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List of
Banks in the Caribbean
List of Banks in Saint Kitts & Nevis
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis,
also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis), located in
the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island nation in the West Indies.
It is the smallest sovereign nation in the Americas, in both area and
population.
The capital city and headquarters of government for the federated state
is Basseterre on the larger island of Saint Kitts. The smaller state of
Nevis lies about 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Saint Kitts, across a
shallow channel called "The Narrows".
Historically, the British dependency of Anguilla was also a part of this
union, which was then known collectively as Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla.
Saint Kitts and Nevis are geographically part of the Leeward Islands. To
the north-northwest lie the islands of Saint Eustatius, Saba, Saint
Barthélemy, and Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten. To the east and northeast are
Antigua and Barbuda, and to the southeast is the small uninhabited
island of Redonda, and the island of Montserrat, which currently has an
active volcano (see Soufrière Hills).
Saint Kitts and Nevis were amongst the first islands in the Caribbean to
be settled by Europeans. Saint Kitts was home to the first British and
French colonies in the Caribbean.
Bank Of Nevis Ltd.
Address: Henville Bldg., Charlestown
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 450
Phone: (1-869) 469-5906
Fax: (1-869) 469-4798
Bank of Nova Scotia
Address: Main Street Charlestown
Phone: (1-869) 469-5411
Fax: (1-869) 469-0231
Development Bank Of St Kitts & Nevis
Address: Corner Of Church & Central Streets
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 249, Basseterre
Phone: (1-869) 465-2288
Fax: (1-869) 465-4016
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
Address: Bird Rock Road
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 89 Basseterre
Phone: (1-869) 465-2537 / (1-869) 465-9562
Fax: (1-869) 465-5614
FirstCaribbean International Bank Ltd.
Address: Main Street, Charlestown
Phone: (1-869) 469-5309
Fax: (1-869) 469-5106
FirstCaribbean International Bank Ltd.
Address: The Circus
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 42 Basseterre
Phone: (1-869) 465-2449
Fax: (1-869) 465-1041
National Bank Ltd.
Address: Central Street
Mailing Address: Box 343 P.O.
Phone: (1-869) 465-2204
Fax: (1-869) 466-7385
RBTT Bank (SKN) Limited
Address: Corner Main & Chapel Street
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 673 Charlestown
Phone: (1-869) 469-5277
Fax: (1-869) 469-1493
Royal Bank Of Canada
Address: The Circus, Basseterre
Phone: (1-869) 465-2389 / (1-869) 465-2409
Fax: (1-869) 465-1040
Scotiabank is proud to maintain a presence
in both St. Kitts and Nevis. With 2 branches in St. Kitts and 1 in Nevis,
we are pleased to offer an extensive range of retail and commercial
services.
More information about the products and services available in St. Kitts
and Nevis can be found on the Scotiabank St. Kitts and Nevis website at:
www.stkittsandnevis.scotiabank.com
To find out more about Scotiabank products and services available in St.
Kitts and Nevis, please contact Bank:
Phone: (869) 465-4141
Fax: (869) 465-8600
Mail: Box 433
Basseterre, St. Kitts
E-mail:bns.stkitts@scotiabank.com
SWIFT: NOSCKNSK
Etymology
Saint Kitts was named "Liamuiga" by the Kalinago Indians who inhabited
the island. This name, roughly translated in English means "fertile land",
a testimony to the island's rich volcanic soil and high productivity.
Nevis's pre-Columbian name was "Oualie", which translates to "land of
beautiful waters", presumably referred to the island's many freshwater
springs and hot volcanic springs.
Christopher Columbus, upon sighting what we now call Nevis in 1498, gave
that island the name San Martin (Saint Martin). However, the confusion
of numerous, poorly charted small islands in the Leeward Island chain,
meant that the name ended up being accidentally transferred to another
island, the one which we now know as the French/Dutch island Saint-Martin/Sint
Maarten.
The current name "Nevis" is derived from a Spanish name Nuestra Señora
de las Nieves (The original name was the archaic Spanish "Noestra Siñora
delas Neves"), by a process of abbreviation and anglicization. This
Spanish name means Our Lady of the Snows. It is not known who chose this
name for the island, but it is a reference to the story of a 4th century
Catholic miracle: a snowfall on the Esquiline Hill in Rome. Presumably
the white clouds which usually wreathe the top of Nevis Peak reminded
someone of the story of a miraculous snowfall in a hot climate. The
island of Nevis, upon first British settlement was referred to as "Dulcina",
a name meaning "sweet one". Its original Spanish name, "Nuestra Señora
de las Nieves", was eventually kept however, though it was soon
shortened to "Nevis".
