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Category: St. Kitts & Nevis
Saint John Figtree Parish
Saint John Figtree is one of five administrative parishes which make up the small Caribbean island of Nevis. These five parishes are part of the fourteen parishes that exist within the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, a two-island country in the Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles, West Indies.
Description
The parish capital of Saint John Figtree is the settlement known as Church Ground. The parish church, Fig Tree Church, is notable for being the location where the registration of the marriage between young Nevisian plantation family widow Frances Nisbet and Horatio Nelson was carried out, in 1787, when Nelson was still a young sea captain.
The village of Bath is at the northwestern end of this parish, just south of Charlestown. Nearby is the Bath Hotel, which is now government offices, but which was originally (in 1778) the first tourist hotel and spa in the West Indies. Also nearby is Government House.
Stoney Grove Estate, a former plantation, is located here.
This parish is unique in St Kitts and St Nevis in that it is the only parish that does not allow women to serve on its parish council.
Other villages within the parish are: Brown Hill, Prospect, Pembroke, Fig Tree, Brown Pasture, Cole Hill, Beach Road, and Pond Hill. The Nevis Botanical Garden is more or less centrally located in the parish, as is the hotel, Montpelier Plantation Inn.
In the southernmost part of the parish is the Nevis deep-water port. Most of the coastline of this parish consists of small cliffs and coves with small beaches, many of which are not easily accessible from the land.
References
- ^ “2011 Census”. Department of Statistics, St. Kitts and Nevis.
- ^ “Stony Grove Estate”. geoview.info. geoview.info. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- ORDNANCE SURVEY, GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1984, Nevis, with part of St. Christopher (Saint Kitts). Series E803 (D.O.S. 343), Sheet NEVIS, Edition 5 O.S.D. 1984. Reprinted in 1995, published by the Government of the United Kingdom (Ordnance Survey) for the Government of Saint Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis.
- ROBINSON, DAVID & JENNIFER LOWERY (Editors), 2000. The natural history of the island of Nevis. Nevis Historical and Conservation Society Press, Ithaca, New York.
- HUBBARD, VINCENT K., 2002. Swords, ships, and sugar: a history of Nevis, Premiere Editions, Corvallis, Oregon. 5th Edition.
Saint Thomas Lowland, Nevis
Saint Thomas Lowland is one of 5 Nevis parishes which are in turn part of the 14 administrative parishes that make up the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles, West Indies.
The coast of this parish consists primarily of sand beaches, most notably the 3-mile long Pinney’s Beach. Behind the sandy coastline are several small lagoons, including the freshwater lagoon of Nelson‘s Spring, which is next to the village of Cotton Ground. Some of the island’s most important hotel developments are located in this area, including the Four Seasons Resort Nevis.
The small but steep hill at Cades Point is a weathered remnant of an ancient volcanic core. Further inland, many small villages, and homes are located on the gently sloping landscape which gradually rises up towards Nevis Peak. Further inland as the elevation increases, the vegetation becomes lusher because of higher rainfall on the steeper slopes of Nevis Peak. The summit of the Peak is the Parish’s interior land boundary.
Settlements
The parish capital settlement is Cotton Ground. Other villages within the parish are Westbury, Barnes Ghaut and Jessups. There is also a small section of Craddock Road that is part of the parish, even though most of the Craddock Road community is in St. Paul’s Parish.
Capital – Cotton Ground
Other Villages:
- Barnes Ghaut
- Jessups
- Stuarts
- Westbury
The southern end of the parish embraces the northern fringe of Charlestown, the capital of Nevis, including the Community Center (which was previously the cinema), the ruins of the Rest Haven Hotel (heavily damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989), and Pinney’s Beach Hotel at the southern end of Pinney’s Beach.
