Saba
Motto "Remis Velisque" (Latin) "With oars and sails" (English)
Anthem "Saba you rise from the ocean"
Capital		The Bottom 17°38′N, 63°14′W
Largest city		The Bottom
Official languages		Dutch, Papiamento and English (unofficial)
Government		See Politics of the Netherlands Antilles
-	Saba Administrator	A.J.M. Solagnier
-	Governor of N.A.	Frits Goedgedrag
Constitutional monarchy		part of the Netherlands Antilles, special municipality of the Netherlands as from December 15, 2008
Area
-	Total	13 km²  5 sq mi
Population
-	2004 census	1,424
-	Density	104 /km²  ? /sq mi
Currency		Netherlands Antillean gulden (ANG)
Time zone		-4 (UTC-4)
Internet TLD		.an
Calling code		+599

Saba (pronounced "SAY-ba") is the smallest island of the Netherlands Antilles, located at at 17°38′N, 63°14′W. It consists largely of the dormant volcano, Mount Scenery (877 m), the highest point of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Image File history File links Flag_of_Saba. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... A motto (from Italian) is a phrase or a short list of words meant formally to describe the general motivation or intention of an entity, social group, or organization. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in Latium, the region immediately surrounding Rome. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is evoking and eulogizing the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nations government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Map of the Netherlands Antilles. ... This article is about a city that serves as a center of government and politics. ... The Bottom is the largest settlement on Saba and would be your first stop on the way up the road from Fort Bay. ... An official language is a language that is given a unique legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... Papiamento or Papiamentu is the primary language spoken on the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (the so-called ABC islands). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles local long form: none local short form: Nederlandse Antillen Data code: NT Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954 Government type: parliamentary Capital: Willemstad Administrative divisions: none (part of... Frits Martinus de los Santos Goedgedrag (born 1 November 1951 in Aruba) is the current Governor of the Netherlands Antilles. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... Area is a physical quantity expressing the size of a part of a surface. ... To help compare orders of magnitude of different surface areas  here is a list of areas between 1 million km² and 10 million km². See also areas of other orders of magnitude. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Population density by country, 2006 Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. ... The gulden is the unit of currency in the Netherlands Antilles. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... A time zone is a region of the Earth that has adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. ... Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is a high-precision atomic time standard. ... A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ... A telephone number is a sequence of decimal digits (0-9) that is used for identifying a destination telephone line in a telephone network. ... Towering over the city of Naples, Vesuvius is dormant but certainly not extinct A dormant volcano is a volcano which is not currently erupting, but is believed to still be capable of erupting in the future. ... Mount Scenery is a lava dome which forms the summit of the Saba island stratovolcano. ...

Saba has a land area of 13 km² (5 sq. miles). At the 2001 Netherlands Antilles census, the population was 1,349 inhabitants, which means a population density of 104 inhabitants per km². In 2004 the population was estimated at 1,424 inhabitants.

Its current major settlements include The Bottom, Windwardside, Hell's Gate and St. Johns. Despite the island's Dutch affiliation, English is the principal language spoken on the island and has been used in its school system since 1986. The Netherlands Antillean guilder is the official currency, but the U.S. dollar is accepted everywhere on the island. The Bottom is the largest settlement on Saba and would be your first stop on the way up the road from Fort Bay. ... Windwardside is the second largest settlement on the island of Saba in the Netherlands Antilles, aptly named for being on the windward side of the island. ... Hells Gate, Saba is the first town one reaches on the island of Saba after leaving the Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, the smallest commercial airport in the world. ... St. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... The gulden is the unit of currency in the Netherlands Antilles. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

Saba is home to the Saba University School of Medicine, which was established by American expatriates in coordination with the Netherlands government. The school adds over 300 residents when classes are in session, and it is the prime educational attraction. A.M. Edwards Medical Center is the major provider of healthcare for local residents. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

