Saint Kitts and Nevis. Tourism Saint Kitts and Nevis Island of Nevis what country

Citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis, a former British colony, has been possible since 1984. Now the program is one of the most respected in the world. Until now, the investment program that allows you to obtain citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis, is one of the most convenient and fastest, subject to all requirements and conditions.

It is extremely important for the authorities of this country be a leader in the Caribbean according to the volume of applications under the Citizenship by Investment program, therefore, a reform was initiated and implemented, which resulted in a reduction in the period in which an applicant can obtain citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis to 45–75 days in 2016.

Citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis gives the right to visa-free entry into 126 countries, including the UK and all EU countries that are part of the Schengen agreement. In addition, citizens of Saint Kitts and Nevis have the right to undergo a simplified visa procedure to the United States. With a St. Kitts and Nevis passport, you can enter the UK without first obtaining a visa, even if it leaves the EU, since the state of St. Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

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Those who decide to go to the volcanic islands will get to know the amazing culture of the region, have the opportunity to wander through the tropical forest, and most importantly, get away from the benefits of civilization for a short time. Tourism Saint Kitts and Nevis does not involve lush entertainment and vibrant nightlife. There are only two large cities in the country. Basseterre is located in St. Kitts, and Charlestown is in Nevis. Here you can get acquainted with the history of the country and stay at the hotel for the entire duration of your stay.

The main charm of a holiday on the Red Sea is water and beach activities. Warm waves and unusual black sand amaze with their harmony. The mountains covered with exotic plants will not leave you indifferent. There you can meet funny monkeys and listen to birdsong, but it is not recommended to go into the wilds on your own; it is best to use the services of local guides.

The island of Nevis is considered the most frequently visited by tourists. Its tropical forests of extraordinary beauty and cozy beaches appeal to vacationers. located in the area of ​​the largest city on the island, Charlestown. Recently, it has become a well-equipped, fashionable place to relax. Despite the small size of the country, tourism it is quite developed, and travelers find, in addition to beaches and the sea, a lot of attractions.

When Christopher Columbus discovered these islands, he named Nevis “Our Lady of the Snows.” The highest mountain at that moment was covered with clouds, which the sailors confused with snow. In fact, the locals have never experienced cold, even at the highest point the temperature does not drop below 15 degrees. remained in the dreams of the discoverers, and the islands delight visitors with tropical heat.

Quiet rest and the absence of stress have great healing power. These are large hotels in the two largest island cities or modest secluded bungalows right on the shore. Treatment takes place by sea, air, mineral springs with healing powers, and the proximity of nature.

Small but cozy and friendly Saint Kitts and Nevis offers to visit its major cities. From them you can book excursions to natural and cultural attractions. Charlestown and Basseterre allow you to explore both islands. The country is divided into districts, of which there are 14. Each region has its own characteristics and interesting places.

Has a special charm holidays in Saint Kitts and Nevis, thanks to the beautiful nature, the proximity of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Small but cozy beaches, mineral waters from an ancient spring, the opportunity to dive among coral thickets and much more are offered by the country's resorts. Will not be forgotten and attractions of Saint Kitts and Nevis. They arouse interest not only among those who came to the country for the first time, but also among tourists who have chosen its shores.

Most popular among holidaymakers beaches of Saint Kitts and Nevis washed by the Caribbean Sea. South Frigate Bay offers all the amenities for a beach holiday. In the immediate vicinity of the shore there are cozy cafes and small shops. Gambling holidaymakers can visit numerous casinos. There are more wild beaches on the Atlantic coast, they are less convenient, but also picturesque. Turtle Beach is great for a variety of sports. On the island of Nevis, Pinney Beach is especially popular. It is covered with golden sand and surrounded on all sides by tall palm trees. The bays of the Atlantic Ocean are not very good for swimming, but they are great for surfing.

On the very shore of the sea there are such hotels Saint Kitts and Nevis, like Island Paradise Beach Village and others. All of them are equipped with the necessary furniture and appliances. Each has outdoor swimming pools with umbrellas and sun loungers. The hotels are designed for the average visitor and wealthy travelers.

Transport Saint Kitts and Nevis

The country has two airports located on different islands. Transport Saint Kitts and Nevis represented by narrow gauge railways that connect plantations with processing plants. The highways run along the coast and are well-paved. Tourists can rent a car at the airport or hotel so as not to depend on guides and escorts.