Economy
Saint Thomas Lowland parish can arguably be viewed as the heart of the Nevis economy. This is because the island’s main economic sector is tourism, and this parish is home to the island’s largest hotel, the Four Seasons Resort, which is the largest single employer on the island, second only to the Government. The Four Seasons golf course is considered to be one of the best in the Caribbean. Several other hotel developments are also located on the coast of this parish.
History
Saint Thomas was the first established Parish on Nevis, and was home to the first British settlement, Jamestown. Legend has it that Jamestown was lost in a tidal wave in the late 1680s, but there is no archeological evidence that would support that story. In any case the first settlement was abandoned, but St. Thomas’ Church, on higher ground, remains.
Future developments
The parish of Saint Thomas Lowland is the premier development area in Nevis at present, with a large hotel and golf course construction in progress, the most expensive such development in the Federation.
Tourist attractions
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Scuba Safaris Ltd
Dive Nevis
Nevis’ first and only full SCUBA outfit. Scuba Safaris, a PADI 5 STAR DIVE CENTER is based at the Oualie Beach, a sheltered, shallow bay on the Northern end of the island. We have been in operation since 1985, offering superior knowledge and experience of our local waters, numerous Nevis and St. Kitts dive sites
Scuba Safaris boast friendly professional staff eager to share their knowledge and their dive experiences or just sit, sip a cool cocktail “shooting the breeze” with their guest after an enjoyable day’s dive.
Dive boats
Over Exposure
A fast 34 foot diesel powered sedan, patially shaded with flybridge. Ideal for intimate groups and those hard to reach dive sites. Maximum capacity 14 for 2-tank dive. This boat is also designed for easy water entry and exit.
Sea Monkey
A fast 45 foot power cat, certified for 25 divers. The vessel is 3/4 shaded. It has an electric marine head and 2 large ladders. This boat is designed for easy water entry and exit (giant-stride entry.)
Oualie Beach Resort
The Oualie Beach host a small friendly 32 room Hotel with a cozy beach bar a stone throw away from the Dive Shop. The bay is also home to Nevis Water Sports, Deep Sea Fishing, Wind Surf Nevis and Wheel World bicycle Shop all next door to Scuba Safaris.
Pro Divers St Kitts
Margot and Auston Macleod
Let us help you discover the underwater world around the beautiful island of St Kitts. We have been scuba diving here in St Kitts since 1981 and we are still thrilled to be showing our divers the marine life. We are a family-owned and run business and we take great care to offer you the best scuba diving experience on the island. Read our Tripadvisor Reviews
Pro Divers St Kitts is the islands premier PADI Scuba Diving facility
We offer a personal service and a fun atmosphere which enables you to get the most from your St Kitts scuba diving experience.
We are the only 5 Star Padi Dive Resort on the island of St Kitts.More about Scuba Diving in St KittsOur location in St Kitts
Scuba dive in St Kitts from your cruise ship
Why pay cruise excursion prices? Our dive boat is minutes away from the cruise ship terminal. We will meet you from your ship. Our all-inclusive rates are the best value on the island.
Enjoy a Discover Scuba Diving Experience
Want to try Scuba diving in St Kitts without committing to a qualification course? Join one of our Padi Instructors for an underwater Discover Scuba Diving experience you will never forget!
Scuba Diver Training at its best
From Open Water to Divemaster, we offer the most comprehensive training on St Kitts. Auston has been an Instructor for over 25 years and our lead Dive Educator, Terry, has over 2,000 registered Padi students over 15 years. Enjoy quality Scuba Diving Training with our Padi Master Instructor.
Kenneth’s Dive Center
Why Us
Kenneth’s Dive Center is the longest-running dive shop on the island has been in existence for over 40 years. With this in mind, we know the underwater world incredibly well and will be sure to amaze you with the abundance of underwater life including a diverse variety of corals, fish, sea turtles, rays, and sharks.
We offer personalized dive and snorkel trips for you, your family, and friends. As well as we are a PADI-certified dive resort offering a wide range of dive certifications.
