Saint Kitts Together With Nevis: The Caribbean People Of The Fertile Province Together With Beautiful Waters
The Federation of Saint Kitts together with Nevis is a sovereign two-island land located inward the Leeward Islands inward the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign province inward the Americas, inward both surface area together with population. Saint with its intoxicating natural beauty, sunny skies, warm waters, together with white sandy beaches combined, making it 1 of the most seductive spots inward the Caribbean, is inhabited generally yesteryear the descendants of West African slaves.
The islands of Saint Kitts together with Nevis are ii of the Caribbean's oldest colonized territories together with the upper-case alphabetic quality metropolis together with headquarters of authorities for the federated province is Basseterre on the larger isle of Saint Kitts. The smaller isle of Nevis lies nigh 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Saint Kitts, across a shallow channel called "The Narrows".
Coastal Ecosystems (a) St. Kitts
The coastal together with marine ecosystems inward St. Kitts include coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves, tabular array salt ponds, various aquatic life together with the coastline. As an isle territory, St. Kitts has a delicate 78.1 km long coastline consisting of 34.7 km cliff (rocks), 10.8 km cobble, 6.3 km boulders together with rocks, 13.1 km dark volcanic sand, together with 13.2 km golden sand.
Both coral reef together with sea grass communities contribute to the next environmental processes:
§ Provide habitat for commercially of import fish species for illustration spiny lobster together with queen conch depend upon both habitats at for sure periods inward their life cycles.
§ Produce nutrients that are of import inward sustaining the life of fish species together with other organisms. The reefs also human activity every bit barriers during periods of heavy moving ridge attack, together with are of import contributors to white sands.
Mangroves are non abundant. The principal together with most extensive mangrove habitat inward St. Kitts make off inward the SEP. Hawksbill together with light-green sea turtles are found around the entire coast. In addition, at that topographic point is a large number of resident together with migratory birds that depend on the mangrove together with pond communities for feeding together with nesting.
(b) Nevis
Shoreline features of Nevis include sandy beaches, fresh H2O lagoons, rocky shores together with massive sea cliffs. The most prominent sandy beach is a 4 km department of the coastline that stretches N from Charlestown to Cades Bay, called Pinneys Beach. It is composed of both coral fragments together with terrestrial soils that give it a yellowish appearance together with is typical of a number of beaches found along the leeward coast of the island.
Another characteristic associated with the leeward coastline of Nevis is its organization of freshwater lagoons. These may go the outcome of either mount ghaut run-off, every bit is the illustration for the Pinneys Estate lagoons, or clandestine springs every bit evidenced at Nelson Springs inward Cotton Ground.
Nevis
Rocky shores are oft associated with an impressive array of marine life from algae together with snails to juvenile fishes of all description. Sea cliffs are found where strong moving ridge unloosen energy undercuts rocky ledges together with erodes soil from agglomerate together with unconsolidated rock. These rugged habitats tin forcefulness out go found on the southern together with eastern coasts of Nevis.
Three coastal habitats -- freshwater lagoons, coral reefs, together with seagrass beds -- are of critical importance to the nearshore tropical marine ecosystems of Nevis. There are many direct together with indirect links betwixt the productivity of these habitats together with the wellness of inshore fisheries.
Climate
The climate of the Federation of St. Kitts together with Nevis is classified every bit tropical marine. Generally, it is influenced yesteryear steady northeast merchandise winds together with tropical oceanic together with cyclonic movements.
Humidity
The relative humidity is fairly high all yr circular - some 75% - 80%. It is usually depression inward the dry out flavor together with high inward the moisture season. The hateful value is 76%, but it ranges from 70% inward March, to 78% inward September, Oct together with November.
Rainfall
Rainfall is mainly cyclonic together with orographic together with increases inward amount together with frequency with altitude. Mean annual rainfall ranges from nigh 890 – 1000 mm (35 - twoscore inches) inward the coastal areas, to nigh 2500 – 3800 mm (100 - 150 inches) inward the fundamental mount ranges. The rainfall is unevenly distributed betwixt years together with betwixt months, but at that topographic point is a reliable moisture flow from August to September together with a dry out flow from Jan - April.
Temperature
Temperatures average some 270 Celsius. Seasonal together with diurnal variations inward temperature are small.
Hurricanes together with Other Natural Hazards
(a) Hurricanes
The Federation is peculiarly vulnerable to impairment from tropical storms. Since 1989, viii storms receive got affected the province - Hugo, Felix, Gilbert, Iris, Luis, Marilyn, Bertha together with Georges. Damage from Hurricane Hugo (1989) has been estimated at E.C. $117 1 one one thousand thousand (US$43 M), from Hurricane Luis together with Marilyn (1995) at E.C. $149 1 one one thousand thousand (US$55M), together with from Hurricane Georges (1998) at E.C. $200 1 one one thousand thousand (US$74M).
These costs underestimate the actual magnitude of the economical impacts, every bit they produce non concern human relationship for private expenditures, every bit when private insurance claims are paid, or restoration together with repairs are done with insurance. Nor produce they concern human relationship for repairs that are non done, every bit when buildings are left abandoned together with derelict. They also produce non concern human relationship for the revenues lost to business, or lost tourist dollars, together with they produce non reverberate the costs inward human suffering together with grief that accompany major storms.
(b) Earthquakes
Earthquakes inward the Federation are derived straight from the tectonic interaction of the Caribbean Area together with Atlantic Plates, together with indirectly from volcanic activity also associated with these tectonic plates. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 secondary concern is that of earthquake (and volcanic) driven tsunamis (“tidal waves”), which could drive considerable impairment together with loss of life inward depression lying, densely populated coastal areas.
(c) Volcanic Activity
There is no historic tape of major volcanic eruption with attendant loss of belongings together with life. Nevertheless, the islands are geologically young, together with experience little activity at their Mt. Liamuiga together with Nevis Peak outlets.
Mount Liamuiga, St. Kitts
The Origin of The Name St Kitts together with Nevis
Saint Kitts was named "Liamuiga" yesteryear the Kalinago Indians who inhabited the island. This name, roughly translated, inward English linguistic communication agency "fertile land," a testimony to the island's rich volcanic soil together with high productivity.
Nevis's pre-Columbian cite was "Oualie," which translates to "land of beautiful waters," presumably referring to the island's many freshwater springs together with hot volcanic springs.
Christopher Columbus, upon sighting what nosotros at nowadays telephone telephone Nevis inward 1493, gave that isle the cite San Martin (Saint Martin). However, the confusion of numerous, poorly charted little islands inward the Leeward Island chain, meant that the cite ended upward beingness accidentally transferred to some other island, the 1 which nosotros at nowadays know every bit the French/Dutch isle Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten.
The electrical flow cite "Nevis" is derived from a Castilian cite Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (The master copy cite was the archaic Castilian "Noestra Siñora delas Neves"), yesteryear a physical care for of abbreviation together with anglicisation. This Castilian cite agency Our Lady of the Snows. It is non known who chose this cite for the island, but it is a reference to the story of a fourth-century Catholic miracle: a snowfall on the Esquiline Hill inward Rome. Presumably the white clouds which usually wreathe the top of Nevis Peak reminded someone of the story of a miraculous snowfall inward a hot climate. The isle of Nevis, upon get-go British settlement, was referred to every bit "Dulcina," a cite important "sweet one." Its master copy Castilian name, "Nuestra Señora de las Nieves," was eventually kept however, though it was before long shortened to "Nevis."
There is some disagreement over the cite which Columbus gave to St. Kitts. For many years it was idea that he named the isle San Cristobal, after his patron saint Saint Christopher, the saint of travelling. However, novel studies suggest that Columbus named the isle Sant Yago (Saint James). The cite "San Cristobal" was plainly given yesteryear Columbus to the isle at nowadays known every bit Saba, xx miles northwest. It seems that "San Cristobal" came to go applied to the isle of St. Kitts solely every bit the outcome of a mapping error.
No thing the root of the name, the isle was good documented every bit "San Cristobal" yesteryear the 17th century. The get-go English linguistic communication colonists kept the English linguistic communication translation of this name, together with dubbed it "St. Christopher's Island." In the 17th century Kit, or Kitt, was a mutual nickname for the cite Christopher, together with therefore the isle was oft informally referred to every bit "Saint Kitt's island," which was farther shortened to "Saint Kitts."
Today, the Constitution refers to the province every bit both "Saint Kitts together with Nevis" together with "Saint Christopher together with Nevis," but the one-time is the 1 most commonly used.
Language
All the inhabitants verbalize English, together with all the Afro-Caribbean residents receive got access to a local dialect based partly on English linguistic communication together with partly on several West African languages. English linguistic communication is the linguistic communication of business, religion, together with tourism together with is the medium of instruction inward schools. The local dialect, referred to every bit Kittitian on Saint Kitts together with Nevisian on Nevis, is used inward the family, at social gatherings, together with with men socializing together. It also is employed yesteryear Nevisians to communicate with 1 some other without beingness understood yesteryear tourists.
History
Five one one thousand years prior to European arrival, the isle was settled yesteryear Native Americans. The concluding moving ridge of Native American arrivals, the Kalinago people, arrived some 3 centuries earlier the Europeans. The islands were discovered yesteryear the Europeans through a Castilian expedition nether Columbus inward 1493. In 1538, French Huguenots established a settlement on St. Kitts but the settlement was destroyed yesteryear the Castilian before long afterwards together with the survivors were deported. In 1623, an English linguistic communication settlement was established, which was before long followed yesteryear French settlements, the isle beingness divided yesteryear agreement. Dissimilar to many other islands, the local Kalinago people on the isle allowed Europeans to colonise Saint Kitts. In 1626, the Anglo-French settlers massacred the Kalinago, pre-empting a programme yesteryear the Kalinago to drive the foreigners from the island.
Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh flanked yesteryear (l-r) Nevis Premier Hon. Vance Amory, Federations First Governor-General Sir Clement Arrindell, Lady Arrindell, Lady Simmonds together with get-go Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Sir Kennedy Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Simmonds.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Castilian expedition, sent to enforce Castilian claims, destroyed the English linguistic communication together with French colonies together with deported the settlers dorsum to their respective countries inward 1629. As component division of the state of war settlement inward 1630, the Castilian permitted the re-establishment of the English linguistic communication together with French colonies.
As Castilian might went into decline, Saint Kitts became the premier base of operations for English linguistic communication together with French expansion into the Caribbean, every bit the islands of Antigua, Montserrat, Anguilla together with Tortola for the English, together with Martinique, the Guadeloupe archipelago together with St. Barts for the French were colonised from it. During the belatedly 17th century, French Republic together with England battled for command over St Kitts. It was ceded to U.K. inward 1713.
