Basseterre, the Capital City of St Kitts

Basseterre is the capital city of St Kitts, and has a population of around 15,000. It is significant for being one of the oldest Caribbean towns, and was originally founded by the French in 1627 when it was the capital of the French colony, which at the time consisted of the northern and southern most parts of the island as the central area was under the control of the British.

By 1639 the city was a thriving port and became the capital of the French West Indies colony which included the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. By 1727 the British controlled the entire island, and chose to make Basseterre the capital city of St Kitts. In spite of the city being destroyed several times due to fire, earthquakes and floods, there are still a surprising number of beautifully restored older buildings remaining.

The name Basseterre is French for low land, and the city is situated in a valley, surrounded by hills. Basseterre is also known for being protected from winds, making it perfect for ships to anchor safely. It is quite a small town which has just four main streets running from east to west, and just one running north to south. In spite of its compact size, the city is the main hub for all the country’s administration as it contains all the federal buildings.

Landmarks of interest to visitors include Independence Square which was originally called Pall Mall Square, and is infamous for being the site of the slave market, and the Berkley memorial which stands in the middle of the Circus, a cross roads named after Piccadilly Circus in London.

The Scenic Railway on St Kitts

St Kitts is best known for having beautiful beaches, and for being an up market destination for those looking to travel to the Caribbean, but there is much more to see and do on this picturesque island, and there’s so much it’s likely to be tricky to fit it all in. 

One attraction that shouldn’t be missed is the St Kitts Scenic Railway, as it is one of the few operational railways left in the Caribbean. It was originally constructed back in the 1920’s as a way of transporting sugar cane from plantations around the island, to the processing factory in the capital city of Basseterre. Nowadays, it is purely a tourist attraction as the sugar cane industry finally shut down in 2005.

The train crosses over 24 bridges, and passes by several sidings that were used to load the sugar cane. Passengers can travel in antique railway carriages from the quaintly named Needsmust station, passing by the slopes of St Kitts dormant volcano, Mount Liamuiga, as well as many Atlantic facing beaches, and the crumbling remains of grand plantation homes and estates. It is a great way for seeing a little more of the island, and is perfect for first time visitors, or anyone who doesn’t have very much time for sight-seeing. 

It is easy to see why it is such a favourite with cruise ship visitors, especially as it passes right through several villages, offering a tantalising glimpse of everyday life. About halfway around, passengers are transferred onto sightseeing buses for the remainder of the tour, before returning to Needsmust station. The tour only takes around three and a half hours, but is an excellent way for anyone to orientate themselves with the charms of St Kitts.

St Kitts Prime Minister Seeks Investment from India

St Kitts Prime Minister, Dr Denzil Douglas recently visited India, and invited Indians to invest in the renewable energy sector, information and technology, and the hotel industry in St Kitts and Nevis.

Douglas is also hoping more Indian tourists will visit the Caribbean island. He pointed out that an investment of US$400,000 could secure citizenship in St Kitts, and would allow investors to benefit from a tax holiday for 10 years for corporate tax, to be free from income tax, and duty-free import.

This investment can be into one of the recognised property developments in the country such as Oceans Edge, and successful applicants are able to benefit from a second passport, enabling visa free travel to many countries.

Douglas is particularly interested in attracting investors into renewable energy, as St Kitts has no natural energy resources and has to rely on importing costly diesel. There is considerable scope for wind energy on St Kitts and Nevis, as well as geothermal, solar and biomass energy.

There's already a wind farm on Nevis which has saved the state $2 million in electricity, and the construction of a geothermal plant should help the federation save around $30 million in energy costs. The government of St Kitts and Nevis is hoping to achieve 60% of its energy generation through renewable energy sources by 2015, and the government headquarters is already partially powered through solar energy.

Douglas is hoping to encourage Indian companies to invest in the power sector, but he's also looking to gain expert help from India for the livestock industry, and for food processing.

Project to Protect Reefs Is Launched in St Kitts

St Kitts is remarkable for having pristine reefs which attract divers and snorkellers to this beautiful Caribbean island, but it's not taking this granted and a new project has just been launched to help evaluate future threats to coral reefs and the livelihoods associated with them.