Diving in St. Kitts & Nevis
Scuba divers of all ages and abilities delight in St. Kitts’ glorious underwater world, with many sites virtually unexplored. Bordered by the Caribbean and the Atlantic, the island offers a range of options, from near-shore reefs to subaquatic caves. Underwater visibility ranges from 30 to 100 feet deep, meaning you’ll have crystal-clear views of walls, ledges, under hangs, coral towers, and sunken ships, all swarming with sea life. St. Kitts’ sister island, Nevis, also offers supreme diving, along with the channel between the two.
SCUBA DIVING IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS INCLUDES
Reef diving. Our reefs provide a good hiding place for Spotted Drum, High Hat Arrow Crab and large lobsters. Divers love the Hot Vent at 90 feet, fizzing with 100oF water. Depths range from 35 feet to 95 feet.
Wreck dives. More than 400 ships have sunk off the shores of St. Kitts, with only a dozen or so having been identified to date.The most popular wreck dive, especially for novices, is River Taw, a 144-foot-long freighter sunk at 50 feet in 1985. A large variety of reef fish, including Squirrel Fish, Barracuda, Glassed Eye Snapper, and Angel Fish, flit about its encrusted coral.
Cave diving. Divers at Devil’s Cave, north of Charlestown on Nevis’ west coast, navigate through coral grottos and around overhangs crowded with Glassy Sweepers, Blue Tang, Nurse Sharks, Sting Rays, and on occasion Black Tip Reef Shark. Depths are up to 40 feet.
Resort courses are offered at many of the properties to introduce clients to the world below without having to be a Certified Scuba Diver. The adventure starts with a session in the pool and a briefing on the basics of scuba diving. Once potential divers master the basic rules, including how to clear the mask, clear your ears, breathe underwater, signal OK, signal out of air, and control buoyancy, a dive boat will take you out to sea for a one-tank dive. Experienced PADI instructors supervise the entire dive. Resort course participants must be at least 10 years of age. Most courses limit the dive to a depth of 30 feet.
Sea temperatures in St. Kitts range from 74oF-79oF in winter to 80oF-85oF in summer. Divers find that a 2.5 or 3mm Shorty provides adequate warmth while diving. Those who dive in warmer waters, or tend to feel the cold, may want to opt for a 3mm full suit, especially during the winter months.
St. Kitts and Nevis’ dive operators are accredited by recognized certification agencies (PADI and NAUI) and can also train and certify new divers. Dives can be arranged directly with the operator or through any of the islands’ hotels. All necessary gear can be rented at the dive shops. There is no decompression chamber on the island.
BIRD ROCK BEACH KENNETH’S DIVE CENTER P.O. Box 1023 Basseterre, St. Kitts
Phone: 869-465-8914
VISIT WEBSITENewtown Bay Road Basseterre, St. Kitts
Phone: 869-465-2670
E-mail
VISIT WEBSITEPRO DIVERS SCUBA SAFARIS LTD. Fisherman’s Wharf P.O. Box 174 Basseterre, St. Kitts Phone: 869-660-3483
E-mail
VISIT WEBSITEOualie Beach Resort P.O. Box 795 Oualie Beach, Nevis Phone: 869-469-9518
VISIT WEBSITE
St. Kitts & Nevis Economy
Economy
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a twin-island federation whose economy is characterized by its dominant tourism, agriculture, and light manufacturing industries.[1] Sugar was the primary export from the 1940s on, but rising production costs, low world market prices, and the government’s efforts to reduce dependence on it have led to a growing diversification of the agricultural sector. In 2005, the government decided to close down the state-owned sugar company, which had experienced losses and was a significant contributor to the fiscal deficit.
St. Kitts and Nevis are heavily dependent upon tourism to drive its economy, a sector that has expanded significantly since the 1970s. In 2009 there were 587,479 arrivals to Saint Kitt’s compared to 379,473 in 2007, an increase of just under 40% in a two-year period, however the tourist sector decreased during the Global financial crisis and has only recently returned to pre-crash levels. In recent years the government has sought to diversify the economy via agriculture, tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking.
