Nevis Overview

Overview - Nevis is an English-speaking island in the Caribbean Sea that is part of the larger Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The capital is Charlestown, a city of almost 2,000 (a decent size by Caribbean standards), and there you can see old government buildings, Spanish and French Forts built during the island's more precarious years, and their immigration offices which hustle and bustle in the summer months with expats looking to find a new home.

With one of the strongest economies in the region, the state has been able to finance the education system, the modern Newcastle Airport featuring a 4,000-foot runway, modern air traffic control tower, and newly renovated passenger areas in the main building, which is good because flight is the main form of transportation to and from the nearby continents and islands. Airlines that service the island include Air Canada, WINAIR, BWIA, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Iberia. These different airlines offer international travel to their home countries and short flights to neighboring islands like St. Thomas, Anguilla, and Puerto Rico. You can also charter your own aircraft if you would like some more personalized travel arrangements.

The other major form is by boat. Cheap ferries are always available to St. Kitts as well as larger ships and vessels for importing and exporting and transportation.

There is also very modern telecommunications infrastructure including such good telephone linkage that the islands have a US dialing code, very convenient for those calling from the United States, Canada, or Europe. Cable and Wireless also offers cell phone plans, fast internet, and telex services.

History - Nevis, and its sister island St. Kitts, were first inhabited by the Carib Indians. Later Christopher Columbus and his crew visited Nevis during their second voyage to "India." The name Nevis, in fact, is a corrupted form of the Spanish word for snow, nieve, since the ill-reputed conqueror noticed that Nevis Peak (a large volcano in the center of the island) is always covered by clouds that resemble snow. Even Virginia's famed colonist John Smith dropped by for some exploring in the early 17th century. As a bonus fact, Alexander Hamilton of the Federalist Paper fame, was also born on Nevis.

The Spanish, British, French and Dutch then proceeded to squabble over the island rich with wood, sea turtles, sugar, and potential Christians for the next 10 or so generations. Interestingly, just around the time that Napoleon Bonaparte's grandson Maximilian I became Emperor of Mexico, his younger brother Jerome attacked Nevis but failed, and after the Treaty of Versailles, which ceded the islands to the Brits, they were able to reign supreme. And they did so, until 1983 when the islands won their independence.

Government - Now recognized by the UN, and most other international organizations, as a sovereign nation, St. Kitts and Nevis has been able to operate its democratic government without major interference from other countries. In fact, it has a set of very unique laws that allow businesses such as Forex trading and E-Wallet operators to function legally within their country. What other nation in the world offers this along with the bank secrecy and economic stability to back it up? It also has not gone on a tax signing spree like other neighboring countries have.

Just look at its rating by the Freedom Foundation—it was rated as one of the top ten most free nations in the entire world. How's that for a good country?

Economy - The official currency of Nevis is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD), which is also used in seven other nations in the region. Because it's not the USD, wire transfers in this currency will not be passed through the US but only through the very same country, in the city of Basseterre located in St. Kitts. This currency is pegged to the USD. All merchants on the island will accept this currency, as well as your foreign credit cards from a major company.

What You Can Do in Nevis - For the leisure seeker Nevis offers mountain climbing, though be warned that the volcano is potentially active, which could make your day a little too sunny, trinket shopping, gorgeous white sand beaches, fishing, sailing, and boating, local dance shows, architectural tours, and resort life.

In addition, while many people come for the beaches and great food, the businessman, though he or she enjoys these things, will also appreciate the economic growth, agriculture, and especially the local banks who will be happy to meet with you.

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