There is some disagreement over the name which Columbus gave to St.
Kitts. For many years it was thought that he named the island San
Cristobal, after his patron saint Saint Christopher, the saint of
travelling. However, new studies suggest that Columbus named the island
Sant Yago (Saint James). The name "San Cristobal" was apparently given
by Columbus to the island now known as Saba, 20 miles northwest. It
seems that "San Cristobal" came to be applied to the island of St. Kitts
only as the result of a mapping error. No matter the origin of the name,
the island was well documented as "San Cristobal" by the 17th century.
The first British colonists kept the English translation of this name,
and dubbed it "St. Christopher's island". In the 17th century Kit, or
Kitt, was a common abbreviation for the name Christopher, and so the
island was often informally referred to as "Saint Kitt's island", which
was further shortened to "Saint Kitts".
Today, the Constitution refers to the nation as both "Saint Kitts and
Nevis" and "Saint Christopher and Nevis", but "Saint Kitts and Nevis" is
the form commonly used both at home and abroad.
History
Main article: History of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Battle of Saint Kitts, 1782, as described by an observer in a French
engraving titled "Attaque de Brimstomhill".Five thousand years prior to
European arrival, the island was settled by Native Americans. The latest
arrivals, the Kalinago peoples, arrived approximately three centuries
before the Europeans. The islands were discovered by a Spanish
expedition under Columbus in 1493. In 1538, French Huguenots established
a settlement on St. Kitts but shortly after the settlement was destroyed
by the Spanish and the survivors were deported. In 1623, an English
settlement was established, which was soon followed by French
settlements, the island being divided by agreement. The Kalinago people
on the island allowed Europeans to colonise Saint Kitts, unlike the
natives on other islands. In 1626, the Anglo-French settlers massacred
the Kalinago.
The island of Nevis was colonised in 1628 by British settlers from Saint
Kitts. From there, Saint Kitts became the premier base for British and
French expansion, as the islands of Antigua, Montserrat, Anguilla and
Tortola for the British, and Martinique, the Guadeloupe archipelago and
St. Barths for the French were colonised from it.
A Spanish expedition, sent to enforce Spanish claims, occupied both
islands and deported the English and French settlers back to their
respective countries in 1629. However, they soon returned and re-established
their colonies. During the late 17th and early 18th century, the two
nations battled for control over the island until it was ceded to the
British in 1713.
Although small in size, and separated by only 2 miles (3 km) of water,
the two islands were viewed and governed as different states until the
late 19th century, when they were forcibly unified along with the island
of Anguilla by the British. To this day relations are strained, with
Nevis accusing Saint Kitts of neglecting its needs.
Saint Kitts and Nevis, along with Anguilla, became an associated state
with full internal autonomy in 1967. Angullians rebelled, and their
island was allowed to separate from the others in 1971. St. Kitts and
Nevis achieved independence in 1983. It is the newest sovereign nation
in the Americas. In August 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to
separate from St. Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed.
In late September 1998, Hurricane Georges caused approximately
$412,000,000 in damages and limited GDP growth for the year.
Alexander Hamilton, the first United States Secretary of the Treasury,
was born in Nevis; he spent his childhood there and on St. Croix, then
belonging to Denmark, and now one of the United States Virgin Islands.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis
The country is an independent Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II
as its head of state, represented in St. Kitts and Nevis by a Governor-General,
who acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The prime
minister is the leader of the majority party of the House, and the
cabinet conducts affairs of state.
St. Kitts and Nevis has a unicameral legislature, known as the National
Assembly. It is composed of fourteen members: eleven elected
Representatives (three from the island of Nevis) and three Senators who
are appointed by the Governor-General. Two of the senators are appointed
on the advice of the Prime Minister, and one on the advice of the leader
of the opposition. Unlike in other countries, senators do not constitute
a separate Senate or upper house of parliament, but sit in the National
Assembly, alongside representatives. All members serve five-year terms.
The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are responsible to the Parliament.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a full and participating member of the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean
States (OECS).