Although little inward size, together with separated yesteryear solely 2 miles (3 km) of water, the ii islands were viewed together with governed every bit dissimilar states until the belatedly 19th century, when they were forcibly unified along with the isle of Anguilla yesteryear the British. To this 24-hour interval relations are strained, with Nevis accusing Saint Kitts of neglecting its needs.
St Kitta together with Nevis people celebrating Emancipation Day
The British generally imported slaves from West Africa to operate inward the sugarcane plantation every bit good every bit other human labour. Slaves were imported from West African coast, generally Ghana, Bight of Biafra (Nigeria), Dahomey together with others. Out of African imported to Caribbean Area Islands of St Kitts together with Nevis, bulk were Akans (mostly Fantes) from Ghana, followed yesteryear Yoruba, Igbo together with Fons. In fact, the demands for slave labour inward St Kitts together with Nevis was inward high demand that yesteryear 1700, Nevis had 8000 African slaves, outnumbering the whites 5 to one.
Saint Kitts together with Nevis, along with Anguilla, became an associated province with total internal autonomy inward 1967. Anguillians rebelled, together with separated from the others inward 1971. St. Kitts together with Nevis achieved independence inward 1983. It is the newest sovereign province inward the Americas. In August 1998, a vote inward Nevis on a plebiscite to separate from St. Kitts roughshod curt of the two-thirds bulk needed. In belatedly September 1998, Hurricane Georges caused some $458,000,000 inward damages together with belongings together with express gross domestic product growth for the yr together with beyond. Georges was the worst hurricane to hitting the portion inward the century.
St Kitts together with Nevis girl
Human Settlements
(a) St. Kitts
The settlement designing inward St. Kitts consists of a serial of little villages along the isle principal road, which passes really unopen to the coastline. There is a concentration inward the Basseterre upper-case alphabetic quality region, where nigh 40% of the population resides. There is a full general preference for living close the coastline, primarily because most of the upland interior Earth is really rugged together with steep with some sections beingness nether the woods reserve together with the remaining areas are intensely cultivated with carbohydrate cane.
The rural landscape is dominated yesteryear carbohydrate cane plantations, with settlements interspersed inward between. The increasing demand for agricultural Earth has, inward recent decades, resulted inward many little farmers clearing forested Earth inward the upper slopes for farming. Such encroachment results inward deforestation, soil erosion, together with pollution of flow rivers together with coastal waters.
The rural areas are characterized yesteryear ribbon developments, none of which tin forcefulness out go said to receive got occurred every bit component division of a planned physical evolution strategy, although at that topographic point are a handful of locations where planned developments receive got been implemented.
The major urban areas are Basseterre - the upper-case alphabetic quality city, Sandy Point together with Cayon. The drift from rural to urban areas over the yesteryear ii decades has led to Basseterre becoming overcrowded. Sandy Point together with Cayon are also experiencing expansion related problemsThe metropolis centre is, for the most part, good planned, beingness set out on a grid-iron pattern. Near to the metropolis centre, at that topographic point are some other areas of well-planned low-to medium-density suburbs (Shadwell, Wades Garden, Ponds Pasture together with Fortlands). Interspersed amongst
these, are a few areas of high density residential developments.
Aerial View of the Basseterre Valley, St.Kitts.
In recent years, the metropolis centre has go increasingly congested together with its infrastructure is approaching saturation levels. There is range silent to expand outwards, with the availability of 10 hectares (25 acres) of Earth newly reclaimed from the sea together with the construction of a novel sea port (Port Zante) inward the unopen vicinity.
In the concluding 10 years, Basseterre has experienced important growth of dormitory suburbs at Mattingley, Bird Rock together with Earl Morne. In addition, it is also experiencing commercial together with industrial expansion on the margins of the town. The traditional suburbs of the capital, Mc Knight, Irish Gaelic Town together with Newtown, where the cracking bulk of the city’s population live, are for the most component division poorly planned together with introduce formidable challenges inward terms of adequate housing, services together with infrastructure provision. Urban renewal programmes look to go necessary inward these areas.
Brimstone Hill Fortress - St. Kitts
Other major Earth uses inward the urban zone include:
§ the Robert L. Bradshaw Airport, which lies unopen to the urban area;
§ a diversity of social infrastructure together with institutions including schools, hospitals together with churches;
§ important areas of urban opened upward spaces including park, square, playing fields;
§ cemeteries; and
§ major infrastructure installations, including the might station.
(b) Nevis
Like St. Kitts, the population is concentrated inward the capital, Charlestown. Most villages follow ribbon-style evolution along the isle principal road. There is to a greater extent than evidence of dispersed settlement patterns than inward St. Kitts, primarily due to the construction of large homes on large Earth plots generally yesteryear the expatriate community.
St. Kitts together with Nevis
Economy
St. Kitts together with Nevis was the concluding carbohydrate monoculture inward the Eastern Caribbean Area until the authorities decided to unopen the carbohydrate manufacture inward 2005, after decades of losses at the state-run carbohydrate company. To compensate for the loss of the carbohydrate industry, the Government of St. Kitts together with Nevis has begun exploring choice unloosen energy uses for carbohydrate cane. The US together with Brazil receive got agreed to develop biofuels programs inward the region.
Former carbohydrate plantations silent dominate the St. Kitts landscape, silent many of the cane fields are beingness burned to brand room for Earth development, especially on the northern side of the island, inward the parishes of Saint John Capisterre together with Christchurch. The agricultural, tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, together with offshore-banking sectors are beingness developed together with are at nowadays taking larger roles inward the country's economy.
The economic scheme of St. Kitts together with Nevis experienced strong growth for most of the 1990s, but hurricanes inward 1998 together with 1999 together with the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks wound the tourism-dependent economy. The growth of the tourism sector has go the principal unusual telephone substitution earner for Saint Kitts together with Nevis.
Economic growth picked upward inward 2004, with a existent gross domestic product growth charge per unit of measurement of 6.4%, followed yesteryear 4.1% growth inward 2005. The gross domestic product growth charge per unit of measurement rose to 5.8% inward 2006, generally every bit a outcome of diversification into tourism together with construction related to the Cricket World Cup. Tourism has shown the greatest growth together with is at nowadays a major unusual telephone substitution earner for St. Kitts together with Nevis, every bit evidenced yesteryear an 83% increment inward unusual direct investment inward a make of tourism-related projects. Recent important investment included a 648-room Marriott hotel together with convention middle that opened inward Dec 2002, every bit good every bit 2007 plans for "Christophe Harbor," a U.S. investor-funded $500 1 one one thousand thousand resort project. The authorities instituted a programme of investment incentives for businesses considering the possibility of locating inward St. Kitts or Nevis, encouraging domestic together with unusual private investment. Government policies render liberal revenue enhancement holidays, duty-free import of equipment together with materials, together with subsidies for preparation provided to local personnel.
However, the debt of populace enterprises has increased, together with total populace together with publicly guaranteed debt reached $290,740,000 inward 2006. Consumer prices receive got risen marginally over the yesteryear few years. The charge per unit of measurement of inflation, every bit measured yesteryear the alter inward the CPI, rose on average yesteryear 5.3% inward 2006, compared with 3.6% inward 2005 together with 2.3% inward 2004.
St. Kitts together with Nevis is a fellow member of the Eastern Caribbean Area Currency Union (ECCU). The Eastern Caribbean Area Central Bank (ECCB) issues the Eastern Caribbean Area dollar (EC$) for all members of the ECCU. The ECCB also manages monetary policy, together with regulates together with supervises commercial banking activities inward its fellow member countries. The ECCB has kept the EC$ pegged at EC$2.7 to U.S. $1.
Social Problems together with Control
The US together with other countries inward the Caribbean Area are concerned that the islands could come upward nether increasing describe per unit of measurement area from drug cartels. While at that topographic point is really piddling law-breaking against persons or property, inward the concluding x years at that topographic point receive got been increasing problems, especially on Saint Kitts, with drug smugglers who want to usage the islands for transshipment to the United States. Both Saint Kitts together with Nevis maintain little police describe forces that seldom ship arms. Saint Kitts also maintains a coastal sentry programme inward an endeavor to impede drug smuggling. If the islands go independent of 1 another, many observers fearfulness that their size would brand them vulnerable to exterior pressures for illegal activities.
Fatisha Anita Imo - Miss World Saint Kitts together with Nevis 2010
Gender Roles together with Statuses
Generally, sex roles owe far to a greater extent than to the designing of the colonial British together with therefore to that of West Africa, with 1 exception. While the manly individual status has to a greater extent than rights together with privileges than the female, especially inward the populace arena, women receive got important rights and, every bit they approach middle age, may fifty-fifty receive got authority. Some of the ameliorate known together with to a greater extent than successful entrepreneurs together with political figures are women.
During most of the flow earlier independence, the "respectable" designing was for men to go the breadwinners together with women to tend children at habitation together with trammel their social activities to the church building together with the marketplace. However, many families were matricentric, with the adult woman together with extended kin providing much of the cloth together with affective needs of children. With increased education, women receive got found novel ways to realize their potential together with gain populace respect.
Ladies of St. Kitts together with Nevis
Marriage, Family, together with Kinship
Marriage. Marriage is undertaken every bit both a social responsibleness together with a sign of adulthood. The reasons given for union emphasize love, though parents describe per unit of measurement area children, especially females, who are old plenty to get hitched with but are non involved inward socializing. Sexual experimentation is reluctantly accepted, together with that has resulted inward xx percent of the children on Saint Kitts/Nevis beingness born out of wedlock.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 newly married duo may reside with either set upward of parents at get-go but volition prefer to alive inward their ain domicile, though usually unopen to other relatives. With the high per centum of educated citizens living abroad, at that topographic point are an increasing number of mixed marriages. However, the kinship ties betwixt off-islanders together with residents hold to go strong.
Socialization
Child Rearing together with Education. Mothers are differentially involved inward kid care. Child rearing tends to go mild, with both males together with females kept unopen until boys get down to explore at nigh schoolhouse age. Both genders larn appropriate skills together with are taught to abide by their parents together with elders.
Education is valued, together with nearly all immature people consummate primary school. Most together with therefore attend secondary schoolhouse organization modeled on that of Great Britain, together with a number of the ameliorate students obtain scholarships to report inward the United States, Great Britain, or other Commonwealth countries.