In July 2015, St Kitts & Nevis and the Republic of Ireland signed a tax agreement to “promote international co-operation in tax matters through exchange of information.” The agreement was developed by the OECD Global Forum Working Group on Effective Exchange of Information, which consisted of representatives from OECD member countries and 11 other countries in the Caribbean and other parts of the world.
Transport
Further information: Transport in Saint Kitts and NevisRobert L. Bradshaw International Airport on St KittsVance W. Amory International Airport on Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis has two international airports. The larger one is Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on the island of Saint Kitts with service outside to the Caribbean, North America, and Europe. The other airport, Vance W. Amory International Airport, is located on the island of Nevis and has flights to other parts of the Caribbean.
The St. Kitts Scenic Railway is the last remaining running railroad in the Lesser Antilles.
Economic citizenship by investment
St. Kitts allows foreigners to obtain the status of St. Kitts citizen by means of a government-sponsored investment programme called Citizenship-by-Investment. Established in 1984, St. Kitts’ citizenship programme is the oldest prevailing economic citizenship programme of this kind in the world. However, while the programme is the oldest in the world, it only catapulted in 2006 when Henley & Partners, a global citizenship advisory firm, became involved in the restructuring of the programme to incorporate donations to the country’s sugar industry.
Citizenship-by-Investment Programmes have been criticised by some researchers due to the risks of corruption, money laundering and tax evasion. According to the official website of St. Kitts’ Citizenship-by-Investment Programme, they offer multiple benefits: “When you acquire citizenship under St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship programme, you and your family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent. As citizens of St. Kitts & Nevis, you and your family are issued with passports which allow visa-free travel to more than 140 countries and territories worldwide, including all of the EU. Of course you have the right to take up residence in St. Kitts & Nevis as well as in most of the CARICOM member countries at any time and for any length of time”.
Each candidate must go through several legal steps and make a qualifying investment into the country and should complete certain legal requirements to qualify for citizenship under the investment program. There is a minimum investment that has to be made by the applicant, in either an approved real estate or in the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (a public charity), to qualify for the economic citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis.
According to Henley & Partners, the requirements are as follows:
- An investment in designated real estate with a minimum value of US$400,000, plus the payment of government fees and other fees and taxes.
- A contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Fund of at least US$250,000, inclusive of all government fees but exclusive of due diligence fees which are the same for the real estate option.
According to Imperial & Legal, from 1 April 2018 St Kitts and Nevis government implemented a new investment option – Contribution to Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF). To qualify for citizenship of St Kitts & Nevis, applicants who choose to invest in SGF will need to make a one-off non-refundable contribution of $150,000 plus due diligence fees.
St. Kitts & Nevis Culture
Culture
Main article: Culture of St. Kitts and NevisSee also: Music of Saint Kitts and Nevis, J’ouvert, and Saint Kitts Creole
Languages
English is the sole official language. Saint Kitts Creole is also widely spoken.
Music and festivals
The Mongoose Play, a popular production of folk theatre and music
Saint Kitts and Nevis are known for a number of musical celebrations including Carnival (18 December to 3 January on Saint Kitts). The last week in June features the St Kitts Music Festival, while the week-long Culturama on Nevis lasts from the end of July into early August.
Additional festivals on the island of Saint Kitts include Inner City Fest, in February in Molineaux; Green Valley Festival, usually around Whit Monday in the village of Cayon; Easterama, around Easter in the village of Sandy Point; Fest-Tab, in July or August in the village of Tabernacle; and La festival de Capisterre, around Independence Day in Saint Kitts and Nevis (19 September), in the Capisterre region. These celebrations typically feature parades, street dances and salsa, jazz, soca, calypso, and steelpan music.
The 1985 film Missing in Action 2: The Beginning was filmed in Saint Kitts.