The Future of Reefs in a Changing Environment (FORCE) was launched on April 4, with a consultation whose participants included those whose livelihoods are connected with the coral reefs. These include tourism workers, fishermen, Coast Guard personnel, and water tour operators.

St Kitts is just one of four countries taking part in this pilot project with the others being Belize, Honduras, and Barbados. The consultation was facilitated by Selina Stead, who is professor of Marine Governance and Environmental Science at Newcastle University.

The project is being funded by the EU and aims to look at how dependency on the coral reefs and changes to them could affect coastal communities. It will look at which policies have been effective and which haven't, and why. The group also aims to discuss how locals use resources found on the reef, with particular emphasis on tourism and the fishing industry.

The idea is to improve coral reef management while taking into account factors which often hinder successful implementation. Although the coral reefs are facing climate change, they are also being harmed by pollution, coral disease, unsustainable fishing practices, and sedimentation.

In the past St Kitts has taken considerable steps to protect its marine environment, and has worked with the Coral Reef Alliance and Philippe Cousteau's Earth Echo to gain a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the reefs and the delicate ecosystem of the waters around the island.

St Kitts sees The Effect of Climate Change

Every year between March and July around 40 to 65 leatherback sea turtles come on to Keys Beach in St Kitts to lay their eggs, and the St Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network has been making sure Keys Beach is clean, as it's one of the main nesting sites on the island. However over the past few years they've noticed that the beach is being affected by erosion, but this isn't the only concern as there are also worries about increased temperatures.

When the eggs are laid they aren't gender specific as this is determined by the incubation temperature. A higher incubation temperature tends to produce female turtles, while lower temperatures produce male turtles, and there are worries that rising temperatures could skew the turtle population. It's not just the turtles being affected, as a Conaree Fish Farm was recently established to grow fresh water tilapia in seawater.

The project pulls water from around 320 m out in the ocean before feeding it back into several artificial ponds where the fish are grown. However seaweed from the Sargasso Sea is now showing up on beaches in the Caribbean and is clogging the intake pipes. Apparently the change in temperature is causing the seaweed to release itself from the seabed as it needs sunlight to grow.

At least this organism is natural, and doesn't affect the sea turtles, and it's been found nesting birds on the beaches are feeding and foraging within the seaweed. However what's more important is the effect climate change is having on St Kitts, and even though the island emits minimal greenhouse gases it is likely to be greatly affected by climate change. The focus is now on adaptation, and millions of dollars are being poured into the Caribbean to help this region prepare.

St Kitts capital city, Basseterre

Aside from the beautiful beaches, golf courses and shops and restaurants, many of the attractions on St Kitts are based on its illustrious past. St Kitts is strategically located as it was considered to be the gateway to the Caribbean, and the valuable sugarcane industry made it a price well worth fighting over. It's a history which is very difficult to ignore, and in many ways it's shaped the culture of the country.

You only have to stroll around the capital city of Basseterre to see the colonial influences. It's one of the oldest towns in the eastern Caribbean and was originally founded by the French in 1627 when it became the capital of the French colony of St Christoph, which at the time consisted of the northern and southern most parts of the island. The central part of the island was under the control of Britain.

Over time the city became a hugely successful port, and at one time was the capital of the entire French West Indies colony which included the islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe.

In 1727 it became the capital city of St Kitts, as the island came under complete British control. St Kitts has been fought over many times, and its capital city has a somewhat tragic history as it's been destroyed and rebuilt several times. It's quite a small town which is laid out in the form of a grid.

The Main Street is called Fort Street, and is where you'll find the majority of the banks and shops. Independence Square is home to the courthouse, and the Cathedral, and is where you'll find most of the older buildings, The Circus is more tourist oriented and is where you'll find the Berkeley Memorial. The Circus is modelled on Piccadilly Circus, although it somewhat smaller and less busy. The city is very walkable, and it's well worth taking your time to explore historical Basseterre.

Reasons for Buying Property in St Kitts

Lots of people who think about buying Caribbean property automatically turn towards the more well-known islands, but they should look towards St Kitts, as the popularity of this independent island state is growing rapidly. It used to be a British colony, but achieved independence in 1983, and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations and Caricom.