School kids of St. Kitts together with Nevis
Politics of Saint Kitts together with Nevis
The politics of Saint Kitts together with Nevis takes identify inward the framework of a federal parliamentary democracy. Saint Kitts together with Nevis is an independent Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II every bit its caput of state, represented yesteryear a governor-general. He acts on the advice of the prime number minister, who is the bulk political party leader inward the National Assembly, together with who, with a cabinet, conducts affairs of state.
St Kitts together with Nevis has a unmarried National Assembly responsible for making laws, together with comprising fourteen or xv members depending upon circumstances. 11 of these are straight elected representatives whilst 3 are senators appointed yesteryear the governor-general (two on the advice of the prime number government minister together with the tertiary on the advice of the leader of the opposition). If the attorney full general isn't appointed every bit a senator together with therefore he automatically gets a topographic point every bit one, increasing the number of senators to four. Of the 11 elected members, viii stand upward for constituencies inward St Kitts together with the remaining 3 stand upward for Nevis seats.
The prime number government minister is appointed from the representatives yesteryear the governor-general, who has a constitutional duty to select someone who is probable to command the back upward of the bulk of the representatives. In practise this would commonly hateful the leader of the bulk political party or coalition. If at that topographic point is no suitable candidate, together with therefore the governor-general tin forcefulness out dissolve the assembly together with trigger a full general election. Other ministers are also appointed yesteryear the governor-general, on the advice of the prime number government minister (and therefore effectively yesteryear the prime number minister). The prime number government minister tin forcefulness out go removed from component division yesteryear the assembly, or yesteryear the governor-general if he feels that the prime number government minister no longer enjoys the back upward of the bulk of representatives. The assembly is elected every 5 years unless the governor-general dissolves it earlier the destination of this period, which he may produce on the advice of the prime number minister.
St Kitts together with Nevis has enjoyed a long history of costless together with fair elections, although the outcome of elections inward 1993 was strongly protested yesteryear the opposition together with the Regional Security System (RSS) was briefly deployed to restore order. The elections inward 1995 were contested yesteryear the ii major parties, the ruling People's Action Movement (PAM) together with the St Kitts together with Nevis Labour Party. Labour won 7 of the 11 seats, with Dr Denzil Douglas becoming prime number minister. In the March 2000 elections, Denzil Douglas together with the Labour Party were returned to power, winning viii of the 11 seats inward the House. The Nevis-based Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) won ii seats together with the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) won 1 seat. The PAM political party was unable to obtain a seat.
Under the constitution, Nevis has considerable autonomy together with has an isle assembly, a premier, together with a deputy governor-general. Under for sure specified conditions, it may secede from the federation. In accordance with its rights nether the Constitution, inward 1996 the Nevis Island Administration nether the Concerned Citizens' Movement (CCM) of Premier Vance Amory initiated steps towards secession from the Federation, the most recent beingness a plebiscite inward 1998 that failed to secure the required two-thirds bulk for secession. The March 2000 election results placed Vance Armory, every bit caput of the CCM, the leader of the country's opposition party. In the September 7, 2001 elections inward Nevis for the Nevis Island Administration, the CCM won iv of the 5 seats available, spell the NRP won one. In 2003, the Nevis Island Administration 1 time to a greater extent than proposed secession together with initiated formal constitutional procedures to grip a plebiscite on the issue, which was held inward early on 2004. While opposing secession, the Government acknowledged the constitutional rights of Nevisians to determine their futurity independence. Constitutional safeguards include liberty of speech, press, worship, movement, together with association. The most recent elections inward Nevis took identify on July 10, 2006. Amory's CCM was defeated yesteryear the NRP of Joseph Parry, winning solely ii out of the 5 elective seats. Parry was sworn inward every bit the tertiary Premier of Nevis a 24-hour interval later.
Like its neighbours inward the English-speaking Caribbean, St Kitts together with Nevis has an first-class human rights record. Its judicial organization is modelled on British practise together with physical care for together with its jurisprudence on English linguistic communication mutual law. The Royal St Kitts together with Nevis Police Force has nigh 370 members.
As caput of state, Queen Elizabeth II is represented yesteryear a governor-general who acts on the advice of the prime number minister. Following legislative elections, the leader of the bulk political party or leader of a bulk coalition is usually appointed prime number government minister yesteryear the governor-general. All other ministerial appointments, including that of deputy prime number minister, are made yesteryear the governor-general, but acting upon the advice of the prime number minister.
The National Assembly of Saint Kitts together with Nevis consists of 1 solid with 11 elected members, together with 3 appointed Senators—two on the advice of the Prime Minister, 1 on the advice of the Opposition Leader. If the Attorney General is non appointed every bit a Senator, he sits inward the Assembly every bit an ex officio member. Despite the departure inward titles, Senators produce non cast a separate house.
Eastern Caribbean Area Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia); 1 justice of the Supreme Court resides inward Saint Kitts.
The province is divided inward fourteen parishes: Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capisterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point.
Religion
Some 95 percent of islanders are Protestants, principally Anglican together with Methodist, though at that topographic point are a number of smaller Protestant sects. Religion remains a really of import establishment inward the guild together with culture. It is a major vehicle for maintaining community solidarity together with providing guidelines to together with reinforcing the importance of respectable behavior.
While virtually all islanders identity themselves every bit Christians, many older together with some younger islanders believe inward obeah , a cast of witchcraft inward which an private tin forcefulness out go supernaturally harmed yesteryear some other individual for reasons ranging from a perceived incorrect to uncomplicated envy.
Culture of St. Kitts together with Nevis
The civilisation of St. Kitts together with Nevis, ii little Caribbean Area islands forming 1 country, has grown mainly out of the West African traditions of the slave population brought inward during the colonial period. French Republic together with British colonists both settled the islands, together with for a flow of fourth dimension the British imported indentured Irish Gaelic servants.
St Kitts together with Nevis ladies inward their African wear
The native Caribs, skilled warriors, defended their lands yesteryear attacking the colonies. But yesteryear 1782, the British had gained command of St. Kitts together with Nevis, which they retained until granting the islands their independence inward 1983. British influence remains inward the country's official language, English, spell some islanders verbalize an English-based Creole. The influence of the French, Irish, together with Caribs seems less pronounced.
The people of St. Kitts together with Nevis are devoutly religious. Several historic Anglican churches stay on Nevis, together with l percent of the country's population silent practices the religion. Most other people belong to some other Christian denomination, though at that topographic point are some Rastafarians together with Bahá'í followers. An old Jewish cemetery on Nevis proves that at that topographic point was 1 time a Jewish population every bit well, but currently at that topographic point is no active Jewish community inward the country.
Festivities
As inward other Caribbean Area nations, the civilisation on St. Kitts together with Nevis is festive together with vibrant. Carnivals together with celebrations play an of import purpose inward isle life. At Christmas time, Carnival is inward total swing on St. Kitts. The opening gala takes identify inward mid-December, with events going on until a few days after New Year's. Among these events, crowd favorites include the Miss Caribbean Area Talented Teen Pageant, the Junior Calypso Show, together with the National Carnival Queen Pageant. Of course, at that topographic point are also plenty of parades total of people wearing colorful, spangled costumes.
Coastal Ecosystems (a) St. Kitts
The coastal together with marine ecosystems inward St. Kitts include coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves, tabular array salt ponds, various aquatic life together with the coastline. As an isle territory, St. Kitts has a delicate 78.1 km long coastline consisting of 34.7 km cliff (rocks), 10.8 km cobble, 6.3 km boulders together with rocks, 13.1 km dark volcanic sand, together with 13.2 km golden sand.
Both coral reef together with sea grass communities contribute to the next environmental processes:
§ Provide habitat for commercially of import fish species for illustration spiny lobster together with queen conch depend upon both habitats at for sure periods inward their life cycles.
§ Produce nutrients that are of import inward sustaining the life of fish species together with other organisms. The reefs also human activity every bit barriers during periods of heavy moving ridge attack, together with are of import contributors to white sands.
Mangroves are non abundant. The principal together with most extensive mangrove habitat inward St. Kitts make off inward the SEP. Hawksbill together with light-green sea turtles are found around the entire coast. In addition, at that topographic point is a large number of resident together with migratory birds that depend on the mangrove together with pond communities for feeding together with nesting.
(b) Nevis
Shoreline features of Nevis include sandy beaches, fresh H2O lagoons, rocky shores together with massive sea cliffs. The most prominent sandy beach is a 4 km department of the coastline that stretches N from Charlestown to Cades Bay, called Pinneys Beach. It is composed of both coral fragments together with terrestrial soils that give it a yellowish appearance together with is typical of a number of beaches found along the leeward coast of the island.
Another characteristic associated with the leeward coastline of Nevis is its organization of freshwater lagoons. These may go the outcome of either mount ghaut run-off, every bit is the illustration for the Pinneys Estate lagoons, or clandestine springs every bit evidenced at Nelson Springs inward Cotton Ground.
Nevis
Rocky shores are oft associated with an impressive array of marine life from algae together with snails to juvenile fishes of all description. Sea cliffs are found where strong moving ridge unloosen energy undercuts rocky ledges together with erodes soil from agglomerate together with unconsolidated rock. These rugged habitats tin forcefulness out go found on the southern together with eastern coasts of Nevis.
Three coastal habitats -- freshwater lagoons, coral reefs, together with seagrass beds -- are of critical importance to the nearshore tropical marine ecosystems of Nevis. There are many direct together with indirect links betwixt the productivity of these habitats together with the wellness of inshore fisheries.
Climate
The climate of the Federation of St. Kitts together with Nevis is classified every bit tropical marine. Generally, it is influenced yesteryear steady northeast merchandise winds together with tropical oceanic together with cyclonic movements.
Humidity
The relative humidity is fairly high all yr circular - some 75% - 80%. It is usually depression inward the dry out flavor together with high inward the moisture season. The hateful value is 76%, but it ranges from 70% inward March, to 78% inward September, Oct together with November.
Rainfall
Rainfall is mainly cyclonic together with orographic together with increases inward amount together with frequency with altitude. Mean annual rainfall ranges from nigh 890 – 1000 mm (35 - twoscore inches) inward the coastal areas, to nigh 2500 – 3800 mm (100 - 150 inches) inward the fundamental mount ranges. The rainfall is unevenly distributed betwixt years together with betwixt months, but at that topographic point is a reliable moisture flow from August to September together with a dry out flow from Jan - April.
Temperature
Temperatures average some 270 Celsius. Seasonal together with diurnal variations inward temperature are small.
