Saint Kitts and Nevis General Information Area: St Kitts: 168.4 sq km (65.1 sq miles). Nevis: 93.2 sq km (36 sq miles). Total: 261.6 sq km (101.1 sq miles). Population: 42,500 (1999). Population Density: 157.6 per sq km. Capital: Basseterre. Population: 12,220 (1994). GEOGRAPHY: St Kitts (officially known as St Christopher) lies in the northern part of the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. The high central body of the island is made up of three groups of rugged volcanic peaks split by deep ravines. The vegetation on the central mountain range is rainforest, thinning higher up to dense bushy cover. From here the island’s volcanic crater, Mount Liamuiga, rises to almost 1200m (4000ft). The foothills, particularly to the north, form a gently rolling landscape of sugar-cane plantations and grassland, while uncultivated lowland slopes are covered with thick tropical woodland and exotic fruits such as papaya, mangoes, avocados, bananas and breadfruit. To the southeast of the island, a low-lying peninsula, on which there are many excellent beaches, stretches towards Nevis. Some 3km (2 miles) to the south and only minutes away by air or ferry across The Narrows channel is the smaller island of Nevis, which is almost circular in shape. The island is skirted by miles of silver-sand beaches, golden coconut groves and a calm, turquoise sea in which great brown pelicans dive for the rich harvest of fish. The central peak of the island, Nevis Peak, is 985m (3232ft) high and its tip is usually capped with white clouds. The mountain is flanked on the north and south sides by two lesser mountains, Saddle Hill and Hurricane Hill, which once served as look-out posts for Nelson’s fleet. Hurricane Hill on the north side commands a view of St Kitts and Barbuda. On the island’s west side, massed rows of palm trees form a coconut forest. There are pleasant coral beaches on the island’s north and west coasts. Government: Consitutional monarchy since 1983. Gained independence from the UK in 1983. Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor General Sir Cuthbert Montroville Sebastian since 1996. Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas since 1995. Language: The official language is English. Religion: Anglican and other Christian denominations. Time: GMT - 4. Electricity: 230 volts AC, 60Hz (110 volts available in some hotels). Communications:   Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 1 869. Outgoing international code: 1 (Caribbean, Canada and USA); 011 (elsewhere). Mobile telephone TDMA network not compatible with GSM handsets. Handsets can be hired from the network provider, C & W Caribbean Cellular (website: www.caribcell.com). Unregistered roaming is available – visitors with TDMA handsets can make calls without registering, provided they can give a credit card number. Fax This service is available to the public at the offices of Cable & Wireless (see below) and at some hotels. Internet ISPs include Caribsurf (website: www.caribsurf.com) and Cable & Wireless (website: www.candw.kn). Public access is available at many hotels and the Internet kiosk at the Cable & Wireless offices in Basseterre, St Kitts. Telegram Facilities are available at main hotels and at the offices of Cable & Wireless at Cayon Street, Basseterre and Main Street, Charlestown. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0700-1900, Sat 0700-1400 and 1900-2000, Sun and public holidays 0800-1000 and 1900-2000. Post Airmail to Western Europe takes five to seven days. Post offices are open Mon-Fri and Sat 0800-1500, Thurs 0800-1100. Press There are three newspapers published in English: the Democrat and the St Kitts and Nevis Observer (weekly); and the twice weekly Labour Spokesman. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.19 12.10 6.195 5.975 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 13.79 9.455 6.130 5.995 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes No Yes Australian Yes No Yes Canadian 1 No Yes USA 1 No Yes OtherEU Yes 2 Yes Japanese Yes Yes Yes PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all except: 1. nationals of Canada and the USA with valid photo ID (for stays of up to six months). VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to 30 days: (a) 2. nationals of countries as indicated in the chart above, except nationals of Portugal who do require visas; (b) nationals of Commonwealth countries except Cameroon, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa. Nationals of Pakistan can obtain a visa on arrival for up to one month; (c) nationals of Argentina, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Jordan, Korea (Rep), Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Venezuela; (d) those continuing journey to a third country by the same aircraft within 24 hours without leaving the airport. Types of visa and cost: Ordinary. Cost depends on nationality of applicant. Validity: Usually up to three months. