Saint Thomas Middle Island Parish
Encyclopedia
Saint Thomas Middle Island is one of 14 administrative parishes
that make up Saint Kitts and Nevis
. It is the third largest parish on the island of Saint Kitts
, and fourth largest in the federation. The parish capital is Middle Island
.
Other Villages:
The largest town in the parish, with a population near 2,000, is the historic Old Road Town
, the first settlement founded by the British in the Caribbean, established in 1623. The town was protected by Charles Fort (not to be confused with Fort Charles
in Sandy Point or Fort Charles in Charlestown). The parish capital is the village of Middle Island, the home of the tomb of the founder of the British colony, Sir Thomas Warner. Other villages include Lamberts, Conyers, Godwin's and Half Way Tree.
, which lies in actuality lies in the very North of the parish boundaries, although locally it is usually more closely associated with the town of Sandy Point
. The massive fortress was the largest one ever built by the British in the Eastern Caribbean, and receives more visitors annually than any other site in the federation. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another large employer is the Caribelle Batik factory, on Romney Manor Estate. Often advertised as 'the most beautiful factory in the world,' the tourism-based factory lies within a 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) tropical garden, which in turn lies in the centre of the lush rainforests just above the town of Old Road. Batik wares are produced in the open air setting for visitors to see and purchase. The grounds were also famously once owned by the Jeafferson family, forefathers to the U.S. president Thomas Jefferson. Other sites include the tomb of Sir Thomas Warner in Middle Island, and the various rainforest trails starting at Romney Manor.
Fishing is the other main industry, with a large, recently completed fisheries complex now dominating the coastline of Old Road Town
.
Parishes of Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is divided into 14 parishes. Nine parishes are located on the island of Saint Kitts and five on Nevis. The parishes are drawn like pie-slices from the ridgeline of the central mountains of both islands....
that make up Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis , located in the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island nation in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign state in the Americas, in both area and population....
. It is the third largest parish on the island of Saint Kitts
Saint Kitts
Saint Kitts Saint Kitts Saint Kitts (also known more formally as Saint Christopher Island (Saint-Christophe in French) is an island in the West Indies. The west side of the island borders the Caribbean Sea, and the eastern coast faces the Atlantic Ocean...
, and fourth largest in the federation. The parish capital is Middle Island
Middle Island, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Middle Island is a town in Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is the capital of Saint Thomas Middle Island Parish and is located on the west coast of Saint Kitts island....
.
Land
The long, unindented coastline of the parish consists mostly of stony black sand beaches and cliffs. The parish's settlements all skirt the coastline, creating a narrow, densely populated strip for its entire length. Moving inland, the terrain sharply rises, and is dominated by abandoned sugar cane fields and small farm holdings, before giving way to tropical rainforests at approximately 500 feet (152.4 m) above sea level. The unusually high grade of the land in this parish is responsible for it having the least agricultural land per total area and also the lowest population density on the island.Towns and Villages
Capital - Middle IslandMiddle Island, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Middle Island is a town in Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is the capital of Saint Thomas Middle Island Parish and is located on the west coast of Saint Kitts island....
Other Villages:
- Conyers
- Franklands
- Godwin's Ghaut
- Half Way Tree
- Lamberts
- New Guinea
- Old Road TownOld Road TownOld Road Town is a town in Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is located on the west coast of Saint Kitts island, just to the south of Middle Island.It was settled on January 28, 1624 by Thomas Warner, his wife Rebecca, his son Edward and 14 others. The settlers were at first on good terms with the island's...
(largest town) - Verchilds
The largest town in the parish, with a population near 2,000, is the historic Old Road Town
Old Road Town
Old Road Town is a town in Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is located on the west coast of Saint Kitts island, just to the south of Middle Island.It was settled on January 28, 1624 by Thomas Warner, his wife Rebecca, his son Edward and 14 others. The settlers were at first on good terms with the island's...
, the first settlement founded by the British in the Caribbean, established in 1623. The town was protected by Charles Fort (not to be confused with Fort Charles
Fort Charles (Saint Kitts)
Fort Charles is an old British fort on the island of St. Kitts. Its capture by the French was the reason for the construction of the more famous Brimstone Hill Fortress, which overlooks it....
in Sandy Point or Fort Charles in Charlestown). The parish capital is the village of Middle Island, the home of the tomb of the founder of the British colony, Sir Thomas Warner. Other villages include Lamberts, Conyers, Godwin's and Half Way Tree.
Economy
Tourism is the main industry in the parish, due to its many historical sites. The main employer is the Brimstone Hill FortressBrimstone Hill Fortress National Park
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the island of St. Kitts in the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis in the Eastern Caribbean....
, which lies in actuality lies in the very North of the parish boundaries, although locally it is usually more closely associated with the town of Sandy Point
Sandy Point Town
Sandy Point is the second largest town of St. Kitts. It is situated on the north-west coast of St.Kitts and is the capital of Saint Anne Sandy Point Parish....
. The massive fortress was the largest one ever built by the British in the Eastern Caribbean, and receives more visitors annually than any other site in the federation. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another large employer is the Caribelle Batik factory, on Romney Manor Estate. Often advertised as 'the most beautiful factory in the world,' the tourism-based factory lies within a 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) tropical garden, which in turn lies in the centre of the lush rainforests just above the town of Old Road. Batik wares are produced in the open air setting for visitors to see and purchase. The grounds were also famously once owned by the Jeafferson family, forefathers to the U.S. president Thomas Jefferson. Other sites include the tomb of Sir Thomas Warner in Middle Island, and the various rainforest trails starting at Romney Manor.
Fishing is the other main industry, with a large, recently completed fisheries complex now dominating the coastline of Old Road Town
Old Road Town
Old Road Town is a town in Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is located on the west coast of Saint Kitts island, just to the south of Middle Island.It was settled on January 28, 1624 by Thomas Warner, his wife Rebecca, his son Edward and 14 others. The settlers were at first on good terms with the island's...
.