Hurricanes together with Other Natural Hazards
(a) Hurricanes
The Federation is peculiarly vulnerable to impairment from tropical storms. Since 1989, viii storms receive got affected the province - Hugo, Felix, Gilbert, Iris, Luis, Marilyn, Bertha together with Georges. Damage from Hurricane Hugo (1989) has been estimated at E.C. $117 1 one one thousand thousand (US$43 M), from Hurricane Luis together with Marilyn (1995) at E.C. $149 1 one one thousand thousand (US$55M), together with from Hurricane Georges (1998) at E.C. $200 1 one one thousand thousand (US$74M).
These costs underestimate the actual magnitude of the economical impacts, every bit they produce non concern human relationship for private expenditures, every bit when private insurance claims are paid, or restoration together with repairs are done with insurance. Nor produce they concern human relationship for repairs that are non done, every bit when buildings are left abandoned together with derelict. They also produce non concern human relationship for the revenues lost to business, or lost tourist dollars, together with they produce non reverberate the costs inward human suffering together with grief that accompany major storms.
(b) Earthquakes
Earthquakes inward the Federation are derived straight from the tectonic interaction of the Caribbean Area together with Atlantic Plates, together with indirectly from volcanic activity also associated with these tectonic plates. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 secondary concern is that of earthquake (and volcanic) driven tsunamis (“tidal waves”), which could drive considerable impairment together with loss of life inward depression lying, densely populated coastal areas.
(c) Volcanic Activity
There is no historic tape of major volcanic eruption with attendant loss of belongings together with life. Nevertheless, the islands are geologically young, together with experience little activity at their Mt. Liamuiga together with Nevis Peak outlets.
Mount Liamuiga, St. Kitts
The Origin of The Name St Kitts together with Nevis
Saint Kitts was named "Liamuiga" yesteryear the Kalinago Indians who inhabited the island. This name, roughly translated, inward English linguistic communication agency "fertile land," a testimony to the island's rich volcanic soil together with high productivity.
Nevis's pre-Columbian cite was "Oualie," which translates to "land of beautiful waters," presumably referring to the island's many freshwater springs together with hot volcanic springs.
Christopher Columbus, upon sighting what nosotros at nowadays telephone telephone Nevis inward 1493, gave that isle the cite San Martin (Saint Martin). However, the confusion of numerous, poorly charted little islands inward the Leeward Island chain, meant that the cite ended upward beingness accidentally transferred to some other island, the 1 which nosotros at nowadays know every bit the French/Dutch isle Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten.
The electrical flow cite "Nevis" is derived from a Castilian cite Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (The master copy cite was the archaic Castilian "Noestra Siñora delas Neves"), yesteryear a physical care for of abbreviation together with anglicisation. This Castilian cite agency Our Lady of the Snows. It is non known who chose this cite for the island, but it is a reference to the story of a fourth-century Catholic miracle: a snowfall on the Esquiline Hill inward Rome. Presumably the white clouds which usually wreathe the top of Nevis Peak reminded someone of the story of a miraculous snowfall inward a hot climate. The isle of Nevis, upon get-go British settlement, was referred to every bit "Dulcina," a cite important "sweet one." Its master copy Castilian name, "Nuestra Señora de las Nieves," was eventually kept however, though it was before long shortened to "Nevis."
There is some disagreement over the cite which Columbus gave to St. Kitts. For many years it was idea that he named the isle San Cristobal, after his patron saint Saint Christopher, the saint of travelling. However, novel studies suggest that Columbus named the isle Sant Yago (Saint James). The cite "San Cristobal" was plainly given yesteryear Columbus to the isle at nowadays known every bit Saba, xx miles northwest. It seems that "San Cristobal" came to go applied to the isle of St. Kitts solely every bit the outcome of a mapping error.
No thing the root of the name, the isle was good documented every bit "San Cristobal" yesteryear the 17th century. The get-go English linguistic communication colonists kept the English linguistic communication translation of this name, together with dubbed it "St. Christopher's Island." In the 17th century Kit, or Kitt, was a mutual nickname for the cite Christopher, together with therefore the isle was oft informally referred to every bit "Saint Kitt's island," which was farther shortened to "Saint Kitts."
Today, the Constitution refers to the province every bit both "Saint Kitts together with Nevis" together with "Saint Christopher together with Nevis," but the one-time is the 1 most commonly used.
Language
All the inhabitants verbalize English, together with all the Afro-Caribbean residents receive got access to a local dialect based partly on English linguistic communication together with partly on several West African languages. English linguistic communication is the linguistic communication of business, religion, together with tourism together with is the medium of instruction inward schools. The local dialect, referred to every bit Kittitian on Saint Kitts together with Nevisian on Nevis, is used inward the family, at social gatherings, together with with men socializing together. It also is employed yesteryear Nevisians to communicate with 1 some other without beingness understood yesteryear tourists.
History
Five one one thousand years prior to European arrival, the isle was settled yesteryear Native Americans. The concluding moving ridge of Native American arrivals, the Kalinago people, arrived some 3 centuries earlier the Europeans. The islands were discovered yesteryear the Europeans through a Castilian expedition nether Columbus inward 1493. In 1538, French Huguenots established a settlement on St. Kitts but the settlement was destroyed yesteryear the Castilian before long afterwards together with the survivors were deported. In 1623, an English linguistic communication settlement was established, which was before long followed yesteryear French settlements, the isle beingness divided yesteryear agreement. Dissimilar to many other islands, the local Kalinago people on the isle allowed Europeans to colonise Saint Kitts. In 1626, the Anglo-French settlers massacred the Kalinago, pre-empting a programme yesteryear the Kalinago to drive the foreigners from the island.
Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh flanked yesteryear (l-r) Nevis Premier Hon. Vance Amory, Federations First Governor-General Sir Clement Arrindell, Lady Arrindell, Lady Simmonds together with get-go Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Sir Kennedy Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Simmonds.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Castilian expedition, sent to enforce Castilian claims, destroyed the English linguistic communication together with French colonies together with deported the settlers dorsum to their respective countries inward 1629. As component division of the state of war settlement inward 1630, the Castilian permitted the re-establishment of the English linguistic communication together with French colonies.
As Castilian might went into decline, Saint Kitts became the premier base of operations for English linguistic communication together with French expansion into the Caribbean, every bit the islands of Antigua, Montserrat, Anguilla together with Tortola for the English, together with Martinique, the Guadeloupe archipelago together with St. Barts for the French were colonised from it. During the belatedly 17th century, French Republic together with England battled for command over St Kitts. It was ceded to U.K. inward 1713.
Although little inward size, together with separated yesteryear solely 2 miles (3 km) of water, the ii islands were viewed together with governed every bit dissimilar states until the belatedly 19th century, when they were forcibly unified along with the isle of Anguilla yesteryear the British. To this 24-hour interval relations are strained, with Nevis accusing Saint Kitts of neglecting its needs.
St Kitta together with Nevis people celebrating Emancipation Day
The British generally imported slaves from West Africa to operate inward the sugarcane plantation every bit good every bit other human labour. Slaves were imported from West African coast, generally Ghana, Bight of Biafra (Nigeria), Dahomey together with others. Out of African imported to Caribbean Area Islands of St Kitts together with Nevis, bulk were Akans (mostly Fantes) from Ghana, followed yesteryear Yoruba, Igbo together with Fons. In fact, the demands for slave labour inward St Kitts together with Nevis was inward high demand that yesteryear 1700, Nevis had 8000 African slaves, outnumbering the whites 5 to one.
Saint Kitts together with Nevis, along with Anguilla, became an associated province with total internal autonomy inward 1967. Anguillians rebelled, together with separated from the others inward 1971. St. Kitts together with Nevis achieved independence inward 1983. It is the newest sovereign province inward the Americas. In August 1998, a vote inward Nevis on a plebiscite to separate from St. Kitts roughshod curt of the two-thirds bulk needed. In belatedly September 1998, Hurricane Georges caused some $458,000,000 inward damages together with belongings together with express gross domestic product growth for the yr together with beyond. Georges was the worst hurricane to hitting the portion inward the century.
St Kitts together with Nevis girl
Human Settlements
(a) St. Kitts
The settlement designing inward St. Kitts consists of a serial of little villages along the isle principal road, which passes really unopen to the coastline. There is a concentration inward the Basseterre upper-case alphabetic quality region, where nigh 40% of the population resides. There is a full general preference for living close the coastline, primarily because most of the upland interior Earth is really rugged together with steep with some sections beingness nether the woods reserve together with the remaining areas are intensely cultivated with carbohydrate cane.
The rural landscape is dominated yesteryear carbohydrate cane plantations, with settlements interspersed inward between. The increasing demand for agricultural Earth has, inward recent decades, resulted inward many little farmers clearing forested Earth inward the upper slopes for farming. Such encroachment results inward deforestation, soil erosion, together with pollution of flow rivers together with coastal waters.
The rural areas are characterized yesteryear ribbon developments, none of which tin forcefulness out go said to receive got occurred every bit component division of a planned physical evolution strategy, although at that topographic point are a handful of locations where planned developments receive got been implemented.
The major urban areas are Basseterre - the upper-case alphabetic quality city, Sandy Point together with Cayon. The drift from rural to urban areas over the yesteryear ii decades has led to Basseterre becoming overcrowded. Sandy Point together with Cayon are also experiencing expansion related problemsThe metropolis centre is, for the most part, good planned, beingness set out on a grid-iron pattern. Near to the metropolis centre, at that topographic point are some other areas of well-planned low-to medium-density suburbs (Shadwell, Wades Garden, Ponds Pasture together with Fortlands). Interspersed amongst
these, are a few areas of high density residential developments.
Aerial View of the Basseterre Valley, St.Kitts.
In recent years, the metropolis centre has go increasingly congested together with its infrastructure is approaching saturation levels. There is range silent to expand outwards, with the availability of 10 hectares (25 acres) of Earth newly reclaimed from the sea together with the construction of a novel sea port (Port Zante) inward the unopen vicinity.
In the concluding 10 years, Basseterre has experienced important growth of dormitory suburbs at Mattingley, Bird Rock together with Earl Morne. In addition, it is also experiencing commercial together with industrial expansion on the margins of the town. The traditional suburbs of the capital, Mc Knight, Irish Gaelic Town together with Newtown, where the cracking bulk of the city’s population live, are for the most component division poorly planned together with introduce formidable challenges inward terms of adequate housing, services together with infrastructure provision. Urban renewal programmes look to go necessary inward these areas.
http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis.html
St Kitts together with Nevis Sprint Sensation Tameka Williams
St. John's Anglican Church inward Belle Vue, St. Kitts
The islands of Saint Kitts together with Nevis are ii of the Caribbean's oldest colonized territories together with the upper-case alphabetic quality metropolis together with headquarters of authorities for the federated province is Basseterre on the larger isle of Saint Kitts. The smaller isle of Nevis lies nigh 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Saint Kitts, across a shallow channel called "The Narrows".