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission), or British Consulate in countries with no representation; see Contact Addresses section. Working days required: Two to three days. Temporary residence: Apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Basseterre, St Kitts. Money Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of EC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of EC$1, and 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. US Dollars are also legal tender on the islands. Note: The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is tied to the US Dollar. Currency exchange: Most major currencies can be exchanged at banks on the islands. Credit & debit cards: All major cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available. ATMs are widely available. Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars. Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import of local or foreign currency, provided declared on arrival. Export of local and foreign currency is limited to the amount imported and declared. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Eastern Caribbean Dollar against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 3.93 4.12 4.27 4.29 $1.00= 2.70 2.70 2.70 2.70 Banking hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1500, Fri 0800-1700. The St Kitts and Nevis National Bank is open Sat 0830-1130. Duty Free The following goods may be imported into St Kitts & Nevis by travellers aged 18 and over without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco; 1.136l of wine or spirits. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Jan 2 Carnival Day. Apr 18 Good Friday. Apr 21 Easter Monday. May 5 May Day. Jun 9 Whit Monday. Jun 14 Queen’s Birthday. Aug 4 August Monday. Sep 19 Independence Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 2 Carnival Day. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 3 May Day. May 31 Whit Monday. Jun 12 Queen’s Birthday. Aug 2 August Monday. Sep 19 Independence Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No 1 Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio No N/A Malaria No N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas. Food & drink: Mains water is chlorinated and safe. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first week of stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Other risks: Hepatitis A and dengue fever occur. Health care: There are large general hospitals in Basseterre and Charlestown, and a smaller public hospital at Sandy Point, St Kitts. There are no private hospitals, but several doctors and dentists are in private practice. Payment upfront will often be required, therefore health insurance is advised. Travel - International AIR: Most flights not from the USA are via St Maarten, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe or Antigua. American Airlines has regular flights from the USA. LIAT (LI) runs six flights a week from Antigua and offers day-trip charters to St Maarten (for duty-free shopping) and Antigua & Barbuda. Other airlines serving the islands include American Eagle, Winair and Caribbean Star. Approximate flight times: From London to St Kitts is 10 hours, including stopover in Antigua. From New York to St Kitts is 5 hours. International airports: St Kitts (SKB) (Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw, formerly Golden Rock Airport) is 3.2km (2 miles) from Basseterre on St Kitts. Airport facilities include tourist information, restaurant and duty-free shop. Taxi fares are regulated; fares from the airport to Basseterre are approximately EC$17 (50 cents is charged on each additional piece of luggage over one). Newcastle Airfield (NEV) is 11km (5 miles) from Charlestown on Nevis. Departure tax: EC$41. Children under 12 years of age are exempt. An environment levy fee of EC$4 is also payable on departure. SEA: Basseterre is a deep-water port capable of berthing ships up to 120m (400ft) and is regularly visited by cruise liners operated by Carnival, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Regal Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Seabourn and Sun Cruises. Regular ferry services operate from St Kitts to St Maarten. Travel - Internal AIR: The local airline, Nevis Express (VF), runs several flights daily between Newcastle Airport, Nevis and St Kitts, as well as local flights to neighbouring islands (tel: 469 9755; fax: 469 9751; e-mail: reservations@nevisexpress.com; website: www.nevisexpress.com). The flight time from St Kitts to Nevis is six minutes. SEA: There is a regular passenger ferry service between Basseterre (St Kitts) and Charlestown (Nevis) with two to four sailings daily (travel time – 45 minutes). For information, contact the General Manager, St Kitts & Nevis Port Authority, Basseterre. ROAD: A good road network on both islands makes any area accessible within minutes. Driving is on the left. Bus: There are privately run bus services, which are comfortable and make regular, but unscheduled, runs between villages. Taxi: Services on both islands have set rates. A schedule of taxi rates is obtainable at the government headquarters. There is a 50 per cent surcharge 2200-0600. Taxi drivers expect a ten per cent tip. Car & moped hire: A selection of cars and mopeds can be hired from several companies. It is best to book cars through the airline well in advance. Documentation: Before driving any vehicle, including motorcycles, a local Temporary Driver’s Licence must be obtained from the Police Traffic Department. This is readily issued on presentation of an International Driving Permit or national driving licence and a fee of EC$50, and is valid for one year. