St Kitts is part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, but is quite different from other Caribbean islands. St Kitts is a lush tropical paradise which is quite similar to the south Pacific Islands. Kittitians are hospitable and friendly, and visitors have a tendency to return year after year.
The island was first spotted by Christopher Columbus in 1493, and was originally populated by native tribes. It was then colonised by the British in 1623 but achieved independence in 1983. The island has a population of around 35,000, and the primary language is English.
Although it is a Caribbean paradise, there are signs of its colonial history all around the island. One of the most impressive is the Brimstone Hill Fortress, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the largest fortress ever built in the Eastern Caribbean. The fortress was the scene for many fierce battles, as the island used to be considered the gateway to the Caribbean.
There are also a number of beautifully restored plantation houses, as much of St Kitts original wealth came from the sugar plantations. St Kitts was ideal for growing sugar due to its rich volcanic soil and perfect climate. Many landowners made a fortune from this crop, and by 1775 there were 68 sugar plantations on the island.
When the last of the sugar plantations finally shut down in 2005 the government began to concentrate on promoting tourism. Thankfully it has learned from the development of other Caribbean islands, and is strictly controlling the amount of building so this beautiful island will always retain its natural charm.
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