St Kitts and Nevis (Nevis is the smaller island to the bottom right).
From the sea, Nevis (pronounced “knee-vis”) resembles a green nipple. It is elegantly symmetrical, a tropical volcano ringed with golden beaches. By surface area it is roughly the equivalent of Pittsburgh, yet its peak is taller than any mountain in Pennsylvania, so the whole island slopes upwards starting gently where the beach bars shelter among the palm trees, then steadily steepening while the tree cover gets denser. If you hike up the peak you are in true rain forest and will find yourself scrutinized by monkeys in the overhanging greenery.
It is a gorgeous place much frequented by famous people. Recently John Cleese said he was so fed up with how things are being run where he lives that he is moving to Nevis for good. “It’s one of the nicest islands I’ve ever been to,” he said. “The children and adults are extraordinarily well-educated, the weather’s good the whole time, I’m very lucky.”
The island was once a major center for sugar growers and slave traders but it slipped into obscurity in the 18th century when it was out-competed by larger and more fertile rivals. In the 19th century, Britain added it to neighboring St Kitts for administrative purposes so it was as the junior half of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis that it became independent in 1983.
Long Haul Bay, Nevis.
For Americans, Nevis is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, also of the $10-bill and, more recently, of Broadway fame. In the days since the financial meltdown of the mid-2000s Nevis has become notorious as an offshore financial haven – loosely regulated, lightly taxed, and fiercely private – much like the Cayman Islands or Switzerland once were – a place where gains (ill-gotten or not) can be stashed safe from the long arm and prying eyes of governments, drug prosecutors, and divorce attorneys. Think of it as a good place to incorporate your LLC, assuming you’re not already incorporated in the state of Delaware – but I digress.
Disclaimer: DEW Consulting, LLC, is incorporated in the state of Delaware.
So sue me.