Beaches strewn with palm trees, comfortable bays with clear azure water, long-dormant volcanoes - this is how they briefly describe the unknown but beautiful places located in the eastern Caribbean. Holidays in 2019 in St. Kitts and Nevis attract tourists with a combination of magnificent sunny beaches and colorful views, where every traveler strives to surrender to the power of exciting adventures with a palette of crazy history.

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a small island country located in Central America, in the vicinity of Puerto Rico. It includes two islands of the same name and is washed by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The country annually attracts a colossal volume of tourists from various places around the globe with its lush tropical flora, stunning sandy beaches and aquamarine waters of the Caribbean Sea.

How to get there?

Unfortunately, the lack of a direct flight between the big cities of St. Kitts and Nevis and Russia cannot be considered an advantage. But for real tourists and travel fans there are comfortable, fast and affordable methods of transit to this magnificent country.

By plane

From Moscow to St. Kitts

The most expeditious method for domestic tourists is a flight from New York, with a transfer to Miami. This method will take 26 hours and cost 40 thousand rubles. If a person needs a more affordable flight cost, then there is a method that costs 35 thousand rubles from Moscow to New York, with a transfer to Sint Maarten. Then a short flight to St. Kitts with a flight duration of only half an hour.

From St. Petersburg to St. Kitts

The fastest route, taking 20 hours, goes to Amsterdam, from where you need to go to Sint Maarten and St. Kitts. But this method has one drawback - this method will be expensive (75 thousand rubles). The most accessible method is a flight from the route described above, but 20 hours longer. The cost of such a flight is 70 thousand rubles.

From the airport

The airport is located near the city center. By car the travel time will be approximately 10-15 minutes. Tourists are also offered to use a taxi service, which costs about 400 rubles.

Climate and weather

The sultry atmosphere on the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis is formed due to the influence of the wind. Wednesday is wet and hot, the average air temperature is +26 degrees, which sometimes drops to +18 or rises to +32. Precipitation is divided equally all year round. The wet season lasts from May to November. The islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis are located in the belt of significant hot hurricanes, most often occurring in August-October and occasionally causing great damage.

Active recreation on the beaches

For lovers of a serene, relaxed holiday, the resort offers pristine pristine beaches, palm groves, colorful sea dives, and observation of exotic birds and animals.

Cockshell Bay

Located in the southeast of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The sandy white coast lies untouched, surrounded by hotels and resorts that maintain its natural uniqueness. Cockshell Bay is a mixture of peace and quiet, which is why the beach is perfect for those who like a relaxing holiday.

Banana Bay

The beach is home to beautiful snow-white sand and light, rolling waves. Although there are other coastlines in St. Kitts and Nevis that are distinguished by their seclusion, Banana Bay’s combination of local settlements, uniqueness and other specifics is recommended for tourists. This place is perfect for a vacation with family and children or a trip with friends.

Dieppe Bay

Located on the northern side of the island of St. Kitts, in the vicinity of Deep Bay Town. This is a small coastline with mostly dark sand, surrounded by a large reef. Dieppe Bay is an excellent swimming area and is suitable for tourists looking for a secluded, relaxing holiday in the sun.

White House Bay

Connoisseurs of snorkeling and underwater swimming should definitely visit the coast of White House Bay, because there is an atmosphere suitable for exploring the underwater world. Lovers of natural beauty should definitely see a large number of tropical birds and animals, as well as the magnificent pink lakes with brackish water, of which there are many in this part of the island. The color scheme of the water is due to the huge number of miniature crustaceans living in these reservoirs.

Things to do?

There are approximately 400 sunken ships in the sea near the islands, attracting divers from all over the globe. There are also a huge number of unusual fish species in the coastal waters. In addition to ships, reefs and a wide variety of fish, off the western shores of Nevis there are subaquatic grottoes, created by the world for human eyes as if deliberately.

In addition to water activities, St. Kitts and Nevis offers golf, tennis and horse riding.

Holidays and festivals

A number of festivals take place throughout the year. The most important and significant is the Carnival, which you can catch if you go on vacation to Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2019 from December 24 to January 2. At the Carnival, large-scale and striking costume parades, a calypso music festival and dance competitions are held without fail.

