NEVIS QUICK FACTS

Geography and Demography

Location - The island of Nevis lies in the northern part of the Leeward Islands group of the Lesser Antilles in the Eastern Caribbean 17º 15' North, 62º 40' West

Land Area - 93.2 sq km (36 sq miles)

Capital City - Charlestown

Airport - The Vance W Amory International Airport

Population - 11,245 consisting of people mainly of African origin in addition to European, Indian & Spanish

Population Workforce - Approximately 5,500

Language - English

Literacy Rate - 98%

Life Expectancy - Over 70 years

Climate - Tropical temperatures year-round averaging 79 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Centigrade) with steady, cooling breezes throughout most of the year.  Average rainfall is 55 inches (1,397mm)

Time - Atlantic Standard Time throughout the year

Time Zone - EST +1/0; GMT -4/-5 hours

Country Phone Code - 869

Currency - Eastern Caribbean $(ECD), however the US $ is widely accepted

Electricity - 220/240 and 110/120 volts

Telecommunications - 

• Cable & Wireless -  Telephone connection lines.  Cellular Mobile Telephones, Direct Dialing, Leased Circuits, Internet,     Voice Mail and ISDN services
• Digicel - Cellular Mobile Telephones
• UTS CariGlobe - Cellular Mobile Telephones

Radio & Television - Nevis is served by 2 TV stations, one offering 56 cable channels and 3 local channels.  There are 3 radio stations.  There are 5 newspapers in the Federation and regional & international newspapers are also readily available on a daily basis. There is also online media services available.

Internet Services - Available at Public Library & Internet Outlets, etc

Major Industries - Financial Services, Tourism & Agriculture

Government & Legal System

Government - Forms part of the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis separated by a two-mile wide strait

Head of Government - Honorable Vance Amory, Premier of Nevis

Political Status - Independent democratic with elections held every 5 years

Constitution - Base upon the British Parliamentary System

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

Date of Independence - 19 September 1983

Motto - Country Above Self

National Dish - Stew Salt Fish, Spicy Plantain, Coconut Dumpling and Season Breadfruit

National Flower - Poinciana, locally know as the Flamboyant

National Bird - Pelican

Health Care

Health Regulation - No vaccinations currently required for visitors entry into the country

Hospital - The Alexandra Hospital

Community Health Centres - 6

Dental Clinics - 2

Doctors practicing in Nevis - 10*

Dentists - 4

Pharmacies - 3

Nursing Homes & Infirmaries - 3

*Additional specialist medical practitioners from throughout the region visit the island and attend to patients on a regular basis.