Nevis

The written history of Nevis begins with the account recorded by Columbus when he sailed by Nevis in 1493. The name Nevis is derived from "Nuestra Senora de Las Nieves" which means "Our Lady of the Snows", because of the cloud-capped mountain reminding Columbus of snow.
Before the Columbus saga, Nevis was named Dulcina "Sweet Island" by the Arawaks and later Oualie "Land of Beautiful Waters" by the Caribs.

Later in the 18th century Nevis became known as "Queen of the Caribees." Evidence of pre-ceramic people finely crafted stone tools and intricately coloured pottery was found.

Nevis continued to be part of the British colonial holdings until 1967 when it achieved Associated Statehood with St. Kitts. In 1983 September 19, Nevis became part of an independent nation and formed part of the sovereign democratic state of St. Christopher and Nevis. It has the unique constitutional arrangement of being part of the Federal Parliament while having a separate parliament of its own and its own Nevis Island Administration headed by a Premier.

pictures copyright: Nevis Tourism Authority www.nevisisland.com