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives travel times from Basseterre, St Kitts (in hours and minutes) to other major towns on the islands: Air Road Sea Newcastle, Nevis 0.05 - - Charlestown, Nevis - - 0.45 Sandy Point - 0.20 - Brimstone Hill - 0.35 - Frigate Bay - 0.10 - Cockleshell Bay - 0.35 - Accommodation In general, prices are considerably reduced in the low season (mid-April to mid-December). Group discounts and package rates are offered by most hotels on request. A government tax of seven per cent is levied on all hotel bills and the hotels themselves add ten per cent service charge, although this varies slightly between establishments. HOTELS: There are over 20 hotels on the two islands, the majority being on St Kitts; most are small and owner-managed, offering a high standard of facilities and comfort. Many are converted from the great houses and sugar mills on the old estates. Further development on St Kitts will add 600 more beds. A full list of hotels can be obtained from the Embassy, High Commission or Tourist Board. The majority of hotels belong to the St Kitts & Nevis Hotel & Tourism Association (HTA), PO Box 438, Liverpool Row, Basseterre, St Kitts (tel: 465 5304; fax: 465 7746; e-mail: stkitnevhta@caribsurf.com; website: www.stkittsnevishta.org/). Grading: Though not a grading structure, many hotels in the Caribbean offer accommodation according to one of a number of plans: FAP is Full American Plan: room with all meals (including afternoon tea, supper, etc); AP is American Plan: room with three meals; MAP is Modified American Plan: breakfast and dinner included with the price of the room plus, in some places, British-style afternoon tea; CP is Continental Plan: room and breakfast only; EP is European Plan: room only. GUEST-HOUSES: There are several guest-houses on both islands. A list is available from the St Kitts & Nevis Department of Tourism. SELF-CATERING: There are villas and apartments available. A list and full details are available from the St Kitts & Nevis Department of Tourism. St Kitts BASSETERRE: The picturesque capital, located near the seabord of the west coast, retains the flavour of both French and British occupation, and there are many Georgian buildings surrounding Independence Square. Other sights in or near the capital include: The Circus, the market, St George’s Church, Craft House, Brimstone Hill Fortress, Black Rocks, Romney Manor and the Caribelle Batik Factory, the Primate Research Centre, Frigate Bay Development, the southeastern peninsula and Mount Liamuiga’s volcanic crater. BRIMSTONE HILL: One of the most impressive New World forts, built on the peak of a sulphuric prominence, known as ‘The Gibraltar of the West Indies’. It commands the southern approach to what were the sugar mill plains, and boasts a splendid view of the nearby islands of Saba and St Eustatius. Built in 1690, Brimstone was the scene of a number of Franco-British battles during the 18th century. FRIGATE BAY: This is the main resort area on the island and has been designated a Tourist Area by the Government. It boasts two fine beaches, hotels, a golf course and a casino. Nevis Since the 18th century, Nevis has been known as the ‘Queen of the Caribbean’, and over the last 100 years the island has become one of the world’s most exclusive resorts and spas. Most of the original plantation owners lived on the island and it became renowned as a centre of elegant and gracious living. Although Nevis has lived through an earthquake and a tidal wave, which is claimed to have buried the former capital, the island is still dotted, as is St Kitts, with fascinating old buildings and historic sites. CHARLESTOWN: The capital is a delightful town, with weathered wooden buildings decorated like delicate gingerbread and great arches of brilliantly coloured bougainvillaea. The town contains several reminders of Nevisian history, such as the Cotton Ginnery, Alexander Hamilton’s birthplace and museum, the Court House, the War Memorial, the Alexandra Hospital and the Jewish Cemetery. Some of the plantation houses have now been transformed into superb hotels, such as the famous Nisbet. Other sights in or near Charlestown include: Nevis Philatelic Bureau, the Public Library, the Market, Bath House (one of the oldest hotels in the Leeward Islands), Eva Wilkin’s studio, Eden Brown’s Great House, Fig Tree Church, Nelson Museum, Bath Hot Springs and the Newcastle Pottery. ELSEWHERE: North of Charlestown is Pinney’s Beach, one of the best on the island, an expanse of silver sand, backed by palm trees. Further north still, Black Sand Beach and Hurricane Hill offer excellent views of both St Kitts and Barbuda. Sport & Activities Watersports: Swimming is excellent; most hotels have freshwater pools and some have their own beaches. Scuba and snorkelling are catered for and beach hotels generally have equipment. Several Basseterre skippers are equipped to take scuba parties. There are dozens of unexplored