are sharper and covered with orchards. Numerous rivers flow from the mountain slopes, which well moisten the central part of the island.

The peninsula in the south is dry. Herbs and shrubs grow here. The shores are sandy and form many bays.

Across the Strait Narrows can you get to neighboring island Nevis. It is almost half the size of St. Kitts. Here, in the center of the island, there is a dormant volcano of the same name. Nevis is formed by volcanic rocks. Tropical forests grow on the eastern slopes, and palm trees cover the western slopes, forming coconut groves.

The forests are home to exotic birds, butterflies, different kinds monkeys Pelicans build nests on the banks.

Coral reefs fringe picturesque shallow lagoons off the coast. There are a lot of fish in the lagoons.

Attractions

Most of the historic buildings of Basseterre, the country's capital, were destroyed by fire in 1867. However, some of the Victorian-style buildings, with wooden second floors and excellent stucco, still survive.

Unique is Fort Street. This is a street with original architecture: here the old fortress walls were simply included in the construction during the construction of houses.

The city also has its own little secret: some of the buildings seem ancient, but they are not. They were built in late XIX century. True, from sooty stones that remained from houses destroyed after a fire.

On main square The city boasts a statue of a maiden that crowns the central fountain. This statue was presented to the city by Queen Elizabeth II on the Islands' Independence Day. This square was previously home to a slave market, but now serves as a reminder of the country's colonial past.

A few kilometers west of Basseterre - and you will find yourself in an ancient seaside village Old Road Town. It arose on the spot where the first colonialists landed in the 17th century. At one time there was even the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Now it is a quiet and beautiful town, where the Government House, built of red brick, has been preserved, as well as the marble tomb of Sir Warner, who is the founder of this town.

On the rocks around the village you can find many petroglyphs of the Carib Indians, the first inhabitants of St. Kitts.

There is a botanical garden where the adobe tree grows, dating back over 350 years! This is the oldest tree on the island.

The island of Nevis is famous for its city Charlestown. It is known as an open-air colonial architecture museum. There are many well-preserved buildings from the 17th-19th centuries in the city center.

While in Charlestown, be sure to visit the Nevis Historical Museum. The building itself was built in the Georgian style on the site where the outstanding Hamilton was born. The museum, in addition to an exhibition on the history of the island, has a collection of portraits of Hamilton.

Nutrition

Cooks local restaurants They are constantly trying to add something new to the cuisine that has been developing on the islands for many years. Local chefs add notes of Chinese, Creole, continental, Indian, French and Mediterranean cuisines. It turns out to be a kind of cocktail of dishes, but with bright shades of local cuisine.

Traditional dishes here are seafood in a variety of preparations. The meat they eat here is lamb, pork, poultry and even turtle meat.

You should definitely try the local paella made from rice, peas and pigeon meat. Suckling pig is also baked here in a rather unusual way.

The side dish most often includes rice or vegetables, often peas or potatoes.

For desserts they prefer fruit pies.

For lunch in a good restaurant you will have to pay at least $25. Although you can find one of the modest restaurants with seafood cuisine. Here you will pay a little less for your food.

Accommodation

Local resorts are quite expensive. Prices for accommodation in a good hotel here start from $225, and if you want a full package of services from one of fashionable resorts on the islands, you will have to part with an amount of several tens of thousands of dollars.

The cost of living is also high in old plantation estates converted into hotels. For a night in such a hotel you need to pay from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Entertainment and relaxation

Around the islands in the sea there are about 400 sunken ships that attract divers from all over the world. In addition, there are incredibly many exotic fish in coastal waters.

But not only ships, reefs and fish deserve the attention of divers. Off the western coast of Nevis there are underwater caves that seem to have been created by nature specifically for speleosorkeling.

Activities here include horse riding and golf. There are also tennis courts on the islands.

St. Kitts hosts several festivals throughout the year. The largest is the Carnival, which runs from December 24 to January 2. During the Carnival, colorful costume parades, a calypso music festival, and dance competitions are always held.

