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<\/a>Saba has a land area of 13 square kilometers (5.0 sq mi). The population was 1,933 as of January 2020, with a population density of 148 inhabitants per square kilometer (380\/sq mi). It is the smallest territory by permanent population in the Americas. Its towns and major settlements are The Bottom<\/a> (the capital), Windwardside<\/a>, Zion’s Hill<\/a> and St. Johns<\/a>.<\/p>\n Saba is thought to have been inhabited by the Ciboney<\/a> people as early as the 1100s BC. Later, circa 800 AD, Arawak<\/a> people from South America settled on the island.<\/p>\n Christopher Columbus<\/a> is said to have sighted the island on 13 November 1493, however, he did not land, being deterred by the island’s perilous rocky shores. In 1632 a group of shipwrecked Englishmen landed upon Saba. Later, in 1635, a stray Frenchman claimed Saba for Louis XIII of France<\/a>. In the 1640s the Dutch Governor of the neighboring island of Sint Eustatius sent several Dutch families over to colonize the island for the Dutch West India Company<\/a>. In 1664, refusing to swear allegiance to the English crown, these original Dutch settlers were evicted to St. Maarten by Jamaican governors-cum-pirates Edward<\/a>, Thomas<\/a>, and Henry Morgan<\/a>. The Netherlands eventually gained complete control of the island in 1816.<\/p>\n In the 17th and 18th centuries, Saba’s major industries were sugar, indigo<\/a> and rum produced on plantations owned by Dutchmen living on St. Eustatius, and later fishing, particularly lobster fishing. To work these plantations slaves from Africa were imported. In the 17th century, Saba was believed to be a favorable hideout for Jamaican pirates. England also deported its “undesirable” people to live in the Caribbean colonies, and some of them also became pirates, a few taking haven on Saba. As the island’s coast is forbidding and steep, the island became a private sanctuary for the families of smugglers and pirates. A notable Saban pirate was Hiram Beakes, son of the Dutch councilor of the island.<\/p>\n Later, legitimate sailing and trade became important, and many of the island’s men took to the sea, during which time “Saba lace”, which is pulled thread work<\/a>, a Spanish form of needlework introduced by a nun from Venezuela, became an important product made by the island’s women. Throughout the late 19th century and early 20th century, the primary source of revenue for the island came from the lacework produced by these women. During this period of time, with most of the island’s men gone out to sea for extended periods, the island became known as “The Island of Women”.<\/p>\n In 1943 Joseph ‘Lambee’ Hassell, a self-taught engineer, began building a road on Saba, drastically improving transport on the island, which prior to that had been carried out only by foot or by mule. An airport followed in 1963, and a larger pier geared for tourist boats in 1972. As a result, tourism increased, gradually becoming a major part of the Saban economy.<\/p>\n A status referendum was held in Saba on 5 November 2004. 86.05% of the population voted for closer links to the Netherlands. This was duly achieved in 2010, when the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved and Saba became a special municipality of the Netherlands.<\/p>\n Saba is a small island at 13 square kilometers (5.0 sq mi) in size and roughly circular in shape. It lies north-west of Sint Eustatius<\/a> and south-west of Saint Barth\u00e9lemy<\/a> and Sint Maarten<\/a>. The terrain is generally mountainous, culminating in Mount Scenery in the island’s center. Off the north coast lies the much smaller Green Island.<\/p>\n Saba is the northernmost potentially active volcano in the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc<\/a> chain of islands. At 887 meters (2,910 ft), Mount Scenery is also the highest point within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The island is composed of a single rhombus-shaped volcano measuring 4.6 kilometers (2.9 mi) east to west and 4.0 kilometers (2.5 mi) north to south The oldest dated rocks on Saba are around 400,000 years old, and the most recent eruption was shortly before the 1630s European settlement. Between 1995 and 1997, an increase in local seismic activity was associated with a 7\u201312 \u00b0C (13\u201322 \u00b0F) rise in the temperature of the hot springs on the island’s northwest and southeast coasts.<\/p>\n Since 2011 the U.S. dollar has been the official currency, replacing the Netherlands Antillean guilder<\/a>.<\/p>\n Agriculture on Saba is primarily livestock and vegetables, especially potatoes. Saba lace, also known as “Spanish work”, is actually drawn thread work and is still produced on the island.<\/p>\n The tourism industry now contributes more to the island’s economy than any other sector. There are about 25,000 visitors each year. Saba has a number of inns, hotels, rental cottages and restaurants. Saba is known as the “Unspoiled Queen” of the Caribbean. Saba is especially known for its ecotourism, having exceptional scuba diving, climbing and hiking.<\/p>\n There is one main road, known as “The Road”. Its construction was masterminded by Josephus Lambert Hassell who, contrary to the 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.<\/p>\n After five years of work the first section of the road from Fort Bay<\/a> to The Bottom was completed. It was not until 1947 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 task, and the curves in Windwardside are extremely difficult to negotiate. Driving is on the right hand side.<\/p>\n In 1963 Saba residents built the Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport<\/a>. This 400-metre (1,300 ft) landing strip is reputed to be the shortest commercial runway in the world, and is restricted. Only trained pilots flying small STOL<\/a> airliners, such as the Twin Otter<\/a> and the Britten-Norman Islander<\/a> may land there, as well as helicopters. The airport offers flights to and from the nearby islands of St. Maarten and Sint Eustatius.<\/p>\n There is also a ferry service from St. Maarten; the ferry boats “Dawn II ~ The Saba Ferry” and “The Edge” both travel to Saba three times a week. In addition, there are anchorages for private boats.<\/p>\n Of note are 800 steps carved from stone that reach from Ladder Bay<\/a> to the settlement known as The Bottom. Until the late 20th century, everything that was brought to the island in boats and ships was carried up by hand using these steps. The steps are now often used by tourists who wish to experience an intense climb.<\/p>\nHistory:<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Geography:<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Economy:<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Transportation:<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Flag of Saba:<\/h2>\n
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