In January, Nevis hosts many exciting events to celebrate Hamilton's birthday. In June, horse tournaments are held, and during this period a Musical Carnival is organized on the islands, at which exemplary salsa and jazz artists who arrive from all parts of the Caribbean perform. In addition, St. Kitts and Nevis has nightclubs that are ideal for nightlife lovers.

Where to go and what to see?

St. Kitts was discovered by Christopher Columbus at the end of the 15th century and was originally inhabited by Carib Indians. The measured lifestyle of the local population, not spoiled by the influence of civilization, preserves its original traditions to this day. For lovers of a serene, relaxed holiday, the resort offers pristine pristine beaches, palm groves, colorful sea dives, and observation of exotic birds and animals. Fans of active pastime will also find a lot of exciting activities for themselves, because St. Kitts is rich in interesting historical places.

It is worth visiting the capital of the state - the city of Basseterre, with its unusual European architecture, stone Victorian buildings, striking with their fancy decorations and elegant stucco.

A must-see is the small coastal town of Old Road Town, located not far from the capital. It is rightfully one of the best and natural attractions preserved in St. Kitts. The place attracts with its colonial buildings, petroglyphs of ancient Indians and colorful atmosphere.

In addition, it is worth visiting the state park, which houses a historical museum included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main attraction of Nevis is the city of Charlestown, where the old quarters, the remains of medieval fortresses and stone structures give this place a unique atmosphere that gives a lot of unforgettable emotions.

State Museum of St. Kitts

Located in the Old Treasury building - one of the colossal social houses in the capital of the country - Basseterre. For a long time, it housed a lot of ministries and departments. The building is controlled by the St. Foundation. Christopher and since its opening in 2002 there have been a large number of artifacts showing the wealthy culture and heritage of the island.

Rainforest

Despite the fact that the island is only 176 square kilometers in area, more than a quarter of it is occupied by state parks, generally consisting of tropical forests that are constantly growing.

There are a number of paths in the park, walking along which will not be difficult. A typical tour lasts approximately 4 hours. With the help of trekking, tourists are invited to follow the pristine nature, among which stand out: cheeky vervet monkeys swinging in the trees, graceful hummingbirds, as well as mongooses and lizards.

During the holiday season there is a chance to swim in the natural springs of the reserve. A competent guide will conduct a tour and tell you about the secrets of the local flora and fauna. The price of the excursion is 2,500 rubles.

Basseterre Center

A tourist should definitely spend some time exploring the antiquity of the city, which has applied for the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Established as the first French city in the Caribbean, the capital retains colonial-style structures from France and Britain that perfectly recreate the authentic and sophisticated era when both countries ruled these places and built different architectural structures.

Challengers Village

Located 7 km north of Basseterre. It is popular as the village of the brutal beatings of the island's first settlers, the Carib Indians in 1626. In Challengers, between the green cliffs, lie the largest stones and even solid fragments of stone walls, most of which depict historical petroglyphs, known to many for their unique composition.

Scientists claim that these are the first animations on the planet, in the order of symbols of which certain ancient or state circumstances of Indian settlements are tracked. Travelers very passionately explore the outskirts of the village, because they are fascinating for those who like to explore antiquities.

Video selection of state attractions:

Kitchen and food. What to try?

Chefs of local establishments are constantly trying to add newness to the cuisine that has been developing on the islands for a long time. Local chefs update it with notes of Mediterranean, Chinese, French, Creole, continental and Indian cuisines. This creates an original combination of dishes in the colorful tones of local cuisine.

The national dish is seafood in all different cooking methods.

Meats include poultry, lamb, pork and turtle. A tourist should definitely try the local paella made from pigeon meat, rice and peas. They also bake suckling pig in a very original way. The main side dishes are potatoes, peas, vegetables and rice.

Fruit pies are preferred as dessert.

For a meal in a good establishment you should pay at least 1,400 rubles. It is also worth trying seafood cuisine in relatively modest restaurants, which will be much cheaper in cost.

Shopping

When vacationing in St. Kitts and Nevis, travelers often bring various sea souvenirs. These include: handmade vessels, shells and coral crafts. Pirate souvenirs are also very popular.

If a tourist wants to bring back part of the local environment from his vacation in 2019, then it is better to buy things made by artisans: coconut and wooden crafts, exotic jewelry and colorful fabrics. Batik will be an elegant gift from your travels. These are hand-painted fabrics, which are sometimes used to create artistic canvases of incredible beauty.

Where to stay?