Coastal Ecosystems (a) St. Kitts
The coastal together with marine ecosystems inward St. Kitts include coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves, tabular array salt ponds, various aquatic life together with the coastline. As an isle territory, St. Kitts has a delicate 78.1 km long coastline consisting of 34.7 km cliff (rocks), 10.8 km cobble, 6.3 km boulders together with rocks, 13.1 km dark volcanic sand, together with 13.2 km golden sand.
Both coral reef together with sea grass communities contribute to the next environmental processes:
§ Provide habitat for commercially of import fish species for illustration spiny lobster together with queen conch depend upon both habitats at for sure periods inward their life cycles.
§ Produce nutrients that are of import inward sustaining the life of fish species together with other organisms. The reefs also human activity every bit barriers during periods of heavy moving ridge attack, together with are of import contributors to white sands.
Mangroves are non abundant. The principal together with most extensive mangrove habitat inward St. Kitts make off inward the SEP. Hawksbill together with light-green sea turtles are found around the entire coast. In addition, at that topographic point is a large number of resident together with migratory birds that depend on the mangrove together with pond communities for feeding together with nesting.
(b) Nevis
Shoreline features of Nevis include sandy beaches, fresh H2O lagoons, rocky shores together with massive sea cliffs. The most prominent sandy beach is a 4 km department of the coastline that stretches N from Charlestown to Cades Bay, called Pinneys Beach. It is composed of both coral fragments together with terrestrial soils that give it a yellowish appearance together with is typical of a number of beaches found along the leeward coast of the island.
Another characteristic associated with the leeward coastline of Nevis is its organization of freshwater lagoons. These may go the outcome of either mount ghaut run-off, every bit is the illustration for the Pinneys Estate lagoons, or clandestine springs every bit evidenced at Nelson Springs inward Cotton Ground.
Nevis
Rocky shores are oft associated with an impressive array of marine life from algae together with snails to juvenile fishes of all description. Sea cliffs are found where strong moving ridge unloosen energy undercuts rocky ledges together with erodes soil from agglomerate together with unconsolidated rock. These rugged habitats tin forcefulness out go found on the southern together with eastern coasts of Nevis.
Three coastal habitats -- freshwater lagoons, coral reefs, together with seagrass beds -- are of critical importance to the nearshore tropical marine ecosystems of Nevis. There are many direct together with indirect links betwixt the productivity of these habitats together with the wellness of inshore fisheries.
Climate
The climate of the Federation of St. Kitts together with Nevis is classified every bit tropical marine. Generally, it is influenced yesteryear steady northeast merchandise winds together with tropical oceanic together with cyclonic movements.
Humidity
The relative humidity is fairly high all yr circular - some 75% - 80%. It is usually depression inward the dry out flavor together with high inward the moisture season. The hateful value is 76%, but it ranges from 70% inward March, to 78% inward September, Oct together with November.
Rainfall
Rainfall is mainly cyclonic together with orographic together with increases inward amount together with frequency with altitude. Mean annual rainfall ranges from nigh 890 – 1000 mm (35 - twoscore inches) inward the coastal areas, to nigh 2500 – 3800 mm (100 - 150 inches) inward the fundamental mount ranges. The rainfall is unevenly distributed betwixt years together with betwixt months, but at that topographic point is a reliable moisture flow from August to September together with a dry out flow from Jan - April.
Temperature
Temperatures average some 270 Celsius. Seasonal together with diurnal variations inward temperature are small.
Hurricanes together with Other Natural Hazards
(a) Hurricanes
The Federation is peculiarly vulnerable to impairment from tropical storms. Since 1989, viii storms receive got affected the province - Hugo, Felix, Gilbert, Iris, Luis, Marilyn, Bertha together with Georges. Damage from Hurricane Hugo (1989) has been estimated at E.C. $117 1 one one thousand thousand (US$43 M), from Hurricane Luis together with Marilyn (1995) at E.C. $149 1 one one thousand thousand (US$55M), together with from Hurricane Georges (1998) at E.C. $200 1 one one thousand thousand (US$74M).
These costs underestimate the actual magnitude of the economical impacts, every bit they produce non concern human relationship for private expenditures, every bit when private insurance claims are paid, or restoration together with repairs are done with insurance. Nor produce they concern human relationship for repairs that are non done, every bit when buildings are left abandoned together with derelict. They also produce non concern human relationship for the revenues lost to business, or lost tourist dollars, together with they produce non reverberate the costs inward human suffering together with grief that accompany major storms.
(b) Earthquakes
Earthquakes inward the Federation are derived straight from the tectonic interaction of the Caribbean Area together with Atlantic Plates, together with indirectly from volcanic activity also associated with these tectonic plates. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 secondary concern is that of earthquake (and volcanic) driven tsunamis (“tidal waves”), which could drive considerable impairment together with loss of life inward depression lying, densely populated coastal areas.
(c) Volcanic Activity
There is no historic tape of major volcanic eruption with attendant loss of belongings together with life. Nevertheless, the islands are geologically young, together with experience little activity at their Mt. Liamuiga together with Nevis Peak outlets.
Mount Liamuiga, St. Kitts
The Origin of The Name St Kitts together with Nevis
Saint Kitts was named "Liamuiga" yesteryear the Kalinago Indians who inhabited the island. This name, roughly translated, inward English linguistic communication agency "fertile land," a testimony to the island's rich volcanic soil together with high productivity.
Nevis's pre-Columbian cite was "Oualie," which translates to "land of beautiful waters," presumably referring to the island's many freshwater springs together with hot volcanic springs.
Christopher Columbus, upon sighting what nosotros at nowadays telephone telephone Nevis inward 1493, gave that isle the cite San Martin (Saint Martin). However, the confusion of numerous, poorly charted little islands inward the Leeward Island chain, meant that the cite ended upward beingness accidentally transferred to some other island, the 1 which nosotros at nowadays know every bit the French/Dutch isle Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten.
The electrical flow cite "Nevis" is derived from a Castilian cite Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (The master copy cite was the archaic Castilian "Noestra Siñora delas Neves"), yesteryear a physical care for of abbreviation together with anglicisation. This Castilian cite agency Our Lady of the Snows. It is non known who chose this cite for the island, but it is a reference to the story of a fourth-century Catholic miracle: a snowfall on the Esquiline Hill inward Rome. Presumably the white clouds which usually wreathe the top of Nevis Peak reminded someone of the story of a miraculous snowfall inward a hot climate. The isle of Nevis, upon get-go British settlement, was referred to every bit "Dulcina," a cite important "sweet one." Its master copy Castilian name, "Nuestra Señora de las Nieves," was eventually kept however, though it was before long shortened to "Nevis."
There is some disagreement over the cite which Columbus gave to St. Kitts. For many years it was idea that he named the isle San Cristobal, after his patron saint Saint Christopher, the saint of travelling. However, novel studies suggest that Columbus named the isle Sant Yago (Saint James). The cite "San Cristobal" was plainly given yesteryear Columbus to the isle at nowadays known every bit Saba, xx miles northwest. It seems that "San Cristobal" came to go applied to the isle of St. Kitts solely every bit the outcome of a mapping error.
No thing the root of the name, the isle was good documented every bit "San Cristobal" yesteryear the 17th century. The get-go English linguistic communication colonists kept the English linguistic communication translation of this name, together with dubbed it "St. Christopher's Island." In the 17th century Kit, or Kitt, was a mutual nickname for the cite Christopher, together with therefore the isle was oft informally referred to every bit "Saint Kitt's island," which was farther shortened to "Saint Kitts."
Today, the Constitution refers to the province every bit both "Saint Kitts together with Nevis" together with "Saint Christopher together with Nevis," but the one-time is the 1 most commonly used.
Language
All the inhabitants verbalize English, together with all the Afro-Caribbean residents receive got access to a local dialect based partly on English linguistic communication together with partly on several West African languages. English linguistic communication is the linguistic communication of business, religion, together with tourism together with is the medium of instruction inward schools. The local dialect, referred to every bit Kittitian on Saint Kitts together with Nevisian on Nevis, is used inward the family, at social gatherings, together with with men socializing together. It also is employed yesteryear Nevisians to communicate with 1 some other without beingness understood yesteryear tourists.
History
Five one one thousand years prior to European arrival, the isle was settled yesteryear Native Americans. The concluding moving ridge of Native American arrivals, the Kalinago people, arrived some 3 centuries earlier the Europeans. The islands were discovered yesteryear the Europeans through a Castilian expedition nether Columbus inward 1493. In 1538, French Huguenots established a settlement on St. Kitts but the settlement was destroyed yesteryear the Castilian before long afterwards together with the survivors were deported. In 1623, an English linguistic communication settlement was established, which was before long followed yesteryear French settlements, the isle beingness divided yesteryear agreement. Dissimilar to many other islands, the local Kalinago people on the isle allowed Europeans to colonise Saint Kitts. In 1626, the Anglo-French settlers massacred the Kalinago, pre-empting a programme yesteryear the Kalinago to drive the foreigners from the island.
Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh flanked yesteryear (l-r) Nevis Premier Hon. Vance Amory, Federations First Governor-General Sir Clement Arrindell, Lady Arrindell, Lady Simmonds together with get-go Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Sir Kennedy Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Simmonds.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Castilian expedition, sent to enforce Castilian claims, destroyed the English linguistic communication together with French colonies together with deported the settlers dorsum to their respective countries inward 1629. As component division of the state of war settlement inward 1630, the Castilian permitted the re-establishment of the English linguistic communication together with French colonies.
As Castilian might went into decline, Saint Kitts became the premier base of operations for English linguistic communication together with French expansion into the Caribbean, every bit the islands of Antigua, Montserrat, Anguilla together with Tortola for the English, together with Martinique, the Guadeloupe archipelago together with St. Barts for the French were colonised from it. During the belatedly 17th century, French Republic together with England battled for command over St Kitts. It was ceded to U.K. inward 1713.
Although little inward size, together with separated yesteryear solely 2 miles (3 km) of water, the ii islands were viewed together with governed every bit dissimilar states until the belatedly 19th century, when they were forcibly unified along with the isle of Anguilla yesteryear the British. To this 24-hour interval relations are strained, with Nevis accusing Saint Kitts of neglecting its needs.