St Kitts has a pleasant year-round climate, and humidity is relatively low. The island only covers about sixty nine square miles, and along with Nevis supports a population of less than 50,000. Due to its lush, tropical nature, St Kitts is often compared to islands in the South Pacific, especially as it has an expanding rainforest that already covers around one quarter of the island. Vegetation thrives in the rich soil provided by the now dormant volcano, Mount Liamuiga, and its crater is a tourist attraction.

Since the sugarcane industry shutdown in 2005, St Kitts has made substantial investments into the tourism industry, and has also worked hard to attract financial services businesses. The Economic Citizenship Program has been in operation since 1984, and this requires investment into government approved property developments. The program allows successful applicants to have a second passport, enabling them to benefit from visa free travel.

Property development on the island tends to be sustainable and in keeping with the natural surroundings, and because of this St Kitts is becoming known as an upmarket tourist destination. Lots of people visit to enjoy the lush surroundings and numerous watersports, but St Kitts has many other attractions, including historical sites, fine dining, and shopping.

Eco-tourism in St Kitts

St Kitts is still a relative newcomer to the tourism industry, as it only took positive steps to promote itself as an upmarket destination once the sugarcane industry finally shut its doors for good in 2005.

This means it's perfectly positioned to be able to ensure the tourism industry develops in a way which is sustainable, and St Kitts has taken measures to make sure its delicate ecosystem is protected. This is extremely sensible as ecotourism is becoming increasingly popular, as people still want to travel and explore, but are more interested in pursuing activities perceived as being ‘green.’

The underwater world around St Kitts is a huge attraction, and it has a worldwide reputation for being pristine. St Kitts is working hard to make sure the coral reefs and marine life are preserved for generations to come and has worked with Philippe Cousteau's Earth Echo, and the Coral Reef Alliance to create protected areas. St Kitts is equally as well known for its lush environment.

Around one quarter of the island is covered in American Oceanic Rainforest, which is one of the rarest kinds of rainforest in the world. The environment on St Kitts is so healthy this rainforest is expanding, and with numerous trails winding through it, it provides a popular tourist attraction. These trails are enjoyed by hikers and mountain bikers and vary greatly as to the degree of difficulty.

The trails take sightseers past streams and waterfalls, and an endless variety of tropical plants and flowers. You don't have to be ultra-fit to experience this, as there are plenty of tour operators offering leisurely walks with a guide, or four-wheel-drive tours. All these natural attractions help make St Kitts quite different from its competitors, and it's easy to see why it's becoming increasingly popular amongst tourists.

Discovering the Culture of St Kitts

The culture on St Kitts has been shaped by numerous different countries to become something unique to the island. Much of the folk culture revolves around Moko-jumbies, masquerades and clowns, and which have been celebrated over hundreds of years. Clowns traditionally perform around Christmas time, and you'll typically see around 50 players in colourful suits decorated with bells. They often wear a pink wire mesh mask which hides the face of the performer, and apparently is meant to depict Europeans.

The Moko-jumbies are something completely different, and are part of West African culture. They are stilt walkers who celebrate West African mythology, and it's thought the name Moko came from the God of vengeance. Others believe Moko refers to the macaw, which is a tall palm tree covered with thorns, as the dancers wear headdresses which resemble the macaw plant when in full bloom. Whatever their origins, they perform wearing long dresses, balanced on 6 to 8 inch stilts.

Masquerades are combination of European and African influences which have gradually evolved over several hundred years, and the masquerade is one of the most popular performances during the carnival. Performers wear headdresses decorated with tall peacock feathers, and the costumes are finished with mirrors, ribbons and bangles. Researchers have identified the dances as having both African and European influences, and all of these traditions are very entertaining and interesting to watch.

The main carnival on St Kitts begins in late December, and includes numerous pageants and parades and festivities which carry on into the New Year. It's a great time to be on St Kitts, especially because the weather is warm and dry, making it the perfect winter escape.

Discovering Mountainous St Kitts

St Kitts is a beautiful Caribbean island which has its very own dormant volcano named Mount Liamuiga. It's one of the major tourist attractions on the island, as visitors to can go right up to the dormant crater, and can choose to take a 4x4 tour to the top, while the more active can hike and explore the island's flora and fauna on the way. This includes numerous birds such as frigate birds, brown boobies, cattle egrets and black whiskered vireos.