Administration
Main article: Parishes of Saint Kitts and Nevis
The federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is divided into fourteen
parishes: nine divisions on Saint Kitts and five on Nevis. They are as
follows:
[show]v • d • eCountries and Parishes of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts Christ Church Nichola Town · Saint Anne Sandy Point · Saint
George Basseterre · Saint John Capisterre · Saint Mary Cayon · Saint
Paul Capisterre · Saint Peter Basseterre · Saint Thomas Middle Island ·
Trinity Palmetto Point
Nevis Saint George Gingerland · Saint James Windward · Saint John
Figtree · Saint Paul Charlestown · Saint Thomas Lowland
Parishes of Saint Kitts and Nevis.Geography
Main article: Geography of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Map of Saint Kitts and NevisSee also: List of cities in Saint Kitts and
Nevis and List of volcanoes in Saint Kitts and Nevis
View of Nevis from St. Kitts.The country has two main islands, Saint
Kitts and Nevis. The highest peak, at 1,156 metres, is Mount Liamuiga.
The islands are of volcanic origin, with large central peaks covered in
tropical rainforest; the steeper slopes leading to these peaks are
mostly uninhabited. The majority of the population on both islands lives
closer to the sea where the terrain flattens out. There are numerous
rivers descending from the mountains of both islands, which provide
fresh water to the local population. St. Kitts also has one small lake.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a twin-island federation whose economy is
characterised by its dominant tourism, agriculture and light
manufacturing industries. Sugar was the primary export from the 1640s on,
but rising production costs, low world market prices, and the
government's efforts to reduce dependence on it have led to a growing
diversification of the agricultural sector. In 2005, the government
decided to close down the state-owned sugar company, which had
experienced losses and was a significant contributor to the fiscal
deficit. Former sugar plantations still dominate the St. Kitts landscape,
however many of the cane fields are being burned to make room for land
development, especially on the northern side of the island, in the
parishes of Saint John Capisterre and Christchurch. The agricultural,
tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore-banking sectors are
being developed and are now taking larger roles in the country’s
economy. The growth of the tourism sector has become the main foreign
exchange earner for Saint Kitts and Nevis. The country has also
developed a successful apparel assembly industry and one of the largest
electronics assembly industries in the Caribbean.
During the 1990s, Saint Kitts and Nevis registered an annual GDP growth
of 5.5 percent, but the strong growth was interrupted by devastating
hurricanes in 1998 and 1999. Post-hurricane reconstruction led to an
economic resumption in 2000 with GDP growing 6.2 percent. The year 2001
began well enough although the post-hurricane construction boom was over
and growth was slowing from its 2000 rate. But after September 11,
tourism arrivals dropped off precipitously and activity in related
sectors of the economy such as road construction and retail sales
declined along with tourism. As a result, the GDP growth declined
substantially in 2001 and 2002. Economic activity has recovered since
2003, mainly driven by strong growth in tourism. In view of its high
level of public debt, the country needs a prudent fiscal policy to
ensure sustainable economic growth.
For a number of years this Caribbean paradise has been dependent on
tourism to drive its economy. One such project driving the tourism of
St. Kitts and Nevis is the new Ocean's Edge development. As well as
driving the economy through tourism Ocean’s Edge is also an approved
project of the Citizenship by Investment Programme of the Federation of
St. Kitts and Nevis provided for in the Citizenship Act 1984. Purchasers
who make a minimum investment of US$350,000* in a unit or a villa plot
will be entitled to apply for Citizenship of the Federation of St. Kitts
and Nevis.
Economic growth is currently being supported by new programs that are
being developed to help improve the local communities in Saint Kitts. By
2012, A development on Saint Kitts, Kittitian Hill (also approved for
citizenship by investment), will be a centre point for improving the
economy by leading several new community programs such as:
A Hospitality Institute that will train local people in the hospitality
trade rather than simply importing skilled workers.
An Agricultural Extension Programme that will work with the local
farming community to assist in the selection of sustainable crops and
farming techniques such as organic farming. There will also be a regular
Saturday Farmers Market, allowing direct trading between guests and
farmers.
A Computer and Internet Access Programme that will introduce the
one-laptop-per-child programme in the surrounding communities and assist
getting children broadband internet access and suitable online training.