wrecks around the islands. Sailing boats can be hired from beach hotels, although Nevis has very limited facilities. Fast boats and water-skiing equipment are available for hire. Fishing trips can be organised. Deep-sea fishing is a speciality. Other: An 18-hole international golf championship course is at Frigate Bay and a 9-hole course at Golden Rock, both on St Kitts. There is also an 18-hole championship golf course on Nevis. A number of tennis courts are available on both islands, and clubs welcome visitors. Day passes can be purchased. Many of the hotels have their own (mainly hard) tennis courts. Some courts are floodlit for evening play. Horseriding in the rainforest or on the beach can be arranged through hotels. There are several hiking trails leading into the mountains or through the rainforest. Local guides can be arranged through hotels. Other sports enjoyed and watched include cricket and football. Social Profile Food & Drink: St Kitts & Nevis has built up a widely established reputation for fine food, a reputation which the local restauranteurs guard zealously. Restaurants specialise in West Indian, Creole, Continental, Indian, Chinese and French cuisine. Most restaurants in St Kitts offer a continental menu with island variations. Local dishes include roast suckling pig, spiny lobster, crab back and curries. Restaurants that cater more for locals also offer conch (curried, soused or in salad), turtle stews, rice and peas and goat’s water (mutton stew). Christophine, yams, breadfruit and papaya are also served. Nevis is less grand and Charlestown’s small restaurants cater more to Nevisians than visitors. Local specialities are native vegetable soup, lobster, mutton and beef. Fruit, including mangoes, papayas and bananas, is sold at the waterfront market. The locally produced CSR (cane spirit) is excellent. A wide range of imported drinks is available. Nightlife: Very low key. A number of hotels and inns have string or steel bands to dance to on Saturday nights in the peak season, and there is a disco called J’s Place at the foot of the Brimstone Hill Fortress in St Kitts. Reflections Night Club, also in St Kitts, is open until the small hours. St Kitts has a casino at the Royal St Kitts, complete with slot machines, roulette wheels and blackjack tables. In Nevis, the Club Trenim is recommended. Otherwise entertainment centres around the pleasant bars of the inns and hotels. Shopping: Local crafts include carvings, batik, wall hangings, leather art and coconut work. Local textiles and designs are also available. Stamp collectors should note the excellent Philatelic Bureaux in Basseterre and Charlestown. Duty-free shopping is relatively new to St Kitts and, as yet, only a few shops feature imported merchandise at substantial savings. Nevis’ hot pepper sauce, ranked among the Caribbean’s best, is a good take-home item and can be bought at the Main Street grocery in Charlestown. Friday and Saturday are the busy market days, and visitors should not miss the chance to witness this abundance of exotic food stalls, accompanied by lively local chatter. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0830-1200 and 1300-1600; some shops close early on Thursday. Special Events: Festivals in St Kitts & Nevis culminate in the annual week-long carnival over Christmas, featuring floats, calypso competitions, masked parades and house parties. Visitors are encouraged to take part. The following is a selection of special events scheduled for 2003: Jan 1-2 Carnival, Basseterre. May Guavaberry Caribbean Offshore Regatta (race from St Maarten ending in St Nevis). May 11 Triathlon. Jun Windsurfing Sunfishrace (18km/11-mile race from Frigate Bay, St Kitts to Oualie Beach, Nevis); Caribbean Offshore Race. Jun 27-30 St Kitts International Music Festival. Jul St Kitts Football Festival. Sep 19 Independence Day (parades, street festivities and dancing). Oct Oceanfest (sunfish racing, fishing tournament, food, music and dancing); St Kitts Tourism Week (Caribbean tourism pageant, ocean festival and steel band concerts). Dec National Carnival (including Calypso King and Queen competitions, Miss St Kitts beauty pageant and various other youth talent contests). Dec 26 Jouvert Morning (carnival at 0400). Social Conventions: Commercialisation has not yet taken over and the easy-going, quiet way of life of the local people remains almost unspoiled. All visitors to the islands are cordially welcomed; marriages are valid after two days' residence. Islanders maintain traditions of calypso dancing and music and this can be seen particularly during the summer months. Dress is informal at most hotels. Beach attire is not appropriate for around town, in shops or in restaurants. For more formal occasions and functions, a lightweight suit and tie is recommended. Tipping: Ten per cent service charge is added to hotel bills. In restaurants, leave ten to 15 per cent and tip taxi drivers ten per cent of the fare. Business Profile Economy: St Kitts & Nevis has an agricultural economy, the mainstay of which is the sugar industry. As the world sugar price has been very low in the past few years and several sugar crops have been badly damaged by hurricanes and other