Sports
See also: Cricket in the West Indies and Rugby union in Saint Kitts and Nevis
Cricket is common in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Top players can be selected for the West Indies cricket team. The late Runako Morton was from Nevis. Saint Kitts and Nevis was the smallest country to host 2007 Cricket World Cup matches.
Rugby and netball are also common in Saint Kitts and Nevis as well.
The St. Kitts and Nevis national football team, also known as the “Sugar Boyz”, has experienced some international success in recent years, progressing to the semi-final round of qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in the CONCACAF region. Led by Glence Glasgow, they defeated the US Virgin Islands and Barbados before they were outmatched by Mexico, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Despite not representing the country, Marcus Rashford is of descent.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Billiard Federation, SKNBF, is the governing body for cue sports across the two islands. The SKNBF is a member of the Caribbean Billiards Union (CBU) with the SKNBF President Ste Williams holding the post of CBU Vice-President.
Kim Collins is the country’s foremost track and field athlete. He has won gold medals in the 100 metres at both the World Championships in Athletics and Commonwealth Games, and at the 2000 Sydney Olympics he was the country’s first athlete to reach an Olympic final. He and three other athletes represented St. Kitts and Nevis at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The four by one hundred metre relay team won a bronze medal in the 2011 world championships.
American writer and former figure skater and triathlete Kathryn Bertine were granted dual citizenship in an attempt to make the 2008 Summer Olympics representing St. Kitts and Nevis in women’s cycling. Her story was chronicled online at ESPN.com as a part of its E-Ticket feature entitled “So You Wanna Be An Olympian?” She ultimately failed to earn the necessary points for Olympic qualification.
St. Kitts and Nevis had two athletes ride in the time trial at the 2010 UCI Road World Championships: Reginald Douglas and James Weekes.
St. Kitts & Nevis Population & religion
Population
The population of Saint Kitts and Nevis is around 53,000 (July 2019 est.) and has remained relatively constant for many years. At the end of the nineteenth century, there were 42,600 residents, the number slowly rising to a little over 50,000 by the mid-twentieth century. Between 1960 and 1990, the population dropped from 50,000 to 40,000, before rising again to its current level. Approximately three-quarters of the population live in Saint Kitts, with 15,500 of these living in the capital, Basseterre. Other large settlements include Cayon (population 3,000) and Sandy Point Town (3,000), both on Saint Kitts, and Gingerland (2,500), and Charlestown (1,900), both on Nevis.
The population is primarily Afro-Caribbean (92.5%), with significant minorities of European (2.1%) and Indian (1.5%) descent (2001 estimate).
As of 2018, there were 52,441 inhabitants; their average life expectancy is 76.9 years. Emigration has historically been very high, so high that the total estimated population in 2007 was little changed from that in 1961.
Emigration from St. Kitts and Nevis to the United States:
1986–1990: 3,513
1991–1995: 2,730
1996–2000: 2,101
2001–2005: 1,756
2006–2010: 1,817Religion
Most inhabitants (82%) are Christians, mainly Anglicans and other Protestants denominations, with a smaller population of Catholics.
Roman Catholics are pastorally served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint John’s–Basseterre, while the Anglicans by the Diocese of the North East Caribbean and Aruba.
St Kitts & Nevis Administrative divisions
Administrative divisions
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is divided into fourteen parishes: Nine divisions on Saint Kitts and five on Nevis.St. Kitts
Christ Church Nichola Town (SK)
Saint Anne Sandy Point (SK)
Saint George Basseterre (SK)
Saint John Capisterre (SK)
Saint Mary Cayon (SK)
Saint Paul Capisterre (SK)
Saint Peter Basseterre (SK)
Saint Thomas Middle Island (SK)
Trinity Palmetto Point (SK)Nevis
Saint George Gingerland (N)
Saint James Windward (N)
Saint John Figtree (N)
Saint Paul Charlestown (N)
Saint Thomas Lowland (N)