History

The origin of the name "Saba" is believed by some to be a variant of Dutch for "shoe", due to the shoe like silhouette of the island from the ocean. Another, perhaps more likely theory is that the island's name is derived from the Arawak Indian word for "rock", which was "siba". Christopher Columbus is said to have sighted Saba on November 13, 1493, but did not land, as the island's perilously rocky shores were a major deterrent to Columbus and his crew. In 1632 a group of shipwrecked Englishmen landed upon Saba; they stated they found the island uninhabited when they were retrieved by others. But there has been some evidence found indicating that Carib or Arawak Indians may have been on the island. In 1635 a stray Frenchman claimed Saba for Louis XIII of France and around the year 1640, the Dutch West India Company sent people from the neighboring island of St. Eustatius to colonize the island. These settlers were then in 1664 evicted to St. Maarten by Sir Henry Morgan, the notorious English buccaneer, on one of the very few occasions that the nearly vertical rocky island was successfully invaded. The Netherlands finally took possession of Saba in 1816 after a spell of British occupation during the Napoleonic era. Christopher Columbus (1451 – May 20, 1506) was a navigator and maritime explorer credited as the discoverer of the Americas. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1493 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... See also: 1632 (novel) Events February 22 - Galileos Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems is published July 23 - 300 colonists for New France depart Dieppe November 8 - Wladyslaw IV Waza elected king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth after Zygmunt III Waza death November 16 - Battle of Lützen... The English are people descended for a wide variety of roots, and who are associated, either by birth or by choice, with the culture of England (Latin: Anglia). ... Events February 10 - The Académie française in Paris is expanded to become a national academy for the artistic elite. ... The French Republic or France (French: République française or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ... Dutch West India Company (Dutch: West-Indische Compagnie or WIC) was a company of Dutch merchants. ... Map showing location of Sint Eustatius relative to Saba and Sint Maarten/Saint Martin Sint Eustatius (also Saint Eustace and Statia), pop. ... Sir Henry Morgan (Hari Morgan in Welsh), (ca. ... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Beatrix  - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War   - Declared July 26, 1581   - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain... 1816 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Napoleonic Era is a period in the History of France and Europe. ...

Through the 17th and 18th centuries its major industries were sugar and rum, and, later, fishing, particularly lobster fishing. In the 1600s Saba was believed to be a favorable hideout for Jamaican pirates. England also deported its "undesirable" people to live in the Caribbean colonies. They too became pirates, taking haven on Saba. The most notable native Saban pirate was Hiriam Breakes, who famously quipped "Dead Men Tell No Tales." Legitimate sailing and trade later became important and many of the island's men took to the seas, during which time Saba lace became an important product made by the island's women. (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Magnification of grains of sugar, showing their monoclinic hemihedral crystalline structure. ... This article is about the beverage. ... Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish by hooking, trapping, or gathering. ... Pirates may refer to: A group of people committing any of these activities: Piracy at sea or on a river/lake. ...

The remains of the 1640 settlements can be found on the west side at Tent Bay. Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ...

Geography & environment

The island of Saba, showing Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport and various communities.

Of note in The Bottom area, are 800 steps carved from stone, to go from Ladder Bay to The Bottom. Everything was carried to the island by hand until the late 20th century. Image File history File links Saba_0432868. ... Image File history File links Saba_0432868. ... Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (IATA code SAB) is the only airport on the Caribbean island of Saba, in the Netherlands Antilles. ... Ladder Bay is an amazing anchorage on the leeward side of Saba. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999...