The island is also renowned for its exotic flowers, and one quarter is covered in extremely healthy rainforest that is expanding. There are lots of activities available on St Kitts, including mountain biking, horseback riding, or exploring the forest canopy from a zip line.

The waters around St Kitts are teeming with life, and it's a great destination for keen snorkellers and divers. There are numerous reefs and wrecks to explore, and as the water gets pretty deep pretty quickly, there's no need to travel too far. It's a very eco-friendly island, and tourism only took off a few years ago, so the newer resorts are all constructed to be sustainable and to blend in with the natural environment.

In spite of its eco-friendly attitude, St Kitts is a sophisticated destination that attracts upmarket tourists looking for something different. There are plenty of opportunities for shopping and gourmet dining, but St Kitts also benefits from a very rich history, distinguishing it from most of its Caribbean neighbours. Tourists can visit the Brimstone Hill Fortress, a beautifully preserved UNESCO world Heritage site, or can explore the island on the scenic railway, which is the only operational railway in the Caribbean outside Cuba.

Traditional Kittitian Food

St Kitts is a great place to try out new foods. The cuisine is generally Caribbean, but carries Trinidadian and British influences, but there are also many recipes which use Puerto Rico ingredients.

With such rich marine life around the islands it's hardly surprising that the main source of protein is seafood and fish, while the rich volcanic soils produce an enormous variety of exotic fruits and vegetables, as well as many which are more familiar.

The main ingredients for most dishes include coconut, yams, plantain or cassava and are likely to be seasoned with curry, chili, parsley or mint. Most locals tend to prefer light but spicy meals with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

One of the most common dishes to be found on St Kitts is white rice with beans which is generally served with seafood, but the British influence is also easy to find in many places, as lots of recipes use sweet potatoes, and there is also an abundance of European style deserts.

Curried dishes tend to include chicken, goat, duck, beef or shrimp and are likely to come with a curried side dish. Using spices is vitally important in St Kitts cuisine, and they are used both for taste and colour. St Kitts is home to a number of fine dining restaurants, but it's also possible to find cheap and extremely good food in the numerous beach bars. Several local beers are brewed on the island using imported hops, and St Kitts also has several brands of its very own rum.

Exploring the Many, Many Beaches on St Kitts

St Kitts has an abundance of absolutely gorgeous beaches, and most people visiting the island do so because they are hoping to spend at least part of their holiday on the beach. There are beaches for every occasion, and while those on the south of the island are beautiful white sand, those further north become progressively darker due to the islands of volcanic history.

One of the most popular beaches is Friars Bay which is on the Caribbean side. The water is very calm and ideal for swimming. It's a very popular beach and the atmosphere can get pretty lively.

Those who enjoy surfing should head to North Frigate Bay which is on the Atlantic side of the island. It's perfect for just relaxing and windsurfing and surfing, and some of the major hotels are located on this beach. South Frigate Bay is just a short walk away on the Caribbean side so the sea is slightly calmer here, and perfect for swimming and numerous other watersports. It's also one of the liveliest beaches on the island.

If you simply want to get away from it all then head to Sandy Bank which is a relatively sheltered Atlantic beach. It's very quiet and private as there are no restaurants or watersports available. Another quiet, beautiful beach is Banana Bay which is right on the tip of the south-east peninsula.

It's perhaps the classic Caribbean beach with pristine waters and coconut trees, and is blissfully quiet. Those new to diving and snorkelling will probably appreciate Pump Bay which is perfect for beginners. This beautiful black sandy beach lies in the shadow of Brimstone Hill Fortress. St Kitts has a beach for every level of activity, or even inactivity.

Activities on St Kitts

St Kitts has to be one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands to visit, and it's hardly surprising that there are a wide range of outdoors activities available. The mountains are covered in rainforest and it’s very enjoyable to take a hike through the lush vegetation, or even visit Mount Liamuiga which is St Kitts dormant volcano.

If you do want to take a hike in its worth going with a local guide as they are very knowledgeable and are able to identify native plants, local flora and fauna and most also know a lot about the island's history and culture.

