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| Official language | English | ||
| Political status | State in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis | ||
| Premier | Joseph Parry | ||
| Deputy Governor-General | Eustace John | ||
| President, Nevis Island Assembly | Marjorie Morton | ||
| Capital | Charlestown, Nevis | ||
| Area - Total | (Not ranked) 35.9 sq. mi. (93 km²) | ||
| Population - Density | 12,106 (2006) 130/km² | ||
| Airport - Code | Vance W. Amory International IATA: NEV, ICAO: TKPN | ||
Nevis (pronounced nee-vis) is an island in the Caribbean, located near the northern end of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, about 220 miles (350 km) southeast of Puerto Rico and 50 miles (80 km) west of Antigua. The 36 square-mile (93 km²) island is part of the inner arc of the Leeward Islands chain. The capital of Nevis is Charlestown.
Nevis, along with Saint Kitts, forms the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The two islands are separated by a shallow 2-mile (3.22 km) channel, known as "The Narrows". Nevis is conical in shape, with a volcanic peak, Nevis Peak, at the centre. It is fringed on three sides by long sand beaches, and has a coastline intermittently protected by coral reefs. The most popular beach is the 4-mile (6.44 km) long Pinney's Beach, on the western or Caribbean coast. The gently sloping coastal plain (0.6 miles/1 km wide) has natural fresh water springs, as well as non-potable volcanic hot springs, especially along the west coast.
The island was named Oualie ("Land of Beautiful Waters") by the Caribs and Dulcina ("Sweet Island") by the early British settlers. The name Nevis is derived from the Spanish, Nuestra Señora de las Nieves or Our Lady of the Snows and appear on maps first in the 16th century.
The majority of the approximately 12,000 citizens of Nevis are of primarily African descent. English is the official language, and the literacy rate, 98 percent, is one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Nevis is of particular historical significance to Americans because it was the birthplace and early childhood home of Alexander Hamilton. For British people, Nevis is the place where Horatio Nelson as a young sea captain, was stationed, and where he met and married Frances Nisbet, a young plantation widow.
Nevis Pictures
Note: Pictures above courtesy of Flickr.Com