There is one road, aptly called "The Road". Its construction was masterminded by Josephus Lambert Hassell who, despite the common opinion of Dutch and Swiss engineers, believed that a road could be built. He took a correspondence course in civil engineering, and started building the road with a crew of locals in 1938. After five years of work, the first section of the road, from Fort Bay to The Bottom, was completed. It was not until 1947, however, that the first motor vehicle arrived. In 1951, the road to Windwardside and St. Johns was opened, and in 1958 the road was completed. Driving "The Road" is considered to be a daunting occasion, and the curves in Windwardside are extremely difficult. Driving is on the right hand side. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1963 the island had built a 400 metre landing strip for easier trips to the island by flight: Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport. It is one of the shortest commercial runway in the world, and as such, only three models of airplane are approved for landing. Consistent air service from Sint Maarten is, as of 2006, available through Winward Island Airways (Winair). In 1972 a pier was completed in Fort Bay to access the island and has made it easier for visitors to come there. Travel is provided by the Saba ferry Dawn II, as well as another ferry dubbed "The Edge". Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (IATA code SAB) is the only airport on the Caribbean island of Saba, in the Netherlands Antilles. ... Motto Semper pro grediens (Latin) Anthem O sweet Sint-Maartens Land Capital (and largest city) Philipsburg Official languages Dutch, English Government See Politics of the Netherlands Antilles  -  Administrator Franklyn Richards constitutional monarchy part of the Netherlands Antilles, separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands as from December 15... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The environment of Saba is mainly composed of woodland forest with ferns and damp soil, and many mango trees. There used to be forests of Mahogany trees until a hurricane in the 1960s destroyed many of the trees. The Mahogany trees are considered at risk of going extinct on the island. Visitors refer to Saba's forests as "the Elfin Forest" because of its high altitude mist and mossy appearance. Since then there has been a woodland reserve created and aptly named "Elfin Forest Reserve". Saba's lush plant and animal wildlife are diverse and are looked after by the Saba Conservation Foundation. An example of Mahogany The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored wood, originally the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, sometimes referred to as Spanish or Cuban Mahogany. ... An example of Mahogany The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored wood, originally the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, sometimes referred to as Spanish or Cuban Mahogany. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

4.3 km southwest of Saba is the Saba Bank, a large submerged atoll of rich biodiversity, and a prime fishing ground, particularly for lobster. Saba Bank, at is an extensive bank, actually a large submerged atoll with some of the richest diversity of marine life in the Caribbean, with its northeastern side lying about 4. ... Portion of a Pacific atoll showing two islets on the ribbon or barrier reef separated by a deep pass between the ocean and the lagoon. ...

People and culture

Main article: Culture of Saba

The population of Saba consists of only about 1,200 people who come from all over the world. The island's small size has led to a fairly small number of island families, who can trace their last names back to around a half-dozen families. This means that many last names are shared around the island, the most numerous being Hassell and Johnson. Most families are a rich intermixing of Dutch, Scottish, and African heritage. The population is also descended from the Irish who were exiled from that country after the ascension of King Charles I of England in 1625; Charles exiled these Irish to the Caribbean in an effort to quell rebellion after he had forceably procured their lands for his Scottish noble supporters. Sabas culture bears the influence of its early settlers, among them the English, Scottish, Africans, and Dutch. ...

Historically, the island was traded among the many European nations that fought for power in the region. Slaves were also imported to work on Saba. Saba was the first Caribbean island to abolish slavery, in part because white settlers had to labor side by side with black slaves in order to successfully farm the steep, rocky terrain. Both English and Dutch are used on the island and taught in schools, though Dutch is the island's official language. In more recent years Saba has become home to a large group of expatriates, and around 250 immigrants who are either students or teachers at the Saba University School of Medicine. Sabans are mostly Roman Catholic by faith; however, there is also a Wesleyan Holiness community on the island. Other religions practiced on the island include Anglican, Seventh-day Adventist, and Jewish faiths. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... An expatriate (in abbreviated form expat) is someone temporarily or permanently in a country and culture other than that of their upbringing and/or legal residence. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... The Seventh-day Adventist (abbreviated Adventist[1]) Church is a Christian denomination which is distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the seventh day of the week, as the Sabbath. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination...

Due to the very small size of the island, as well as the difficulty with which the steep slopes made farming, many Sabans took to the sea, making their living as legitimate sailors. Their seafaring traditions made it not uncommon for many men to seek better employment in the United States Navy; forging their birth certificates to enter the U.S. Navy without obstruction was also not uncommon. Among the more notable of these Saban sailors was Chief Boatswain Edwin J. Hill, who received the United States' highest military honor, the Medal of Honor (the Navy version of the award), for heroism during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941. During the attack, Hill lost his life soon after performing his major duty of releasing the U.S.S. Nevada from its berth at the harbor; the U.S.S. Nevada was the only ship that morning to attempt to make its way out of Pearl Harbor. Hill is most noted for having released the U.S.S. Nevada from its mooring, and then as the battleship began to steam away, jumping into the harbor, swimming after the ship, and then climbing up the battleship onto its deck to continue the fight. It should be noted that, due to the commonplace practice of one's forging his birth certificate to enter the U.S. Navy, Hill's Saban birth cannot be absolutely proven; however, it is known that his immediate and extended family were Saban. Edwin Joseph Hill posthumously received the Navy Medal of Honor for heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. ... The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ...