The local resorts are not cheap. The price of staying in a beautiful hotel starts from 12,500 rubles, and if a tourist wants a whole range of services in the popular resort area of ​​the island, he needs to pay more than 10,000 dollars. The ancient estates of planters, reconstructed into hotels, are also very expensive. For a day's stay in such a hotel, the number varies from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Safety

Holidays in 2019 on the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis is the goal of every lover of a quiet and safe trip. Crimes are very rare in the country. Tourists should exercise normal precautions and try not to carry large amounts of money and jewelry. At night, it is better to avoid lonely alleys, and when spending time at festivals or holidays, it is better to use the services of official taxis to get to the hotel.

Holidays in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2019 will be an excellent solution for lovers of a calm and quiet holiday, and will also be perfect for fans of active life and entertainment. In addition, the islands will be a great place to relax with both your family and children. Here everyone will find something to do with countless attractions and a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Climate

Precipitation ranges from 700 to 1200 mm per year. The pattern of rain distribution directly depends on the altitude of a place above sea level and its geographical location. Maximum rain falls between May and October-November, and during this period, up to 70% of the annual precipitation can fall on the northeastern slopes of the mountains (in some years - up to 2000 mm), and on the southern slopes the weather differs little from the rest of the year . The relatively dry season lasts from December to April.

Like the other Leeward Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis is in the path of severe tropical storms, which are most likely to occur between August and October.

Geography

The state of Saint Kitts and Nevis is located on the territory of the islands of the same name, lying in the northern part of the Leeward Islands group. It borders on Antigua and Barbuda to the east, Montserrat to the southeast, the Netherlands Antilles (St. Eustatius) to the northwest, and Saint Barthelemy, which is part of French Guadeloupe, to the north (all borders are maritime). It is washed on all sides by the waters of the Caribbean Sea (the total length of the coastline is 135 km). The total area of ​​the state is 261.6 square meters. km (Saint Christopher - 168 sq. km, Nevis - 93 sq. km). It is the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Flora and fauna

Animal world. The forests are home to numerous tropical birds and butterflies, and there are monkeys. Many seabirds, including pelicans, nest on the coast. The waters abound with fish.

Attractions

These days, these two small islands are perhaps one of the most quiet and bucolic places in the region, being one of the few places in the West Indies where agriculture still dominates tourism and commerce retreats under the pressure of tradition. The calm and relaxed way of life of the local residents remains virtually unspoiled by the influence of civilization, and the beauty of nature is only emphasized by the pristine beaches, sea, sunlight and fantastically abundant vegetation.

Saint Christopher Island
Buster

The small and unremarkable capital of the islands lies on the shores of a wide bay surrounded by green hills, being home to almost half the population of St. Christopher (this is the traditional name of the island itself, which is part of the Federation under the name St. Kitts, although local residents use these names interchangeably proportions). The town's name, meaning "lowland" or "lowland", is one of the few remaining traces of the French presence in the islands. The dominant European influence in Basseterre is unmistakably British, reflected in the buildings and even the layout of the city's streets. Basseterre is surrounded by the Szekes ring road, but even with the naked eye you can see that the place in front of the bronze clock of the Berkeley Memorial is copied from Piccadilly, and even the traffic jams seem to be the same (only older cars, and no traditional London smog). Although most of Basseterre's historic buildings were destroyed in a fire in 1867, a number of stone Victorian buildings remain, with second floors made of wood and decorated with intricate latticework or graceful, curvaceous stucco. Many of these houses were built with a certain amount of imagination and ingenuity, most evident on Fort Street, where old fortress walls were simply incorporated into the designs of the houses during construction. Some buildings seem very ancient, but this impression is deceptive, since they were erected at the end of the 19th century from sooty stones left over from a city devastated by fire.

The center of the city is Independence Square - a small public park with a fountain in the center, previously used as a slave market (1790), and now as a reminder of the island's colonial past. Topped with a statue of a maiden, the fountain was a gift from Queen Elizabeth II on Independence Day (1983) and marks the former site of the largest slave market in the Antilles. The front facing the square is the two-domed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (1927). The French parish of Notre Dame (1670), which originally stood on this site, was burned by the British in 1706, and in its place in 1856-1859 an Anglican church was built, from which only the Gothic window openings on the ground floor of the modern cathedral have survived .