In January, Nevis hosts a number of interesting events dedicated to Hamilton's birthday.

Equestrian competitions are held here in June. Also this month, the islands host a Music Festival, which attracts the best jazz and salsa performers from all over the Caribbean islands.

There are also nightclubs where active nightlife enthusiasts can have a great time.

Purchases

To remember St. Kitts and Nevis, tourists usually bring all kinds of sea souvenirs. These include shells, coral crafts, and small handmade boats. Pirate-themed souvenirs are very popular.

If you want to bring home a piece of the local atmosphere, then it is best to buy things made by local artisans: exotic jewelry, bright fabrics, crafts made of wood and coconuts.

Batik would be a great gift from your trip. These are hand-painted fabrics. Sometimes batik is used to make paintings that look very elegant!

Transport

Transport here is not very developed. Walks along the coast Railway, which serves cotton and sugar cane plantations.

The total length of the islands' roads is just over 300 kilometers, although only a third of them are paved.

Cities on the coasts have ports. The most major ports are situated in Basseterre in St. Kitts and Charlestown on Nevis.

There are also airports here. Flights to St. Kitts are accepted Golden Rock, and on Nevis - Newcastle. There are no airlines here.

Public transport and car rental are almost undeveloped.

Connection

On islands mobile connection three standards at once: GSM 850, GSM 900/1900 And TDMA. Four local operators provide the full range of mobile services.

Roaming is available for subscribers of the largest Russian operators. If your phone fits the standard TDMA, then you can use the phone without a SIM card - using your credit number. At the offices of local operators you can subscribe to their tariffs or rent the telephone sets themselves.

Payphones are installed everywhere, the calls of which can be paid with small local coins and cards, which are sold in shops, hotels, pharmacies and at the post office.

You can make an international call from your hotel room, but it will cost you 10-15% more than from a payphone. The connection quality here is very good.

There are many Internet cafes on the islands; they are located in large hotels and on the central streets of cities. They are served by companies Connections And Cable&Wireless.

Safety

Saint Kitts and Nevis can be described as a country with a very low crime rate. Although pickpockets and scammers of all kinds can be found here too. To protect yourself, it is enough to be vigilant. Most often, pickpockets fall victim to ports, airports and other crowded places. Therefore, you should not carry large sums of money and all documents with you. Also, local police do not advise leaving things in cars while they are parked.

Before visiting St. Kitts and Nevis, it is better to get vaccinated against dengue, leptospirosis and hepatitis A.

Drinking water in small populated areas practically does not chlorine, unlike water in major cities, so it may not be suitable for consumption. It is better to prefer bottled water.

The currents off the coast can be very strong, so you should swim very carefully.

Business climate

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a country with a strong and stable economy. The business climate of the islands can be described as very favorable for investment.

A stable political system has developed here. The country stands out due to its low taxes and open economy, so it is quite easy to start a business here.

When registering firms and companies, founders can choose between a regular tax of 35% and obtaining offshore status, which exempts them from paying taxes.

By investing in the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis, you will receive a second citizenship in a short time.

Real estate

Although life in St. Kitts and Nevis is quite expensive, real estate here is cheaper than on other Caribbean islands.

One-room apartments here sell from $120,000. If you want to buy a villa, then a small house with two bedrooms and a beautiful view from the windows will cost you from $230,000. Of course, there are luxury villas on the coast, but their prices are several times higher.

If you like agricultural work, then by paying from $340,000, you can become the owner of an old villa with a large plantation. True, the villa for this price will probably need renovation.

The peculiarity of Saint Kitts and Nevis is that when foreigners purchase real estate, they are granted a second citizenship within four months. Moreover, they do this for all family members and even elderly relatives.

The best time to visit St. Kitts and Nevis is from June to August. It is also called the summer low season. At this time it is dry and cool, and prices are not as high as during the peak winter period.

Offices of companies and government agencies are open from 8:00 to 17:00, with an hour break for lunch at noon. Shops are open from 8:00 to 16:00. Only large supermarkets close a little later, at 18:00.