this little island has come a long way in its’ almost-a-million birthdays.

In geological terms, Nevis in its present configuration is a relatively new island. Nevis Peak is approximately 980,000 years of age, but older rocks have been found elsewhere on the island. Nevis has been home to at least thirteen volcanoes at different times in its history. During the last Ice Age when the sea level was around 200 feet lower than at present, Nevis, St. Kitts, Statia and Saba were one island.

and some of the battles that have unfolded here are blockbuster movie worthy.

It is difficult in today’s context to understand why tiny Nevis was a focal point of European Imperial adventures in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was basically because of the vast riches generated for a time by Caribbean sugar production. As an example, from the years 1715 through 1717, the value of goods produced in all of Britain’s North American colonies was 382,576 pounds sterling. The value of goods produced in the British Leeward Islands of Nevis, St. Kitts, Antigua, Montserrat, Saba, and Barbuda was 403,394 pounds sterling.

~ Vincent K. Hubbard

as most of you know by now, i’ve developed a bit of a soft spot for this darling island. and while Hubbard’s writing is a little chronologically confusing, you can tell he’s done a lot of research in this recent (2002) book. it was recommended to me by a good friend and i’d pass it along to anyone interested in learning more about this 36-square-mile corner of the world.

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