Learning which plants are used for medicinal uses and the identity of that bird you just took a photo of can make a trip much more enjoyable. St Kitts is also good for keen golfers, and the beaches are perfect for going horseback riding. Other popular activities revolve around the inviting waters of the Caribbean that are perfect for diving, snorkelling, swimming, sailing and fishing.

The best beaches to be found are around the southern end of the island as they are the classic, picture perfect white sandy beaches. The further north you go the darker the beaches become due to the volcanic origins of the island. The best beaches to visit include Frigate Bay, Friars Bay, Banana Bay, White House Bay and Cockleshell Bay. The beaches on the western side face the Caribbean Sea and tend to be calmer, while those on the eastern side are better for surfing, and are also extremely good for boating.

Exploring Points of Interest on St Kitts

One site that shouldn't be missed by anyone visiting St Kitts is the UNESCO world Heritage site of Brimstone Hill Fortress. This fortress was built to protect the island, as at one stage sugarcane production was so high the island was exceptionally wealthy and would have been an excellent prize for any country.

Brimstone Hill Fortress was built nearly 800 feet above the Caribbean and took more than 100 years to construct. It's easy to see why it was placed here as the views extend all the way from St Martin to Montserrat. British fears were well founded as in 1782 a large French fleet arrived and Brimstone Hill became the scene of one of the largest military battles in the Caribbean. Brimstone Hill Fortress has been beautifully restored, and the views are pretty spectacular as well.

Romney Manor is one of the most attractive plantation homes on the island and is also a well-known artisan centre. The estate was once owned by Sam Jefferson the second, the great, great, great-grandfather of Thomas Jefferson who was the first president of the USA.

It was renamed Romney Manor after it was acquired in the early 17th century by the Earl of Romney. It is notable for being the first estate in St Kitts to emancipate slaves, as Lord Romney declared his slaves to be free men in 1834, contrary to instructions from Britain. The Manor is set in 10 acres of ground, and there is a beautiful 350-year-old Saman tree in its grounds which covers half an acre. These days the manner is best known for being home to Caribelle Batik and is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs.

Exploring Points of Interest in St Kitts Capital City

Perhaps the best place to start exploring St Kitts is in its capital city of Basseterre. It is a French name that simply translates to mean lowland and it's thought it may have merely been a description written on a French sea chart at some point during the early 17th century.

The city has a dramatic backdrop of lush green rainforest, but still has much of its elegant colonial charm which dates back to Nelson's time, and its architecture is far more English than French. The Treasury building is right on the waterfront and as a reminder of the islands days as a major sugar cane producer. At one stage everything departing from St Kitts passed through this building.

The Circus is a roundabout in the centre of the city which has been modelled after Piccadilly Circus. Its centrepiece is the Berkeley Memorial Clock which is an ornate cast iron Georgian styled structure that is painted green. Independence Square was built in 1790 and was originally for council meetings and slave auctions.

It received its current name in 1983 when St Kitts and Nevis received independence from Great Britain. St George's Anglican Church wouldn't be out of place in the English countryside, but was originally called Notre Dame by the French in 1670. However it was destroyed four times before being built in its present Georgian style in 1869. The headstones in the graveyard date right back to the early 18th century.

St Kitts capital city is relatively small and easy to walk around, but it is well worth a visit and makes a very pleasant way to spend a few hours. It also gives a fascinating insight into the history which has shaped this beautiful island.

Experience a Different Kind of Caribbean Island by Visiting St Kitts

St Kitts differs from other Caribbean islands in several ways. The most obvious is the lush vegetation which may seem more reminiscent of a South Pacific island. It is an ideal place for anyone who enjoys being in stunning natural surroundings as one quarter of the island is covered in rainforest which is still expanding.

In the centre of the island is Mount Liamuiga which is a dormant volcano and visitors have the chance to explore its crater. Not surprisingly this lush rainforest is populated by numerous animals and is covered in vibrant tropical flowers.

The second way in which St Kitts differs from other tropical Caribbean islands is that it has a much richer history which is highly visible in the UNESCO world Heritage site of Brimstone Hill Fortress.