Part of the city's history is presented in the St. Christopher Heritage Museum, which contains a large collection of historical photographs, shell tools and pottery shards from the Carib Indians who inhabited the islands before the arrival of Europeans. The domed colonial Treasury building dominates the coastline, a reminder of the importance of the island's sugar industry in the past (St. Christopher was the largest supplier of sugar and tobacco to the European market in the 17th and 18th centuries). Almost the entire trade turnover of the island and, until recently, all its visitors passed through its arches.

Also noteworthy in the capital area are the House of Crafts, the Primate Research Center and the volcanic crater of Mount Liamuiga or Misery (1156 m). Liamuiga (“fertile land” is what the Carib Indians called this entire island) rises above the city blocks like a huge natural frame around a painter’s painting, and today the lush volcanic peak of this mountain serves as one of the favorite places for active recreation of the island’s inhabitants, there are many hiking trails, horse trails, cycling trails and easy climbing areas (however, access to its northern and northeastern slopes is limited by local environmental legislation).

Old Road Town

The entire northern part of St. Christopher is bordered by Circle Island Road, which can be driven, and in some places walked, in just a day. The narrow-gauge railway running next to the road, the ancient “sugar trains” that still tow cargo from the nearby cane plantations, as well as numerous fields and factories (more like “factories”) form a rather impressive landscape for which the areas adjacent to Cycle Island Road are famous .

The old town (more like a seaside village) of Old Road Town, lying just a few kilometers west of Basseterre, is considered one of the best historical and natural attractions of St. Christopher. The town grew up on the very spot where the first British settlers landed in 1623. Sir Thomas Warner, who led them, founded the first permanent European settlement in the Leeward Islands. Oddly enough, the inhabitants of the colony were able to establish good neighborly relations with the Caribs (although such friendship did not last long) and began to grow tobacco here, which created the wealth of the Warner clan and the island itself. Until 1727, Old Road Town served as the capital of St. Christopher, and after the transfer of capital functions to Basseterre, it became simply a beautiful and tranquil town, retaining much of its colonial charm, although all that remains of all its old buildings is the red brick and marble Government House the crypt of Sir Warner himself, lying in the old cemetery in the courtyard of the modest church of St. Thomas, 1.5 km north of the main road.

On the surrounding rocks there are numerous petroglyphs of the Carib Indians, who settled here long before the new era and already had a fairly developed and distinctive civilization by the 10th century. Batik, produced in Old Road Town, is also famous; here you can watch the process of creating the fabric, its design and painting, and also buy the finished product at the Caribel-Batik factory, located north of Old Road Town, in the suburb of Wingfield -Estate. Initially, the Romney Manor sugar plantation (XVII century), where the complex is now located, belonged to the great-grandfather of Thomas Jefferson, a prominent lawyer and third President of the United States. Around "Karibel-Batik" there is a small botanical garden, the main decoration of which is considered to be a 350-year-old adobe tree (the oldest on the island). And from the ruins of a sugar plantation that belonged to William Jefferson (brother of Thomas Jefferson) and its picturesque aqueduct (the only one in the entire Caribbean region), many excursions to the nearby tropical forests begin.

7 km north of Basseterre, between the capital and Old Road Town, lies the picturesque islet of Middle Island and the village of Challengers - the site of the brutal massacre of the Carib Indians in 1626. Here, among the green rocks, lie huge boulders and even entire sections stone walls, many of which bear ancient petroglyphs, widely known for their unique compositional structure - scientists believe that these are the first animations on Earth, in the sequence of signs of which some religious or historical events of Indian peoples are narrated.

