The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Nevis

NEVIS, an island of the British West Indies, in the Leeward group, 2 m. from the S. E. extremity of St. Christopher, in lat. 17° 14′ N., lon. 62° 40′ W.; area, 45 sq. m.; pop. in 1871, 11,735. With the exception of a narrow circle of fertile land bordering upon the coast, the whole island may be said to consist of a single mountain 2,500 ft. high, the upper parts of which are not susceptible of cultivation. The arable lands, comprising in all only 6,000 acres, are well cultivated. Sugar is the staple, and with molasses and rum forms the bulk of the exports. The exports in 1870 amounted to £64,119, the imports to £54,286. The public revenue in 1872 was £7,776, the expenditures £10,477. The island is governed by a president, an executive council, and a legislative assembly of 11 members. Charlestown, on the S. W. coast, is the capital and principal town, and has a good roadstead. Nevis was colonized by English emigrants from St. Christopher in 1628, was taken by the French in 1706, and restored by the peace of Utrecht; it was taken by them again in 1782, but restored by the peace of 1783. It was the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton.