St. Christopher (commonly called St. Kitts) and Nevis, separated by just two miles, are two islands in the north eastern Caribbean comprising 261 square kilometres with a population of 45,000. Despite their small size there is much natural diversity, ranging from forested volcanic mountains soaring to more than 1,000 meters, to coastal plains, dry scrub, golden beaches and vibrant coral reefs in the warm waters offshore.
By Paul Diamond, Nevis Historical and Conservation Society
Overview: Nevis is a wonderful, picturesque traditional Caribbean island, with little in the way of ugly strip malls, high crime rates and cheap hotel culture that has blighted other Caribbean islands. It’s very much like the Caribbean used to be before rampant development took over. It does however still have most modern amenities (island wide broad-band for example) and some fairly luxurious one too. Plus it has the laid-back island life-style and gorgeous tropical scenery and climate that most people dream the Caribbean as being like.
Nevis is the smaller partner island in the independent nation officially known as The Federation of St. Christopher (St.Kitts) and Nevis. It is located in the northern half of the Leeward Islands, 50 miles west of Antigua. Former British colonies, the islands were granted full independence in 1983, and have a UK styled parliamentary system.
Nevis is a truly gorgeous looking island; very much what most people would conjure up in their minds if asked to imagine a Caribbean Island.
It is roughly circular in shape encompassing 36 square miles almost completely surrounded by turquoise water, golden beaches and coconut palms. The islands most dominant feature is the majestic 3,200-foot, cloud capped volcanic peak ofMount Nevis at its centre.