Brimstone Hill Fortress

Brimestone Hill Fortress National Park is located approximately 13 km north-west of Basseterre. The basis of the park was not forests or reefs, but a large and rather chaotic 18th-century fort of the same name, known in its time as the “Gibraltar of the West Indies.” The main British outpost in the region was built on top of a 244-meter ancient volcanic massif, and its walls are surrounded by sulfur sulfur outcrops, which apparently gave the fort additional impressiveness in the face of a potential enemy. Moreover, the fort was built for almost a hundred years - its foundation was made in 1690 and until its capture by French troops (the fort capitulated in 1782 after just one month of siege, however, a year later the French themselves abandoned both the island and the fortress) new walls were constantly erected here and bastions. After the catastrophic fire of 1867, which engulfed almost the entire vicinity of Basseterre, some of the fort’s structures were partially dismantled, and the stones were used to restore the capital. The main tower of the fortress, the Citadel, is equipped with 24 guns and provides an excellent panorama of St. Eustatius and Sandy Point. Inside the old Citadel Barracks there is now a Museum of Colonial History, which displays cannonballs, blades and other weapons and equipment from the period. There is also a small collection of Native American period objects, some pottery fragments, and recovered petroglyph fragments from Old Road Town. In 2000, the entire complex of fortifications was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The town of Sandy Point is the second largest town in St. Christopher. In the 17th century, Sandy Point was the largest tobacco trading center on the island, so its main attraction is considered to be the large tobacco warehouses built at the same time by the Dutch West India Company. There seems to be nothing more to see here, but the nearby coral reef is considered one of the best places on the island for diving. And the coastal strip between Newton Ground and Sandy Bay evokes associations with the era of colonization of the New World, with its windswept shores, fantastic ocean vistas, fields of wild sugar cane and ruins of plantations, many of which (surviving, of course) have been rebuilt today to inns. The island's northernmost bay, Dieppe Bay, marks the beginning of the Atlantic coast, and just to the south begins one of St. Christopher's main natural attractions, the Black Rocks. Black waves of solidified lava fall directly into the sea here, forming a chaotic and mesmerizing landscape.

South East Peninsula

The southeastern peninsula of St. Christopher stretches in a long, flat strip from the mountainous northern part of the island to Nevis. At the isthmus, the coast is sandwiched by Frigate Bay (or rather, four bays, each of which differs from its neighbor only by a prefix to its name, indicating its geographical location), and to the south it expands noticeably, forming a “blade” of the Parish of St. Thomas-Lowland. The peninsula is wild and strikingly beautiful. Dotted with barren salt ponds, grassy hills and sparse vegetation, it is inhabited, for the most part, only by vervet monkeys, flocks of which sometimes even manage to block the only major road here, deer and feral goats grazing on the hilly plain of the south-eastern region. The shores of the South East Peninsula until recently were difficult to reach, but the construction of the road brought some elements of civilization here, although the development of the region as a tourist attraction is artificially restrained by the country's authorities. The country has fairly strict environmental protection standards, so these snow-white shores and pristine reservoirs are planned to remain a natural reserve, developing tourism only within the framework of respect for nature (currently only 3 resort complexes are open here).

Frigate Bay, the main resort and beach area on the island, covers the northern end of the peninsula. Here are the best shores of the island - Turtle Beach (in addition to the most beautiful beach area, there is a colorful restaurant called Ash Turtle), the coast of Boobie Island (a great place for water activities), Cockleshell Beach, the modest white White House Beach -Bay (one of the best snorkeling spots on the island), North Fries Bay and South Fries Bay, the long beaches of Sand Bank Bay, and many others. The stunning pink saltwater pools found in this part of St. Christopher provide a vibrant alternative to the colorful seashores. The color of the water is determined by the myriads of tiny crustaceans that inhabit these “lakes.” This sheltered and little-visited area is also home to a huge number of tropical birds, white-tailed deer and monkeys.

Nevis Island

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 led to the fact that many areas of the once green island were noticeably deserted (the east coast, for example, almost completely lost its forests and even part of the 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 open-air museum of colonial architecture - many small but very well-preserved buildings of the 17th-19th centuries form its central part. Some of them have now been converted into museums, making Charlestown a good place to study 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 historic quarters are concentrated around Cotton Ginnery Mall, where most of Charlestown's shopping spots are located, and Main Street. 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. The path that runs around the cemetery, commonly known to locals as Jewish Walk, leads from the cemetery to a nearby gray stone building (built in 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 rich tourists came here even from Europe. Today, it is still operational, but in order to take a dip in the hot waters of Hot Springs, you need to bring your own towel and other accessories, since there are no facilities here at the moment. 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 the entire southern coast of the island and even part of the western one. This area is famous for the largest concentration of old sugar plantations, the tranquil charm of green hills and gently sloping seashores. The main attractions here are the Fig Tree Church located north of the capital of the island (1680, the site of the wedding of Nelson and Fanny Nisbet), the Botanical Gardens of Nevis (open Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 16.30) near the Montpellier Hotel, where terraces of purple orchids are interspersed with groves tropical trees, as well as the once formidable Fort Charles (XVII-XIX centuries), which guarded 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.

Banks and currency

Currency can be exchanged at almost any bank in the country, with the best rates usually offered for US dollars and euros.