St Kitts was often called the Gibraltar of the West Indies, and many plantation owners became incredibly wealthy due to the sugar cane industry which finally closed in 2005. The remnants of the sugarcane industry are still very visible, and St Kitts capital city of Basseterre still has many of its colonial buildings, while the scenic railway which is now a popular tourist attraction was originally built to transport sugarcane into the capital.

Since then St Kitts has been developed into an upmarket tourist destination, and unlike many of its Caribbean neighbours has paid close attention to the way developments are carried out. High-end developments are constructed to be eco-friendly and sustainable, and many are eligible for the islands highly popular citizenship by investment programme. St Kitts is also different from its neighbours in that property here is currently much more affordable, but this situation is likely to last long due to its rapidly increasing popularity.

Appreciating the Natural Beauty of St Kitts

St Kitts has to be one of the most appealing Caribbean destinations, especially as all development has been much more carefully controlled in some of the larger and better known islands. Since its rainforest covers around a quarter of the island and is designated as National Park, it's just about impossible to miss and is certainly worth a visit.

You can take a 4x4 trip or choose from a wide variety of hikes through the forest, and don't miss out on the chance to visit the dormant volcano. It is perfectly safe as it has been quiet for many years, but it's still very interesting to walk up to the crater rim.

Lots of people are drawn to visit the island to view its spectacular marine life. There are a number of reefs which are accessible to divers and snorkellers, and one of the largest is the Coconut Tree Reef. This extends down for around 100 feet and is home to an amazing variety of aquatic life. Another good reef for diving is the Coconut Shallows which is an extension of Coconut Tree Reef.

The island is also a good spot for wreck diving as more than 400 ships were sunk between 1493 and 1825. So far only a dozen has been identified. One of the most popular is the M.V. River Taw which was sunk in 1985. It's a 144 foot freighter which was originally intact but broke into two parts when hurricane Hugo visited the island in 1989. It's perfect for beginners as it's located just 40 feet down.

If you have never tried scuba-diving, then St Kitts is also a lovely place in which to learn and there are many dive schools offering beginners and advanced courses.

Must See Sights and Things to Do in St Kitts

There are so many things to see and do in St Kitts that you're probably find yourself running out of time, but there are some which are simply unmissable. Perhaps the best place to start is by taking a trip on the scenic Railway.

It's a very pleasant way to gain an overview of the island, and is especially good if you have very little spare time. St Kitts is dominated by Mt Liamuiga which is 3,792 feet above sea level. It has been dormant for the last 1600 years and is a huge visitor attraction. The best way to experience it is to book a tour, and this is also a great opportunity to learn about the wide variety of tropical plants and flowers which include many species of orchids.

No visit to St Kitts is complete without a trip to Brimstone Hill Fortress which was originally built by African slaves during the 18th century. It's a great opportunity to learn a little more about the rich history of this island, and keen photographers will discover ample photo opportunities as the views are amazing as it is possible to see for miles on a clear day.

Another historical attraction is Romney Manor house and Gardens which was established at the beginning of the 17th century by the Earl of Romney. In 1834, against the instructions of Parliament, Romney Manor became the first estate in St Kitts to emancipate slaves.

Its gardens are remarkable for having a 350-year-old Saman tree, and it's also a popular location in which to get married. No matter what you like to do on holiday, you're sure to find an activity to suit, and may even get to try or see something completely new.

Sugar Diversification Foundation to Assist Low Income Families in St Kitts

St Kitts hasn't escaped being affected by the global economic crisis and some workers have been laid off, but the Kittitian Prime Minister the Right Honourable Dr Denzil L Douglas has said low income families will receive assistance for building their own homes and starting up small businesses from the Sugar Industry Development Fund, through the Development Bank of St Kitts and Nevis.

The Sugar Diversification Foundation is an important source of funding and stabilisation for the country and affects a number of different areas including tourism, agriculture, housing and education. One of the government's top priorities is to increase home ownership so that ordinary people have appreciating assets, and the Sugar Diversification Foundation can help in cases where low income families face difficulties raising deposits. The foundation also gives aid to small businesses and entrepreneurs who have great ideas but limited resources.

The Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation was set up to help support former sugar workers after the closure of the industry in 2005. Part of its brief was to conduct research into the development of industries suitable to replace the sugarcane industry, and to provide funding to secure their sustainability. The Foundation is also a designated special approved project for anyone applying for citizenship by investment, so anyone contributing $250,000 towards the Foundation can then apply for citizenship by investment.

The Development Bank of St Kitts and Nevis offers new and qualifying businesses interest-free loans from the fund started in 2007 by the government. One of its major aims is to improve the agricultural sector, and in addition the bank is able to provide technical assistance.

St Kitts Tumultuous History

St Kitts has a pretty impressive and often bloody history, but this has contributed greatly towards the colourful culture of this island. In fact the history of St Kitts is notable for being one of the longest written histories in the Caribbean.

The island was named St Christopher by Christopher Columbus after the patron saint of the travellers, but this was eventually shortened to just St Kitts. However the island was inhabited long before this as the first settlers arrived nearly 3,000 years BC, but these early settlers disappeared after just a few hundred years.

It wasn't until around 1300 AD that the Caribbean people arrived on the island, and if it hadn't been for the first European settlers they would have succeeded in colonising the island. Between the 15th and 18th centuries St Kitts saw many wars being fought over her lands.

During this time St Kitts became known for producing tobacco and many planters became very rich. However production was soon overtaken by the colony of Virginia who dominated the world market, and as profits started declining production switched to sugarcane in 1640. Sugarcane production required large amounts of labour and African slaves were brought in to make up the numbers.

This business proved very profitable until slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1834. The sugarcane industry was also affected by new competition in the market from countries such as India, Cuba and Brazil. In spite of this sugarcane production remained important for many years until the industry was finally shut down in 2005. By this stage St Kitts had begun to turn its attention towards its burgeoning tourism industry, and nowadays it is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean.

St Kitts Is the Perfect Island to Invest In

Anyone considering investing in property in the Caribbean should definitely give St Kitts a second look as property here is much more competitively priced than better-known islands, especially as the tourism industry is still becoming established.

Developments such as Oceans Edge tend to be of an extremely high quality and are aimed at attracting the more discerning tourist. Many of the properties available for sale come with management schemes already in place that will take over renting the property while it isn't in use. This is the perfect way to enjoy your property whenever you wish to while still earning an income on your investment.

Many people choose to invest in St Kitts due to the citizenship by investment programme which allows those who have made significant investments in the country to apply for citizenship. This scheme has been running since 1984 and applicants have to make a minimum investment into property of $250,000.

In addition they need to pay a registration fee of $35,000 for the primary applicant with an additional fee of $15,000 for each additional applicant. These fees do not have to be paid until citizenship has been approved by the government.

Once approval has been given then the investor receives a government certificate of registration as well as an additional passport. It is questionable as to how advantageous this passport is to anyone who already has a European or North American passport, but for those who live outside these countries it allows visa free access to more than 65 countries throughout the world.

Exploring Beautiful St Kitts

If you are looking for a Caribbean destination with a difference then why not consider St Kitts? It is one of the lesser known Caribbean islands as it is relatively new to tourism. Prior to 2005 the island concentrated on its sugarcane industry, but when this declined it turned its attention to attracting tourists.

The fact that it is such a new destination is a major advantage for anyone visiting the island as St Kitts has learned from mistakes made by other better-known Caribbean islands. It has been carefully developed to attract tourists looking for something a little different and who are looking for a luxury destination with plenty to do.

Tourism development has been carefully controlled and is designed to fit in with the lush natural environment. More than a quarter of the island has been set aside as a National Park, and the rainforest is so healthy it's actually expanding.

You can explore the rainforest through hiking or even take a zip line over the canopy, or you can climb to the edge of the volcano and take a guided trip down to the crater floor. The surrounding waters teeming with wildlife and are perfect for anyone who enjoys diving, especially as the dive sites are particularly pristine.

If you prefer your holidays to have a little culture then St Kitts is the perfect destination. It was once known as the Gibraltar of the West Indies due to the number of battles fought in the 18th century. Brimstone Hill Fortress is a designated UNESCO world Heritage site which pays tribute to this past. St Kitts has something for everyone, and it's up to you whether you have a relaxing beach break or a holiday crammed full of activities.