Economy & tourism

Main article: Economy of Saba

Saba lace (also known as "Spanish work") was a major export of Saba. In the 1870s, as a young lady, Mary Gertrude Hassell Johnson was sent to a Caracas convent in Venezuela for study - where she learned the difficult craft. The lacework spread through the island. The women of Saba began a mail-order business, and would copy addresses of businesses off of shipping containers from the United States, and write to the employees. Often they would get orders for the lacework, and it started a considerable cottage industry. By 1928, the women were exporting around $15,000(USD) worth of lace products each year. Sabas economy has always been limited by its small land mass (five square miles) and low population (currently about 1500 people). ... // The invention of the telephone (1876) by Alexander Graham Bell. ... Nickname: La Sultana del Avila (English:The Avilas Sultan) La Sucursal del paraiso Motto: Ave María Santísima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ... Lace appliqué and bow at the bust-line of a nightgown. ...

The island of Saba is known today for tourism, especially its ecotourism. Because the island is relatively new to the tourism industry, it only sees about 25,000 visitors each year. Saba is increasing in its popularity as a vacation destination because of its excellent scuba diving, climbing and hiking. The scuba diving in particular is deep and somewhat challenging; even though Saba is a small island it actually supports not one, but two Hyperbaric chambers in case of diving emergencies. There are few anchorages, and a small airport with service from St. Maarten. There is also ferry service from St. Maarten. The ferries Dawn II and The Edge both travel to Saba three times a week. Saba's brilliantly colorful and pristine coral life make it one of the most sublime places to scuba dive in the world, and is often listed as one of the Top 10 diving destinations. Many attribute the underwater life's purity to the island's remoteness and the caring of the people. The waters around the island were designated as the Saba National Marine Park in 1987, subject to government regulation to preserve its coral reefs and other marine life. Thus, Saba is known as the "Unspoiled Queen" of the Caribbean. Ecotourism means ecological tourism, where ecological has both environmental and social connotations. ... Scuba diving is swimming underwater while using self-contained breathing equipment. ... Rock climbers on Valkyrie at The Roaches in Staffordshire, England. ... Two hikers in the Mount Hood National Forest Eagle Creek hiking Hiking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. ... Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the medical use of oxygen at a higher than atmospheric pressure. ... Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (IATA code SAB) is the only airport on the Caribbean island of Saba, in the Netherlands Antilles. ... St. ... St. ... The Saba National Marine Park encompasses the waters and sea bed encircling Saba, Netherlands Antilles from the high water mark to 200 feet (60 meters) deep. ...

Gallery

Saba, as seen from the east Image File history File links 3814_aquaimages. ...	Saba's only port Image File history File links 3977_aquaimages. ...	Underwater pinnacle Image File history File links 3837_aquaimages. ...	Large Nassau Grouper at The Pinnacle Image File history File links 3846_aquaimages. ...
Diamond Rock Image File history File links 3923_aquaimages. ...	Hawksbill Turtle Image File history File links 3959_aquaimages. ...	Great Barracuda and Jacks, Diamond Rock Image File history File links 3875_aquaimages. ...	Divers and French Angelfish next to Diamond Rock Image File history File links 4001_aquaimages. ...
Divers and Southern Stringray next to Diamond Rock Image File history File links 4006_aquaimages. ...	Saba's airport Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sabaisland.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:View_of_St_Johns_village.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sabaislandred.jpg

External links

• Saba's Tourist Bureau homepage
• Saba Conservation Foundation's homepage
• Saba Ferry Dawn II
• Saba (N.A.): Bos en nationale parken. 54pp.
• Saba University School of Medicine
• Pictures of Saba
• More pictures of the airport

The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively called the Antarctic Treaty System or ATS, regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earths only continent without a native population. ...