Saint Thomas Middle Island Parish
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2020) |
Saint Thomas Middle Island | |
---|---|
Parish | |
Country | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
Capital | Middle Island |
Area | |
• Total | 25 km2 (10 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 2,535[1] |
• Density | 101.4/km2 (263/sq mi) |
Saint Thomas Middle Island is one of 14 administrative
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 (150 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 Island
Other Villages:
- Conyers
- Franklands
- Godwin's Ghaut
- Half Way Tree
- Lamberts
- New Guinea
- Old Road Town (largest town)
- Verchilds
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.
Economy
Tourism is the main industry in the parish, due to its many historical sites. The main employer is the
Fishing is the other main industry, with a large, recently completed fisheries complex now dominating the coastline of Old Road Town.
Future
Lamberts' Estate is currently being developed to create a reconstruction of a functioning 18th century sugar plantation and a plantation-style resort.
References
- ^ "2011 Census". Department of Statistics, St. Kitts and Nevis.