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.