Saba
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2008-07-10T13:24:32Z
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 224773722 by [[Special:Contributions/81.86.217.92|81.86.217.92]] ([[User talk:81.86.217.92|talk]])"reputed" isn't the right word
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{{Infobox_Country|
native_name = ''Eilandgebied Saba'' |
conventional_long_name = Island area of Saba|
common_name = Saba |
image_flag = Flag_of_Saba.svg|
image_coat = |
image_map = Nt-map.png|Map showing location of Saba relative to [[Sint Eustatius]] and [[Saint Martin|Sint Maarten/Saint Martin]]. |
national_motto = ''"Remis Velisque"'' <small>([[Latin]])</small><br>''"With oars and sails"'' <small>([[English language|English]])</small> |
national_anthem = ''"Saba you rise from the ocean"'' |
official_languages = [[Dutch language|Dutch]], [[Papiamento]] and [[English language|English]]|
government_type = ''See [[Politics of the Netherlands Antilles]]'' |
leader_title1 = Saba Administrator |
leader_name1 = [[A.J.M. Solagnier]] |
leader_title2 = Governor of N.A. |
leader_name2 = [[Frits Goedgedrag]] |
sovereignty_type = [[Constitutional monarchy]] |
sovereignty_note = <small>part of the [[Netherlands Antilles]], special municipality of the [[Netherlands]] as from [[December 15]], [[2008]]</small> |
capital = [[The Bottom, Saba, NA|The Bottom]] |
largest_city = The Bottom |
area_magnitude = 1_E12 |
area_km2= 13 |
area_sq_mi = 5 |
population_census = 1,424 |
population_census_year = 2004 |
population_density_km2 = 104 |
population_density_sq_mi = 285 |
population_density_rank = |
utc_offset = -4 |
time_zone = -4 |
latd=17|latm=38|latNS=N|longd=63|longm=14|longEW=W|
currency = [[Netherlands Antillean guilder]] |
currency_code = ANG |
cctld = .an |
calling_code = 599 |
}}
'''Saba''' (pronounced "Say-ba" in English) is the smallest [[island]] of the [[Netherlands Antilles]], located at {{coor dm|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]].
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, Saba, NA|The Bottom]], [[Windwardside, Saba, NA|Windwardside]], [[Hell's Gate, Saba, NA|Hell's Gate]] and [[St. Johns, Saba, NA|St. Johns]]. Despite the island's Dutch affiliation, [[English language|English]] is the principal language spoken on the island and has been used in its school system since 1986. The [[Netherlands Antillean gulden|Netherlands Antillean guilder]] is the official currency, but the [[U.S. dollar]] is accepted everywhere on the island.
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.
Saba is slated to become a special municipality within the country of the [[Netherlands]], but the schedule for this transition has been delayed indefinitely.<ref>[http://www.thedailyherald.com/news/daily/k006/steer006.html St. Maarten-St. Martin - Consensus, but no date set for new status<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==History==
The origin of the name "Saba" is believed to be a variant of Dutch for "shoe", because the major industry of the island was shoemaking when visited by the Dominican monk [[Jean-Baptiste Labat]] in 1701. Another 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 [[United Kingdom|British]] occupation during the [[Napoleonic era]].
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 [[Jamaica]]n [[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.
The remains of the 1640 settlements can be found on the west side at [[Tent Bay]].
==Geography==
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 forests|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.
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.
==People and culture==
{{main|Culture of Saba}}
[[Image:View from Mt Scenery, Saba.jpg|thumb|250px|View from Mount Scenery.]]
The population of Saba consists of only 1,424 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 people|Dutch]], [[Scottish people|Scottish]], and [[Africa]]n heritage. The population is also descended from the [[Irish people|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.
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 language|English]] and [[Dutch language|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 Church|Seventh-day Adventist]], [[Muslim]], and [[Jewish]] faiths.
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 [[USS Nevada (BB-36)|USS Nevada]] from its berth at the harbor; the 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 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.
==Transport==
[[Image:Saba 0432868.jpg|thumb|250px|The island of Saba, showing [[Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport]] and various communities.]]
There is one road, aptly called "The Road". Its construction was masterminded by [[Josephus Lambert Hassell]] who, despite the common opinion of Dutch and [[Switzerland|Swiss]] engineers, believed that a road could be built.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.luketravels.com/saba/ |title=Saba Dutch Carribean Travel Guide |accessdate=2007-10-06 |format= |work= |publisher=LukeTravels.com}}</ref> He took a correspondence course in [[civil engineering]], and started building the road with a crew of locals in 1938.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://travel.canoe.ca/Travel/Caribbean/LesserAntilles/2006/11/15/2365625-sun.html |title=Saba’s road less travelled |accessdate=2007-10-06 |author=Diane Slawych |work= |publisher=Canoe.ca Travel}}</ref> 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.
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 runways in the world, and as such, only three models of airplane are approved for landing.{{fact|date=February 2008}} 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''.
Of note in The Bottom area, are 800 steps carved from stone, to go from [[Ladder Bay, Saba, NA|Ladder Bay]] to The Bottom. Everything was carried to the island by hand until the late 20th century.
==Economy and tourism==
{{main|Economy of Saba}}
[[Image:Saba Hafen.jpg|thumb|250px|Harbor 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 [[Lace-making|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.
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 chamber]]s in case of diving emergencies. There are few anchorages, and a [[Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport|small airport]] with service from [[Saint Martin|St. Maarten]]. There is also ferry service from [[Saint Martin|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.
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:3814_aquaimages.jpg|Saba, as seen from the east
Image:3977_aquaimages.jpg|Saba's only port
Image:3837_aquaimages.jpg|Underwater pinnacle
Image:3846_aquaimages.jpg|Large Nassau Grouper at The Pinnacle
Image:3923_aquaimages.jpg|Diamond Rock
Image:3959_aquaimages.jpg|Hawksbill Turtle
Image:3875_aquaimages.jpg|Great Barracuda and Jacks, Diamond Rock
Image:4001_aquaimages.jpg|Divers and French Angelfish next to Diamond Rock
Image:4006_aquaimages.jpg|Divers and Southern Stringray next to Diamond Rock
Image:Saba Flughafen.jpg|Saba's airport
Image:Sabaisland.jpg
Image:View_of_St_Johns_village.jpg
Image:Sabaislandred.jpg
</gallery>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
{{commonscat|Saba}}
*{{wikitravel}}
* [http://www.sabatourism.com/ Saba's Tourist Bureau homepage]
* [http://www.sabapark.org/ Saba Conservation Foundation's homepage]
* [http://www.treemail.nl/download/saba.pdf Saba (N.A.): Bos en nationale parken. 54pp.]
{{Island areas of the Netherlands Antilles}}
{{Outlying territories of European countries}}
[[Category:Lesser Antilles]]
[[Category:Islands of the Netherlands Antilles]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Saba| ]]
[[Category:Kingdom of the Netherlands]]
[[an:Isla de Saba]]
[[bg:Саба]]
[[ca:Illa de Saba]]
[[da:Saba (Caribien)]]
[[de:Saba (Insel)]]
[[et:Saba saar]]
[[es:Saba]]
[[eo:Saba]]
[[fr:Saba]]
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[[ko:사바 섬]]
[[it:Saba (isola)]]
[[he:סאבא]]
[[nl:Saba]]
[[ja:サバ島]]
[[no:Saba (øy)]]
[[pms:Saba (Antile Olandèise)]]
[[pl:Saba (wyspa)]]
[[pt:Saba]]
[[ru:Саба (остров)]]
[[simple:Saba]]
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