St Kitta together with Nevis people celebrating Emancipation Day
The British generally imported slaves from West Africa to operate inward the sugarcane plantation every bit good every bit other human labour. Slaves were imported from West African coast, generally Ghana, Bight of Biafra (Nigeria), Dahomey together with others. Out of African imported to Caribbean Area Islands of St Kitts together with Nevis, bulk were Akans (mostly Fantes) from Ghana, followed yesteryear Yoruba, Igbo together with Fons. In fact, the demands for slave labour inward St Kitts together with Nevis was inward high demand that yesteryear 1700, Nevis had 8000 African slaves, outnumbering the whites 5 to one.
Saint Kitts together with Nevis, along with Anguilla, became an associated province with total internal autonomy inward 1967. Anguillians rebelled, together with separated from the others inward 1971. St. Kitts together with Nevis achieved independence inward 1983. It is the newest sovereign province inward the Americas. In August 1998, a vote inward Nevis on a plebiscite to separate from St. Kitts roughshod curt of the two-thirds bulk needed. In belatedly September 1998, Hurricane Georges caused some $458,000,000 inward damages together with belongings together with express gross domestic product growth for the yr together with beyond. Georges was the worst hurricane to hitting the portion inward the century.
St Kitts together with Nevis girl
Human Settlements
(a) St. Kitts
The settlement designing inward St. Kitts consists of a serial of little villages along the isle principal road, which passes really unopen to the coastline. There is a concentration inward the Basseterre upper-case alphabetic quality region, where nigh 40% of the population resides. There is a full general preference for living close the coastline, primarily because most of the upland interior Earth is really rugged together with steep with some sections beingness nether the woods reserve together with the remaining areas are intensely cultivated with carbohydrate cane.
The rural landscape is dominated yesteryear carbohydrate cane plantations, with settlements interspersed inward between. The increasing demand for agricultural Earth has, inward recent decades, resulted inward many little farmers clearing forested Earth inward the upper slopes for farming. Such encroachment results inward deforestation, soil erosion, together with pollution of flow rivers together with coastal waters.
The rural areas are characterized yesteryear ribbon developments, none of which tin forcefulness out go said to receive got occurred every bit component division of a planned physical evolution strategy, although at that topographic point are a handful of locations where planned developments receive got been implemented.
The major urban areas are Basseterre - the upper-case alphabetic quality city, Sandy Point together with Cayon. The drift from rural to urban areas over the yesteryear ii decades has led to Basseterre becoming overcrowded. Sandy Point together with Cayon are also experiencing expansion related problemsThe metropolis centre is, for the most part, good planned, beingness set out on a grid-iron pattern. Near to the metropolis centre, at that topographic point are some other areas of well-planned low-to medium-density suburbs (Shadwell, Wades Garden, Ponds Pasture together with Fortlands). Interspersed amongst
these, are a few areas of high density residential developments.
Aerial View of the Basseterre Valley, St.Kitts.
In recent years, the metropolis centre has go increasingly congested together with its infrastructure is approaching saturation levels. There is range silent to expand outwards, with the availability of 10 hectares (25 acres) of Earth newly reclaimed from the sea together with the construction of a novel sea port (Port Zante) inward the unopen vicinity.
In the concluding 10 years, Basseterre has experienced important growth of dormitory suburbs at Mattingley, Bird Rock together with Earl Morne. In addition, it is also experiencing commercial together with industrial expansion on the margins of the town. The traditional suburbs of the capital, Mc Knight, Irish Gaelic Town together with Newtown, where the cracking bulk of the city’s population live, are for the most component division poorly planned together with introduce formidable challenges inward terms of adequate housing, services together with infrastructure provision. Urban renewal programmes look to go necessary inward these areas.
Brimstone Hill Fortress - St. Kitts
Other major Earth uses inward the urban zone include:
§ the Robert L. Bradshaw Airport, which lies unopen to the urban area;
§ a diversity of social infrastructure together with institutions including schools, hospitals together with churches;
§ important areas of urban opened upward spaces including park, square, playing fields;
§ cemeteries; and
§ major infrastructure installations, including the might station.
(b) Nevis
Like St. Kitts, the population is concentrated inward the capital, Charlestown. Most villages follow ribbon-style evolution along the isle principal road. There is to a greater extent than evidence of dispersed settlement patterns than inward St. Kitts, primarily due to the construction of large homes on large Earth plots generally yesteryear the expatriate community.
St. Kitts together with Nevis
Economy
St. Kitts together with Nevis was the concluding carbohydrate monoculture inward the Eastern Caribbean Area until the authorities decided to unopen the carbohydrate manufacture inward 2005, after decades of losses at the state-run carbohydrate company. To compensate for the loss of the carbohydrate industry, the Government of St. Kitts together with Nevis has begun exploring choice unloosen energy uses for carbohydrate cane. The US together with Brazil receive got agreed to develop biofuels programs inward the region.
Former carbohydrate plantations silent dominate the St. Kitts landscape, silent many of the cane fields are beingness burned to brand room for Earth development, especially on the northern side of the island, inward the parishes of Saint John Capisterre together with Christchurch. The agricultural, tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, together with offshore-banking sectors are beingness developed together with are at nowadays taking larger roles inward the country's economy.
The economic scheme of St. Kitts together with Nevis experienced strong growth for most of the 1990s, but hurricanes inward 1998 together with 1999 together with the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks wound the tourism-dependent economy. The growth of the tourism sector has go the principal unusual telephone substitution earner for Saint Kitts together with Nevis.
Economic growth picked upward inward 2004, with a existent gross domestic product growth charge per unit of measurement of 6.4%, followed yesteryear 4.1% growth inward 2005. The gross domestic product growth charge per unit of measurement rose to 5.8% inward 2006, generally every bit a outcome of diversification into tourism together with construction related to the Cricket World Cup. Tourism has shown the greatest growth together with is at nowadays a major unusual telephone substitution earner for St. Kitts together with Nevis, every bit evidenced yesteryear an 83% increment inward unusual direct investment inward a make of tourism-related projects. Recent important investment included a 648-room Marriott hotel together with convention middle that opened inward Dec 2002, every bit good every bit 2007 plans for "Christophe Harbor," a U.S. investor-funded $500 1 one one thousand thousand resort project. The authorities instituted a programme of investment incentives for businesses considering the possibility of locating inward St. Kitts or Nevis, encouraging domestic together with unusual private investment. Government policies render liberal revenue enhancement holidays, duty-free import of equipment together with materials, together with subsidies for preparation provided to local personnel.
However, the debt of populace enterprises has increased, together with total populace together with publicly guaranteed debt reached $290,740,000 inward 2006. Consumer prices receive got risen marginally over the yesteryear few years. The charge per unit of measurement of inflation, every bit measured yesteryear the alter inward the CPI, rose on average yesteryear 5.3% inward 2006, compared with 3.6% inward 2005 together with 2.3% inward 2004.
St. Kitts together with Nevis is a fellow member of the Eastern Caribbean Area Currency Union (ECCU). The Eastern Caribbean Area Central Bank (ECCB) issues the Eastern Caribbean Area dollar (EC$) for all members of the ECCU. The ECCB also manages monetary policy, together with regulates together with supervises commercial banking activities inward its fellow member countries. The ECCB has kept the EC$ pegged at EC$2.7 to U.S. $1.
Social Problems together with Control
The US together with other countries inward the Caribbean Area are concerned that the islands could come upward nether increasing describe per unit of measurement area from drug cartels. While at that topographic point is really piddling law-breaking against persons or property, inward the concluding x years at that topographic point receive got been increasing problems, especially on Saint Kitts, with drug smugglers who want to usage the islands for transshipment to the United States. Both Saint Kitts together with Nevis maintain little police describe forces that seldom ship arms. Saint Kitts also maintains a coastal sentry programme inward an endeavor to impede drug smuggling. If the islands go independent of 1 another, many observers fearfulness that their size would brand them vulnerable to exterior pressures for illegal activities.
Fatisha Anita Imo - Miss World Saint Kitts together with Nevis 2010
Gender Roles together with Statuses
Generally, sex roles owe far to a greater extent than to the designing of the colonial British together with therefore to that of West Africa, with 1 exception. While the manly individual status has to a greater extent than rights together with privileges than the female, especially inward the populace arena, women receive got important rights and, every bit they approach middle age, may fifty-fifty receive got authority. Some of the ameliorate known together with to a greater extent than successful entrepreneurs together with political figures are women.
During most of the flow earlier independence, the "respectable" designing was for men to go the breadwinners together with women to tend children at habitation together with trammel their social activities to the church building together with the marketplace. However, many families were matricentric, with the adult woman together with extended kin providing much of the cloth together with affective needs of children. With increased education, women receive got found novel ways to realize their potential together with gain populace respect.
Ladies of St. Kitts together with Nevis
Marriage, Family, together with Kinship
Marriage. Marriage is undertaken every bit both a social responsibleness together with a sign of adulthood. The reasons given for union emphasize love, though parents describe per unit of measurement area children, especially females, who are old plenty to get hitched with but are non involved inward socializing. Sexual experimentation is reluctantly accepted, together with that has resulted inward xx percent of the children on Saint Kitts/Nevis beingness born out of wedlock.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 newly married duo may reside with either set upward of parents at get-go but volition prefer to alive inward their ain domicile, though usually unopen to other relatives. With the high per centum of educated citizens living abroad, at that topographic point are an increasing number of mixed marriages. However, the kinship ties betwixt off-islanders together with residents hold to go strong.
Socialization
Child Rearing together with Education. Mothers are differentially involved inward kid care. Child rearing tends to go mild, with both males together with females kept unopen until boys get down to explore at nigh schoolhouse age. Both genders larn appropriate skills together with are taught to abide by their parents together with elders.
Education is valued, together with nearly all immature people consummate primary school. Most together with therefore attend secondary schoolhouse organization modeled on that of Great Britain, together with a number of the ameliorate students obtain scholarships to report inward the United States, Great Britain, or other Commonwealth countries.
School kids of St. Kitts together with Nevis
Politics of Saint Kitts together with Nevis
The politics of Saint Kitts together with Nevis takes identify inward the framework of a federal parliamentary democracy. Saint Kitts together with Nevis is an independent Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II every bit its caput of state, represented yesteryear a governor-general. He acts on the advice of the prime number minister, who is the bulk political party leader inward the National Assembly, together with who, with a cabinet, conducts affairs of state.
