Brown Pelican - Saint Christopher and Nevis

There are two volcanoes located in Saint Kitts and Nevis: Mount Liamuiga and Nevis Peak. Mount Liamuiga is dormant; its last known eruption occurring 1,800 years ago. Nevis Peak, a stratovolcano, features a large number of fumaroles, hot spots along the side of the volcano emitting steam and gas.

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Pelecanus occidentalis - Pelicans are characterized by large beaks and throat pouches used for catching and holding prey. The brown pelican is the smallest pelican; there are currently eight extant species. The Peruvian and brown pelican are the only two pelicans known to dive into the water to catch their prey. Juveniles tend to forge on the surface, but take to diving when mature. Pelicans build their nest in colonies. The males chooses the nesting site and begins a display ritual during the construction phase to attract a female.

Sugar Cane - Saint Christopher and Nevis

Saccharum officinarum - Sugar cane, a member of the grass family, is cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries throughout the world. Sugar cane grows to a height of 3 to 6 meters and has stems 2 to 5 centimeters thick. The plant is endemic to South and Southeast Asia. Prior to the huge crops made available from the Americas, sugar was sold in Europe by the gram weight as a luxury item. It is a major crop with over 120 countries producing an astonishing 180 million tonnes of sugar.

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Saint Christopher and Nevis serve as the headquarters for the Eastern Caribbean dollar, a currency used by eight of the nine members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; six independent nations and two British territories. The currency zone has been in place since 1965, succeeding the British West Indies dollar. The Eastern Caribbean dollar, abbreviated as EC$, is issued by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, located in Basseterre, the largest city on the island of Saint Christopher.

Historical Flags of Saint Christopher and Nevis

The island of Anguilla had been part of the British colony of Saint Christopher and Nevis. In 1967, Anguilla briefly declared itself as the Republic of Anguilla; the island returned to British control in 1969. Nevis is the smaller of the two islands in the Saint Christopher and Nevis federation. A 1998 referendum failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority votes required for Nevis to be allowed to separate from Saint Christopher. The West Indies Federation was a short-lived political union consisting of several British controlled territories in the Caribbean. Port of Spain, located on Trinidad, served as the capital. The West Indies Federation was dissolved in 1962 with the eventful formation of 9 separate countries. From 1967 until 1983, the flag for the British colony of Saint Christopher, Nevis and Anguilla was a tricolor with a centered palm tree. The flag was changed when independence was granted in 1983.