Both St. Kitts and Nevis are volcanic islands, a fact to which they owe their dramatic central mountains, their rather unpredictable geologic history, and their lush tropical vegetation. In fact, St. Kitts' pre-Columbian Carib inhabitants knew their island as Liamuiga, or "fertile land," a reference to the island's rich and productive volcanic soil.

Nevis is the smaller of the twin islands state, St. Kitts and Nevis. It is said that when Columbus sailed by in 1493 and saw the cloud capped mountain reminding him of snow, he named the island “Nevis” which means “Our Lady of the Snows.”  Nevis is green and lush with rainforest and tropical flower gardens. On any day you can take a hike through the rainforest to the top of Nevis Peak (3,232 feet) or just explore the ruins of an old sugar plantation, a lime kiln, an Amerindian site or try a hand at archeology. Or your may prefer to just sit back and listen to the chatter of green vervet monkeys or the cooing of doves, or stroll around and see the ancient architecture of its churches, windmills and Great Houses.

These 36 square miles of paradise is one of the few remaining unspoiled places, a true haven for nature lovers that has a world of flora and fauna just waiting to be explored. Nevis is paradise for nature lovers. Just listen to the monkeys chattering in the trees, the doves cooing in the distance. There is excellent snorkeling just offshore and scuba diving around wrecks and natural reefs. Nevis, too, has plenty to keep sportsmen and women busy – its 18-hole championship course, often voted the Caribbean's best, was designed by Robert Trent Jones II – but the pace of life is even more relaxed.

The beaches are pristine and uncrowded and you can go and enjoy your favorite watersports from sailing to windsurfing to jet skiing. There is also excellent snorkeling just offshore and great scuba diving around wrecks and natural reefs. You can also join in a night beach walk where you get to study the stars in their element away from the glares of the cities

Nevis is special, a place you’ll want to visit again and again. And as they say on the island, “You’re only a stranger here once.”

ESSENTIAL FACTS –
LANGUAGE: English is the official language. English patois is widely spoken.
CAPITAL CITY: Basseterre, St Kitts and the chief settlement on Nevis is Charlestown
POPULATION: 43,000
AREA: St. Kitts covers 68 sq miles (176 sq KM) & Nevis 36 sq miles (93 Sq KM)
CURRENCY: Eastern Caribbean Dollar, US$1=EC2.68
DEPARTURE TAX: There is a departure tax of $60 XCD (about $22 USD) payable in cash, or by credit card, at the airport.
WHAT TO WEAR & LOCAL ETIQUETTE: Light summer clothing may be worn all year. Dress is informal, even at elegant hotels and plantation inns.  Dress for dinner is generally “casually elegant.” Jackets and ties are not required for men at any of the restaurants.. Nudity is not permitted at any beach. Swim wear or scant clothing should never be worn in towns or villages.  Before taking photographs of residents, it’s respectful to ask their permission. Do this when photographing people, their children, and their personal property, including their homes.   Join in with the local ritual of saying “good morning” and “good afternoon” even to total strangers.
ELECTRICITY: 230 volts single phase, 400 volts 3 phase, AC 60 cycles. Some hotels have 110 volts.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: The international dialling code for St Kitts & Nevis is +1 869 followed by a seven-digit number beginning 465 in St Kitts and 469 in Nevis. On either island, use all seven digits.  Internet service is available through a local server, Caribsurf, run by the phone company
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Citizens of Canada need only to present proof of citizenship – preferably a passport or birth certificate with the raised seal – in order to enter St. Kitts-Nevis.  If the birth certificate is used, it must be accompanied by a government issued photo ID (a drivers licence, for example) showing the same name.  Where applicable, documentation of a legal name change (for example, a marriage certificate) must also be presented.  Citizens of the United States, however, are required to have passports in order to re-enter that country.  As such a valid passport is a required travel document when travelling to the Caribbean.  Additionally, proof of sufficient funds and a return or onward passage might be required.
POLITICAL STATUS: An independent nation; member of the British Commonwealth
LITERACY RATE: The island has a 98% literacy level and its CXC and GCE results are among the highest in the Caribbean.
LEGAL SYSTEM: The legal system is based on English Common Law served by a high court of justice, a Court of Appeal and her Majesty's Privy Council in London. St. Kitts has agreed to be included in the Caribbean Court of Appeals Circuit.
RELIGIONS: There are a number of different churches on St.Kitts & Nevis. The predominant religion is the Christian faith. However, there are small Rastafarian, Orthodox and other communities.