A Small Business Development Programme that will encourage
entrepreneurship in the immediate community and the development of small
business.
Continued development from within Saint Kitts is planned and it will
continue to support future economic growth of the Island.
Education
See also: List of schools in Saint Kitts and Nevis
There are seven publicly administered high/secondary level schools in St
Kitts-Nevis, and several private secondary schools.
Public high/secondary schools
Cayon High School (CHS)
Basseterre High School (BHS)
Washington Archibald High School (WAHS)
Verchilds High School (VHS)
Sandy Point High School (SPHS)
Charlestown Secondary School (CSS)
Gingerland Secondary School (GSS)
Saddlers High School
Private high/secondary schools
St Theresa's Convent School and St. Joseph's School -
Merged in 2010 to form Immaculate Conception Catholic School -
Kindergarten to Grade 11 - the traditional Caribbean final secondary
school grade.
Lyn Jeffers Secondary School
Lyn Jeffers Primary School
Saint Christopher Preparatory school
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Saint Kitts and Nevis
African descent 90.4%, mulatto 5%, Indo-Pakistani 3%, British,
Portuguese, Lebanese 1%, Other 0.6%
As of July 2000[update], there were 42,696 inhabitants; their average
life expectancy was 72.4 years. Emigration has historically been very
high, and high levels of such in the country has resulted in a
continuous decrease in the nation's population by about 25% since its
peak of about 51,100 in 1960.
Emigration from St. Kitts & Nevis to the United States:
1986–1990: 3,513
1991–1995: 2,730
1996–2000: 2,101
2001–2005: 1,756
Emigration from St. Kitts & Nevis to the United Kingdom:
The 2001 Census showed 7,091 Saint Kitts and Nevis born people in the
UK, with almost 20,000 of direct descent.
Culture
Main article: Culture of St. Kitts and Nevis
See also: Music of Saint Kitts and Nevis, J'ouvert, and Saint Kitts
Creole
The Mongoose Play, a popular production of folk theatre and musicSaint
Kitts and Nevis is known for a number of musical celebrations including
Carnival (18 December to 3 January on Saint Kitts). The last week in
June features the St Kitts Music Festival, while the week-long Culturama
on Nevis lasts from the end of July into early August.
Additional festivals on the island of Saint Kitts include Inner City
Fest, in February in Molineaux; Green Valley Festival, usually around
Whit Monday in village of Cayon; Easterama, around Easter in village of
Sandy Point; Fest-Tab, in July or August in the village of Tabernacle;
and La festival de Capisterre, around Independence Day in Saint Kitts
and Nevis (19 September), in the Capisterre region. These celebrations
typically feature parades, street dances and salsa, jazz, soca, calypso
and steelpan music.
Sports
See also: Cricket in the West Indies and Rugby union in Saint Kitts and
Nevis
Cricket is common in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Top players are contributed
to the West Indies cricket team. Runako Morton a current middle-order
batsman on the main squad, is from Nevis. Saint Kitts and Nevis is the
smallest nation on Earth to ever host a World Cup event; it was one of
the host venues of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
The St. Kitts and Nevis national football team, also known as the "Sugar
Boyz", has experienced some international success in recent years,
progressing to the semifinal round of qualification for the 2006 FIFA
World Cup in the CONCACAF region. Led by Glence Glasgow they defeated
U.S. Virgin Islands and Barbados before they were outmatched by Mexico,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Billiard Federation - SKNBF, is the governing
body for cue sports across the two islands. The SKNBF is a member of the
Caribbean Billiards Union - CBU, with the SKNBF President Ste Williams
holding the post of CBU Vice President.
Kim Collins is the country's foremost track and field athlete. He has
won gold medals in the 100 metres at both the World Championships in
Athletics and Commonwealth Games, and at the 2000 Sydney Olympics he was
the country's first athlete to reach an Olympic final. He and three
other athletes represented St. Kitts and Nevis at the 2008 Summer
Olympics in Beijing.
American writer and former figure skater and triathlete Kathryn Bertine
was granted dual citizenship in an attempt to make the 2008 Summer
Olympics representing St. Kitts and Nevis in women's cycling. Her story
was chronicled online at ESPN.com as a part of its E-Ticket feature
entitled "So You Wanna Be An Olympian?" She ultimately failed to earn
the necessary points for Olympic qualification.
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