adverse climatic conditions, St Kitts & Nevis has come to rely on regular injections of foreign aid to prevent economic collapse. The Government has responded by trying to broaden the base of the economy. Bananas, yams and sweet potatoes are now important crops and the cultivation of rice and coffee is under development. Fishing is also growing in commercial importance. Manufacturing is dominated by sugar products; textiles and drinks are also produced. A thriving electronics and data-processing sector is the principal success story from the Government’s diversification policy, as is tourism which is developing rapidly, particularly on Nevis, and now brings nearly US$100 million a year into the economy. More recently, and especially on Nevis, an ‘offshore’ financial services industry has developed: there are now 10,000 foreign businesses registered on the island and the government has come under pressure to modify its strict commercial secrecy laws to allow the investigation of money-laundering. The UK and the USA are the islands’ main trading partners, as well as other Caribbean states. Business: Businesswear for men usually consists of a short- or long-sleeved shirt and tie, or open-neck tunic shirt or alternatively, safari-type suits. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1600. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: St Kitts & Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, PO Box 332, South Independence Square Street, Basseterre (tel: 465 3967; fax: 465 4490; e-mail: sknchamber@caribsurf.com). Conferences/Conventions: For further information on conferences and convention possibilities, contact the St Kitts & Nevis Hotel & Tourism Association (for address, see Accommodation section) or St Kitts & Nevis Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). Climate Hot and tropical climate tempered by trade winds throughout most of the year. The driest period is from January to April and there is increased rainfall in summer and towards the end of the year. The volume of rain varies according to altitude; rain showers can occur throughout the year. The average annual rainfall is about 125cm (50 inches) to 200cm (80 inches) with a wetter season from May to October. Like the other Leeward Islands, St Kitts lies in the track of violent tropical hurricanes which are most likely to develop between August and October. Required clothing: Tropical lightweights, with light rainwear advisable all year round. History and Government History: The islands of St Kitts and Nevis were originally settled by Indians from South America. The UK, France and, to a lesser extent, Spain squabbled over possession throughout the 16th century. By 1623, the UK had prevailed and set about cultivating sugar on plantations worked by large numbers of slaves. It was not until September 1983 that the islands became an independent state within the Commonwealth. Since then, the dominant issues for the nation have been the relative positions of the two islands of St Kitts & Nevis. The possibility of a merger with other Leeward Islands and the Virgin Islands has been debated, as has the growing problem of drug trafficking, in which St Kitts, like most small Caribbean islands, has become involved. The people of Nevis are themselves deeply split, roughly between the population of the southern towns, which favour independence, and the rest of the island, which does not. Were Nevis to become independent, it would be the world’s smallest sovereign state after the Vatican, which naturally gives rise to concerns about its economic viability. The dominant party in St Kitts & Nevis since independence has been the conservative People’s Action Movement (PAM), under its long-standing leader, Dr Kennedy Simmonds. PAM had a role in all of the three governments following independence but lost all of its seats in the National Assembly at the latest poll in March 2000. The principal beneficiary of PAM’s demise was the Labour Party, which now enjoys a comfortable majority under the leadership of premier Denzil Douglas. The remaining elected members of the Assembly belong to the two Nevis-based parties, the Concerned Citizens’ Movement and the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP). Nevis has its own Assembly, which is dominated by these two parties and which, in late 1997, voted unanimously in favour of independence for the island. However, a referendum held in August 1998 failed to provide the two-thirds majority necessary to give constitutional force to the Nevis Assembly’s decision. Although in abeyance for the moment, the issue independence for Nevis remains a live one. Government: The head of state of the Federation of St Christopher and Nevis (the islands’ formal title) is the British monarch, represented locally by a Governor-General. Legislative power is vested in the Governor-General and the National Assembly, which has 11 members elected directly by universal suffrage for a five-year term and three appointed members. Nevis Island also has a separate legislature that, subject to certain conditions written into the constitution, may secede from the Government of the Federation. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.