About St. Kitts & Nevis
Location
The twin-island nation of St. Kitts & Nevis is located in the northern section of the Eastern Caribbean, approximately 1,300 miles southeast of Miami, Florida.History
The name St. Kitts is a shortened form of its official name, St. Christopher, given to it by Christopher Columbus when he first landed there in 1493. The inhabitants call themselves Kittitians. Nevis is named after the Spanish word for snow--not because there is any!--but because of a white cloud surrounding the island's single peak. The inhabitants are known as Nevisians. St. Kitts became Britain's first colony in the West Indies with the founding of a settlement in 1623. In 1983, the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis gained independence as a two-island nation within the British Commonwealth. In 2004 the St. Kitts Labour Party, headed by Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas Prime Minister won its third consecutive General Election.Present day
Today, St. Kitts & Nevis is developing a distinct style and culture. One of the more recent international financial centres to emerge in the world it can offer every investor what he or she is looking for. St. Kitts is the home of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Stock Exchange, which are two important pillars of the Regional Financial Sector. A range of enabling legislation and competent service providers can facilitate any investment need in the market. There is no income tax, corporation tax or withholding tax on profits in the Federation. Company formation is a straightforward process.Maritime Affairs
The St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry (SKANReg), an International Open register, falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Public Works, Utilities, Transport & Posts. Its management systems have been accredited to ISO 9001:2000 by ABS QE (Quality Assurance Certificate)St. Kitts & Nevis is a member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
There are no restrictions on ownership of St. Kitts and Nevis ships, this being available to both local and foreign corporations and individuals. Appointment of a Maritime Resident Agent in the Federation, is required.
The capitals and Ports of Registry of St. Kitts & Nevis are respectively, Basseterre & Charlestown. With its Operational Head Office located in the suburbs of London, UK, SKANReg spans the office opening hours of most major shipping & business centres.
The International Registrar of Shipping & Seamen is the sole authority for the Registration of St. Kitts & Nevis Ships and Seamen, reporting to the Director of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Public Works, Utilities, Transport & Posts whose office is in St. Kitts. The Registrar controls the issuance of all documentation issued on behalf of SKANReg.
A network of Maritime Registrar Offices around the world assist the Registrar in registering ships and are allowed to issue pertinent documentation when authorised by the Registrar to help the ship owner avoid any delays. All applications are processed with a quick turnaround time.
Authorised Classification Societies/RO’s carry out statutory surveys and issue certificates on behalf of the Registry.
A competitive fee structure and fast-turnaround of Applications assist ship owners in today’s world of commercial pressures and instant communication. Mortgages can be registered.
The Nation of St. Kitts & Nevis
NATIONAL FLAG
The National flag of St. Kitts & Nevis features green for our fertile lands, yellow for our year-round sunshine, black for our African heritage, and red for our struggle from slavery through colonialism to independence. It also displays two white stars on a black diagonal bar, symbols of hope and liberty.COAT OF ARMS
The centre of the coat of arms is dominated by a shield at the base of which is a lighter in full sail, A red chevron is highlighted by two Poinciana flowers. At the top of the shield is the head of a Carib, supported by the fleur-de-lis and a rose. These symbols represent the early inhabitants of the islands, and the influences of the French and English.
NATIONAL FLOWER
The national flower is the Poinciana or flamboyant, named after Monsieur de Poincy,
the first French Governor of St. Kitts, who is said to have introduced it to the
region. Its scientific name is Delonix Regia and it is said to have originated
in Madagascar. The flamboyant is one of the most striking trees of the tropics,
with its umbrella-shaped crown, and its compound deciduous leaves, and red and
yellow scalloped flowers followed by long, black seedpods. It blooms from May
to August.
NATIONAL BIRD
The national bird is the brown pelican, Pelecanus Occidentalis. In its youth,
it is brown on the head, neck and upper parts of the body, and mostly white below.
As it matures, the majority of the body becomes dark brown while the upper part
of the head turns white. During the postnuptial molt the adult's neck turns white.
The neck and head are not extended during flight. Brown pelicans are sometimes
solitary feeders but may also be found in small flocks as they feed on schools
of fish near the surface of the sea. They can be found throughout the West Indies
and in the sub-tropic regions of the Americas. They nest in colonies along the
coast in low trees and in bushes
NATIONAL ANTHEM
0 Land of Beauty!Our country where peace abounds,
Thy children stand free
On the strength of will and love.
With God in all our struggles,
St. Kitts and Nevis be
A Nation bound together,
With a common destiny.
As stalwarts we stand
For justice and liberty.
With wisdom and truth
We will serve and honour thee.
No sword nor spear can conquer
For God will sure defend.
His blessings shall forever
To posterity extend.