Credit cards (Eurocard, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, etc.) are accepted for payment in most restaurants, almost all hotels and many large stores. ATM machines can be found in most banks in the country.

Travel checks can be cashed almost everywhere - in bank offices, hotels and large stores. To avoid additional conversion costs, it is recommended to use traveler's checks in US dollars.

East Caribbean dollar (XCD or EC$), 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 the exchange rate has not changed since 1976 (EC$2.7 = US$1).

The US dollar is freely circulated on the islands; many prices are indicated both in American dollars and in East Caribbean dollars.

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Saint Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis is a state in the eastern Caribbean Sea, consisting of two islands in the Leeward Islands group.

The country's name comes from St. Christopher and the Spanish nevis, meaning "snow."

Official name: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Capital: Buster

The area of ​​the land: 261.6 sq. km

Total Population: 49.9 thousand people

Administrative division: The state is divided into 14 districts.

Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.

Head of State: The Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General.

Population composition: 90% are Africans, 8% are Europeans.

Official language: English.

Religion: 80% are Anglicans, 20% are Catholics.

Internet domain: .kn

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 60 Hz

Country dialing code: +1-869

Climate

Tropical trade wind, hot and very smooth. Fluctuations in average monthly temperatures are insignificant - from +18 C to +24 C, and the air temperature in summer rarely drops below +27 C even at night and rarely exceeds +30 C during the day.

Precipitation ranges from 700 to 1200 mm per year. The pattern of rain distribution directly depends on the altitude of a place above sea level and its geographical location. Maximum rain falls between May and October-November, and during this period, up to 70% of the annual precipitation can fall on the northeastern slopes of the mountains (in some years - up to 2000 mm), and on the southern slopes the weather differs little from the rest of the year . The relatively dry season lasts from December to April.

Like the other Leeward Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis is in the path of severe tropical storms, which are most likely to occur between August and October.

Geography

The state of Saint Kitts and Nevis is located on the territory of the islands of the same name, lying in the northern part of the Leeward Islands group. It borders on Antigua and Barbuda to the east, Montserrat to the southeast, the Netherlands Antilles (St. Eustatius) to the northwest, and Saint Barthelemy, which is part of French Guadeloupe, to the north (all borders are maritime).

It is washed on all sides by the waters of the Caribbean Sea (the total length of the coastline is 135 km). The total area of ​​the state is 261.6 square meters. km (Saint Christopher - 168 sq. km, Nevis - 93 sq. km). It is the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

The slopes of the mountains are occupied by sugar cane and cotton plantations, and higher up there are shrubs and small mountain tropical forests.

The vegetation in the interior mountainous regions of the islands is represented by dense tropical rain forests (lianas, mangoes, breadfruit and cinnamon trees, tamarind, avocado, bananas, and papaya grow). At the tops of the mountains, forests give way to meadows, and in the lower parts they are cleared and replaced by plantations of sugar cane and other crops. They are especially common in the northern part of the island of St. Kitts, which consists of gently undulating hills. The southern slopes are steeper and mostly covered with dense forests and orchards.

On the western slopes of the island of Nevis, rows of palm trees rise, forming a real coconut forest. The eastern slopes retain more natural forms of native vegetation and are mostly occupied by tropical forests, bushland and relatively small farmland.

Animal world

The forests are home to numerous tropical birds and butterflies, and there are monkeys. Many seabirds, including pelicans, nest on the coast. The waters abound with fish.

Banks and currency

East Caribbean dollar (XCD or EC$), 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 the exchange rate has not changed since 1976 (EC$2.7 = US$1).

The US dollar is freely circulated on the islands; many prices are indicated both in American dollars and in East Caribbean dollars.

Banks are 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, however, some banks stop working with individuals as early as 13.00. Some bank offices in airports and seaports are 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.

Currency can be exchanged at almost any bank in the country, with the best rates usually offered for US dollars and euros.

Credit cards (Eurocard, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, etc.) are accepted for payment in most restaurants, almost all hotels and many large stores. ATM machines can be found in most banks in the country.

Travel checks can be cashed almost everywhere - in bank offices, hotels and large stores. To avoid additional conversion costs, it is recommended to use traveler's checks in US dollars.

Useful information for tourists

Hotels and restaurants add 7% tax and 10% service charges to bills. If the restaurant bills do not include payment for services, the tip is 10% accordingly.