St Kitts together with Nevis has a unmarried National Assembly responsible for making laws, together with comprising fourteen or xv members depending upon circumstances. 11 of these are straight elected representatives whilst 3 are senators appointed yesteryear the governor-general (two on the advice of the prime number government minister together with the tertiary on the advice of the leader of the opposition). If the attorney full general isn't appointed every bit a senator together with therefore he automatically gets a topographic point every bit one, increasing the number of senators to four. Of the 11 elected members, viii stand upward for constituencies inward St Kitts together with the remaining 3 stand upward for Nevis seats.
Dr Denzil Douglas prime number government minister of St. Kitts together with Nevis
The prime number government minister is appointed from the representatives yesteryear the governor-general, who has a constitutional duty to select someone who is probable to command the back upward of the bulk of the representatives. In practise this would commonly hateful the leader of the bulk political party or coalition. If at that topographic point is no suitable candidate, together with therefore the governor-general tin forcefulness out dissolve the assembly together with trigger a full general election. Other ministers are also appointed yesteryear the governor-general, on the advice of the prime number government minister (and therefore effectively yesteryear the prime number minister). The prime number government minister tin forcefulness out go removed from component division yesteryear the assembly, or yesteryear the governor-general if he feels that the prime number government minister no longer enjoys the back upward of the bulk of representatives. The assembly is elected every 5 years unless the governor-general dissolves it earlier the destination of this period, which he may produce on the advice of the prime number minister.
St Kitts together with Nevis has enjoyed a long history of costless together with fair elections, although the outcome of elections inward 1993 was strongly protested yesteryear the opposition together with the Regional Security System (RSS) was briefly deployed to restore order. The elections inward 1995 were contested yesteryear the ii major parties, the ruling People's Action Movement (PAM) together with the St Kitts together with Nevis Labour Party. Labour won 7 of the 11 seats, with Dr Denzil Douglas becoming prime number minister. In the March 2000 elections, Denzil Douglas together with the Labour Party were returned to power, winning viii of the 11 seats inward the House. The Nevis-based Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) won ii seats together with the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) won 1 seat. The PAM political party was unable to obtain a seat.
Under the constitution, Nevis has considerable autonomy together with has an isle assembly, a premier, together with a deputy governor-general. Under for sure specified conditions, it may secede from the federation. In accordance with its rights nether the Constitution, inward 1996 the Nevis Island Administration nether the Concerned Citizens' Movement (CCM) of Premier Vance Amory initiated steps towards secession from the Federation, the most recent beingness a plebiscite inward 1998 that failed to secure the required two-thirds bulk for secession. The March 2000 election results placed Vance Armory, every bit caput of the CCM, the leader of the country's opposition party. In the September 7, 2001 elections inward Nevis for the Nevis Island Administration, the CCM won iv of the 5 seats available, spell the NRP won one. In 2003, the Nevis Island Administration 1 time to a greater extent than proposed secession together with initiated formal constitutional procedures to grip a plebiscite on the issue, which was held inward early on 2004. While opposing secession, the Government acknowledged the constitutional rights of Nevisians to determine their futurity independence. Constitutional safeguards include liberty of speech, press, worship, movement, together with association. The most recent elections inward Nevis took identify on July 10, 2006. Amory's CCM was defeated yesteryear the NRP of Joseph Parry, winning solely ii out of the 5 elective seats. Parry was sworn inward every bit the tertiary Premier of Nevis a 24-hour interval later.
Like its neighbours inward the English-speaking Caribbean, St Kitts together with Nevis has an first-class human rights record. Its judicial organization is modelled on British practise together with physical care for together with its jurisprudence on English linguistic communication mutual law. The Royal St Kitts together with Nevis Police Force has nigh 370 members.
As caput of state, Queen Elizabeth II is represented yesteryear a governor-general who acts on the advice of the prime number minister. Following legislative elections, the leader of the bulk political party or leader of a bulk coalition is usually appointed prime number government minister yesteryear the governor-general. All other ministerial appointments, including that of deputy prime number minister, are made yesteryear the governor-general, but acting upon the advice of the prime number minister.
The National Assembly of Saint Kitts together with Nevis consists of 1 solid with 11 elected members, together with 3 appointed Senators—two on the advice of the Prime Minister, 1 on the advice of the Opposition Leader. If the Attorney General is non appointed every bit a Senator, he sits inward the Assembly every bit an ex officio member. Despite the departure inward titles, Senators produce non cast a separate house.
Eastern Caribbean Area Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia); 1 justice of the Supreme Court resides inward Saint Kitts.
The province is divided inward fourteen parishes: Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capisterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point.
Religion
Some 95 percent of islanders are Protestants, principally Anglican together with Methodist, though at that topographic point are a number of smaller Protestant sects. Religion remains a really of import establishment inward the guild together with culture. It is a major vehicle for maintaining community solidarity together with providing guidelines to together with reinforcing the importance of respectable behavior.
While virtually all islanders identity themselves every bit Christians, many older together with some younger islanders believe inward obeah , a cast of witchcraft inward which an private tin forcefulness out go supernaturally harmed yesteryear some other individual for reasons ranging from a perceived incorrect to uncomplicated envy.
Rastafarian from St. Kitts together with Nevis
Culture of St. Kitts together with Nevis
The civilisation of St. Kitts together with Nevis, ii little Caribbean Area islands forming 1 country, has grown mainly out of the West African traditions of the slave population brought inward during the colonial period. French Republic together with British colonists both settled the islands, together with for a flow of fourth dimension the British imported indentured Irish Gaelic servants.
St Kitts together with Nevis ladies inward their African wear
The native Caribs, skilled warriors, defended their lands yesteryear attacking the colonies. But yesteryear 1782, the British had gained command of St. Kitts together with Nevis, which they retained until granting the islands their independence inward 1983. British influence remains inward the country's official language, English, spell some islanders verbalize an English-based Creole. The influence of the French, Irish, together with Caribs seems less pronounced.
The people of St. Kitts together with Nevis are devoutly religious. Several historic Anglican churches stay on Nevis, together with l percent of the country's population silent practices the religion. Most other people belong to some other Christian denomination, though at that topographic point are some Rastafarians together with Bahá'í followers. An old Jewish cemetery on Nevis proves that at that topographic point was 1 time a Jewish population every bit well, but currently at that topographic point is no active Jewish community inward the country.
Festivities
As inward other Caribbean Area nations, the civilisation on St. Kitts together with Nevis is festive together with vibrant. Carnivals together with celebrations play an of import purpose inward isle life. At Christmas time, Carnival is inward total swing on St. Kitts. The opening gala takes identify inward mid-December, with events going on until a few days after New Year's. Among these events, crowd favorites include the Miss Caribbean Area Talented Teen Pageant, the Junior Calypso Show, together with the National Carnival Queen Pageant. Of course, at that topographic point are also plenty of parades total of people wearing colorful, spangled costumes.
Coastal Ecosystems (a) St. Kitts
The coastal together with marine ecosystems inward St. Kitts include coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves, tabular array salt ponds, various aquatic life together with the coastline. As an isle territory, St. Kitts has a delicate 78.1 km long coastline consisting of 34.7 km cliff (rocks), 10.8 km cobble, 6.3 km boulders together with rocks, 13.1 km dark volcanic sand, together with 13.2 km golden sand.
Both coral reef together with sea grass communities contribute to the next environmental processes:
§ Provide habitat for commercially of import fish species for illustration spiny lobster together with queen conch depend upon both habitats at for sure periods inward their life cycles.
§ Produce nutrients that are of import inward sustaining the life of fish species together with other organisms. The reefs also human activity every bit barriers during periods of heavy moving ridge attack, together with are of import contributors to white sands.
Mangroves are non abundant. The principal together with most extensive mangrove habitat inward St. Kitts make off inward the SEP. Hawksbill together with light-green sea turtles are found around the entire coast. In addition, at that topographic point is a large number of resident together with migratory birds that depend on the mangrove together with pond communities for feeding together with nesting.
(b) Nevis
Shoreline features of Nevis include sandy beaches, fresh H2O lagoons, rocky shores together with massive sea cliffs. The most prominent sandy beach is a 4 km department of the coastline that stretches N from Charlestown to Cades Bay, called Pinneys Beach. It is composed of both coral fragments together with terrestrial soils that give it a yellowish appearance together with is typical of a number of beaches found along the leeward coast of the island.
Another characteristic associated with the leeward coastline of Nevis is its organization of freshwater lagoons. These may go the outcome of either mount ghaut run-off, every bit is the illustration for the Pinneys Estate lagoons, or clandestine springs every bit evidenced at Nelson Springs inward Cotton Ground.
Nevis
Rocky shores are oft associated with an impressive array of marine life from algae together with snails to juvenile fishes of all description. Sea cliffs are found where strong moving ridge unloosen energy undercuts rocky ledges together with erodes soil from agglomerate together with unconsolidated rock. These rugged habitats tin forcefulness out go found on the southern together with eastern coasts of Nevis.
Three coastal habitats -- freshwater lagoons, coral reefs, together with seagrass beds -- are of critical importance to the nearshore tropical marine ecosystems of Nevis. There are many direct together with indirect links betwixt the productivity of these habitats together with the wellness of inshore fisheries.
Climate
The climate of the Federation of St. Kitts together with Nevis is classified every bit tropical marine. Generally, it is influenced yesteryear steady northeast merchandise winds together with tropical oceanic together with cyclonic movements.
Humidity
The relative humidity is fairly high all yr circular - some 75% - 80%. It is usually depression inward the dry out flavor together with high inward the moisture season. The hateful value is 76%, but it ranges from 70% inward March, to 78% inward September, Oct together with November.
Rainfall
Rainfall is mainly cyclonic together with orographic together with increases inward amount together with frequency with altitude. Mean annual rainfall ranges from nigh 890 – 1000 mm (35 - twoscore inches) inward the coastal areas, to nigh 2500 – 3800 mm (100 - 150 inches) inward the fundamental mount ranges. The rainfall is unevenly distributed betwixt years together with betwixt months, but at that topographic point is a reliable moisture flow from August to September together with a dry out flow from Jan - April.
Temperature
Temperatures average some 270 Celsius. Seasonal together with diurnal variations inward temperature are small.
Hurricanes together with Other Natural Hazards
(a) Hurricanes
The Federation is peculiarly vulnerable to impairment from tropical storms. Since 1989, viii storms receive got affected the province - Hugo, Felix, Gilbert, Iris, Luis, Marilyn, Bertha together with Georges. Damage from Hurricane Hugo (1989) has been estimated at E.C. $117 1 one one thousand thousand (US$43 M), from Hurricane Luis together with Marilyn (1995) at E.C. $149 1 one one thousand thousand (US$55M), together with from Hurricane Georges (1998) at E.C. $200 1 one one thousand thousand (US$74M).
These costs underestimate the actual magnitude of the economical impacts, every bit they produce non concern human relationship for private expenditures, every bit when private insurance claims are paid, or restoration together with repairs are done with insurance. Nor produce they concern human relationship for repairs that are non done, every bit when buildings are left abandoned together with derelict. They also produce non concern human relationship for the revenues lost to business, or lost tourist dollars, together with they produce non reverberate the costs inward human suffering together with grief that accompany major storms.
(b) Earthquakes
Earthquakes inward the Federation are derived straight from the tectonic interaction of the Caribbean Area together with Atlantic Plates, together with indirectly from volcanic activity also associated with these tectonic plates. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 secondary concern is that of earthquake (and volcanic) driven tsunamis (“tidal waves”), which could drive considerable impairment together with loss of life inward depression lying, densely populated coastal areas.
(c) Volcanic Activity
There is no historic tape of major volcanic eruption with attendant loss of belongings together with life. Nevertheless, the islands are geologically young, together with experience little activity at their Mt. Liamuiga together with Nevis Peak outlets.
Mount Liamuiga, St. Kitts
The Origin of The Name St Kitts together with Nevis
Saint Kitts was named "Liamuiga" yesteryear the Kalinago Indians who inhabited the island. This name, roughly translated, inward English linguistic communication agency "fertile land," a testimony to the island's rich volcanic soil together with high productivity.
Nevis's pre-Columbian cite was "Oualie," which translates to "land of beautiful waters," presumably referring to the island's many freshwater springs together with hot volcanic springs.
Christopher Columbus, upon sighting what nosotros at nowadays telephone telephone Nevis inward 1493, gave that isle the cite San Martin (Saint Martin). However, the confusion of numerous, poorly charted little islands inward the Leeward Island chain, meant that the cite ended upward beingness accidentally transferred to some other island, the 1 which nosotros at nowadays know every bit the French/Dutch isle Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten.
The electrical flow cite "Nevis" is derived from a Castilian cite Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (The master copy cite was the archaic Castilian "Noestra Siñora delas Neves"), yesteryear a physical care for of abbreviation together with anglicisation. This Castilian cite agency Our Lady of the Snows. It is non known who chose this cite for the island, but it is a reference to the story of a fourth-century Catholic miracle: a snowfall on the Esquiline Hill inward Rome. Presumably the white clouds which usually wreathe the top of Nevis Peak reminded someone of the story of a miraculous snowfall inward a hot climate. The isle of Nevis, upon get-go British settlement, was referred to every bit "Dulcina," a cite important "sweet one." Its master copy Castilian name, "Nuestra Señora de las Nieves," was eventually kept however, though it was before long shortened to "Nevis."
There is some disagreement over the cite which Columbus gave to St. Kitts. For many years it was idea that he named the isle San Cristobal, after his patron saint Saint Christopher, the saint of travelling. However, novel studies suggest that Columbus named the isle Sant Yago (Saint James). The cite "San Cristobal" was plainly given yesteryear Columbus to the isle at nowadays known every bit Saba, xx miles northwest. It seems that "San Cristobal" came to go applied to the isle of St. Kitts solely every bit the outcome of a mapping error.
No thing the root of the name, the isle was good documented every bit "San Cristobal" yesteryear the 17th century. The get-go English linguistic communication colonists kept the English linguistic communication translation of this name, together with dubbed it "St. Christopher's Island." In the 17th century Kit, or Kitt, was a mutual nickname for the cite Christopher, together with therefore the isle was oft informally referred to every bit "Saint Kitt's island," which was farther shortened to "Saint Kitts."
Today, the Constitution refers to the province every bit both "Saint Kitts together with Nevis" together with "Saint Christopher together with Nevis," but the one-time is the 1 most commonly used.
Language
All the inhabitants verbalize English, together with all the Afro-Caribbean residents receive got access to a local dialect based partly on English linguistic communication together with partly on several West African languages. English linguistic communication is the linguistic communication of business, religion, together with tourism together with is the medium of instruction inward schools. The local dialect, referred to every bit Kittitian on Saint Kitts together with Nevisian on Nevis, is used inward the family, at social gatherings, together with with men socializing together. It also is employed yesteryear Nevisians to communicate with 1 some other without beingness understood yesteryear tourists.
History
Five one one thousand years prior to European arrival, the isle was settled yesteryear Native Americans. The concluding moving ridge of Native American arrivals, the Kalinago people, arrived some 3 centuries earlier the Europeans. The islands were discovered yesteryear the Europeans through a Castilian expedition nether Columbus inward 1493. In 1538, French Huguenots established a settlement on St. Kitts but the settlement was destroyed yesteryear the Castilian before long afterwards together with the survivors were deported. In 1623, an English linguistic communication settlement was established, which was before long followed yesteryear French settlements, the isle beingness divided yesteryear agreement. Dissimilar to many other islands, the local Kalinago people on the isle allowed Europeans to colonise Saint Kitts. In 1626, the Anglo-French settlers massacred the Kalinago, pre-empting a programme yesteryear the Kalinago to drive the foreigners from the island.
Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh flanked yesteryear (l-r) Nevis Premier Hon. Vance Amory, Federations First Governor-General Sir Clement Arrindell, Lady Arrindell, Lady Simmonds together with get-go Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Sir Kennedy Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Simmonds.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Castilian expedition, sent to enforce Castilian claims, destroyed the English linguistic communication together with French colonies together with deported the settlers dorsum to their respective countries inward 1629. As component division of the state of war settlement inward 1630, the Castilian permitted the re-establishment of the English linguistic communication together with French colonies.
As Castilian might went into decline, Saint Kitts became the premier base of operations for English linguistic communication together with French expansion into the Caribbean, every bit the islands of Antigua, Montserrat, Anguilla together with Tortola for the English, together with Martinique, the Guadeloupe archipelago together with St. Barts for the French were colonised from it. During the belatedly 17th century, French Republic together with England battled for command over St Kitts. It was ceded to U.K. inward 1713.
Although little inward size, together with separated yesteryear solely 2 miles (3 km) of water, the ii islands were viewed together with governed every bit dissimilar states until the belatedly 19th century, when they were forcibly unified along with the isle of Anguilla yesteryear the British. To this 24-hour interval relations are strained, with Nevis accusing Saint Kitts of neglecting its needs.
St Kitta together with Nevis people celebrating Emancipation Day
The British generally imported slaves from West Africa to operate inward the sugarcane plantation every bit good every bit other human labour. Slaves were imported from West African coast, generally Ghana, Bight of Biafra (Nigeria), Dahomey together with others. Out of African imported to Caribbean Area Islands of St Kitts together with Nevis, bulk were Akans (mostly Fantes) from Ghana, followed yesteryear Yoruba, Igbo together with Fons. In fact, the demands for slave labour inward St Kitts together with Nevis was inward high demand that yesteryear 1700, Nevis had 8000 African slaves, outnumbering the whites 5 to one.
Saint Kitts together with Nevis, along with Anguilla, became an associated province with total internal autonomy inward 1967. Anguillians rebelled, together with separated from the others inward 1971. St. Kitts together with Nevis achieved independence inward 1983. It is the newest sovereign province inward the Americas. In August 1998, a vote inward Nevis on a plebiscite to separate from St. Kitts roughshod curt of the two-thirds bulk needed. In belatedly September 1998, Hurricane Georges caused some $458,000,000 inward damages together with belongings together with express gross domestic product growth for the yr together with beyond. Georges was the worst hurricane to hitting the portion inward the century.
St Kitts together with Nevis girl
Human Settlements
(a) St. Kitts
The settlement designing inward St. Kitts consists of a serial of little villages along the isle principal road, which passes really unopen to the coastline. There is a concentration inward the Basseterre upper-case alphabetic quality region, where nigh 40% of the population resides. There is a full general preference for living close the coastline, primarily because most of the upland interior Earth is really rugged together with steep with some sections beingness nether the woods reserve together with the remaining areas are intensely cultivated with carbohydrate cane.
The rural landscape is dominated yesteryear carbohydrate cane plantations, with settlements interspersed inward between. The increasing demand for agricultural Earth has, inward recent decades, resulted inward many little farmers clearing forested Earth inward the upper slopes for farming. Such encroachment results inward deforestation, soil erosion, together with pollution of flow rivers together with coastal waters.
The rural areas are characterized yesteryear ribbon developments, none of which tin forcefulness out go said to receive got occurred every bit component division of a planned physical evolution strategy, although at that topographic point are a handful of locations where planned developments receive got been implemented.
The major urban areas are Basseterre - the upper-case alphabetic quality city, Sandy Point together with Cayon. The drift from rural to urban areas over the yesteryear ii decades has led to Basseterre becoming overcrowded. Sandy Point together with Cayon are also experiencing expansion related problemsThe metropolis centre is, for the most part, good planned, beingness set out on a grid-iron pattern. Near to the metropolis centre, at that topographic point are some other areas of well-planned low-to medium-density suburbs (Shadwell, Wades Garden, Ponds Pasture together with Fortlands). Interspersed amongst
these, are a few areas of high density residential developments.
Aerial View of the Basseterre Valley, St.Kitts.
In recent years, the metropolis centre has go increasingly congested together with its infrastructure is approaching saturation levels. There is range silent to expand outwards, with the availability of 10 hectares (25 acres) of Earth newly reclaimed from the sea together with the construction of a novel sea port (Port Zante) inward the unopen vicinity.
In the concluding 10 years, Basseterre has experienced important growth of dormitory suburbs at Mattingley, Bird Rock together with Earl Morne. In addition, it is also experiencing commercial together with industrial expansion on the margins of the town. The traditional suburbs of the capital, Mc Knight, Irish Gaelic Town together with Newtown, where the cracking bulk of the city’s population live, are for the most component division poorly planned together with introduce formidable challenges inward terms of adequate housing, services together with infrastructure provision. Urban renewal programmes look to go necessary inward these areas.
http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis.html
2013- 2014 National Carnival Queen, Kaeve Armstrong
Left to right: Brijesh Lawrence of Saint Kitts together with Nevis, London 2012
South East Peninsula, St. Kitts
St Kitts together with Nevis Sprint Sensation Tameka Williams
St. John's Anglican Church inward Belle Vue, St. Kitts
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