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St. Eustatius, affectionately called Statia, is approxi-mately 5 miles long and 2 miles wide, covering a total of 11.8 square miles. The island has a population of approximately 2900 and is located in the north eastern Caribbean. It is 150 miles east of Puerto Rico (latitude 17.00, longitude 63.04), 90 miles east of St. Croix, 38 miles south of St. Maarten and 17 miles southeast of Saba.
Statia is only a few hours by air from major USA cities and a mere 15 minutes flying time from St. Maarten. Together with sister islands Saba and St. Maarten, Statia forms the Windward Islands of the Dutch Caribbean.
Statia's population of approximately 2700 is made up mainly from people of black African descent with a pleasant nature and a zeal for work.Top
The first inhabitants of Statia were the Saladoids, who arrived in great sea-going canoes from South America before the end of the 15th century. In the 1600's, slaves of African descent were brought to the island to cultivate the land, which had more than seventy plantations. At the end of the 18th century, slavery had been outlawed in the Dutch Antilles. Today, people of more than 20 nationalities live in harmony on this peaceful Dutch Caribbean Island.
Oranjestad
Oranjestad, the island's capital and its only town, is a pleasant place with a fine sense of history. Located along the waterfront, the Lower Town area was the location of the original port town and still has some ruins from the colonial era, as well as the island's best beach and its harbour.
Upper Town is Oranjestad's main commercial and residential area. In the town centre, Fort Oranje is an intact 17th century fort complete with cannons, triple bastions and a cobblestone courtyard. It's perched on the cliffside directly above Lower Town and offers a broad view of the waterfront below.
Fort de Windt
The road south from Oranjestad ends abruptly at Fort de Windt, where a couple of rusty cannons sit atop a cliffside stone wall. While there's not much else to this small 18th-century fort, you'll be rewarded with a fine view of St Kitts to the southeast. The white cliffs to the east are visible from neighbouring islands.
The fort is just southeast of Oranjestad. To get there, take the road that runs past the old Dutch Reformed Church and follow it south, through a dry terrain of cacti and stray goats, to its end 3km (2mi) away.
One of the projects which arose from these initiatives, was the Historic Core Renovation Project. The name, "Historic Core", refers to the area around the fort in the center of Statia's capital city, Oranjestad, where the first Europeans settled in the early 17th century.
The historic Caribbean atmosphere of the town is specifically defined by the traditional small wooden dwelling houses. The Historic Core Renovation Project is unique in the special attention that is being paid to the consolidation, preservation and restoration of this heritage.
During the three years of the project many buildings have been restored in keeping with the unique historic atmosphere of Statia. The results are a tribute to the outstanding dedication and skills of Statia's craftsmen.
Honem Dalim, Jewish Synagogue
The History of the Jewish people in St. Eustatius is one its many intriguing stories. Jewish merchants began to come to Statia as early as 1680 and had become part of this community by the early 1720's.
In the beginning the population was mostly of the Sephardim Sect but they were soon joined by Askenazi Jews of Eastern Europe. By 1730 these two groups were often in conflict and were a civil problem for the authorities.
She is the third oldest Caribbean Synagogue and its inhabitants would suffer many a hardship in its next 100 years until it finally sat in its current state as a majestic ruin.
Activities:
Diving
Statia has diving life like no other destination in the Caribbean. The warm water and the underwater volcanic fissures and canyons have given this area a diversified diving selection.
Hiking and Exploring
Statia is a paradise for nature lovers. Wonderful hiking is plentiful. At the North end area a series of hills, remnants of an old volcano. At the center of the island is a plain where the airport is located and at the south end a much younger, perfectly formed volcano - The Quill.
Snorkeling
Inexpensive tours of some of the shallower reefs are available from the dive shops.
Saba is ideal for the traveler looking for a secluded haven, in peaceful and friendly surroundings. Rising steeply from the azure sea, the tiny island in the Caribbean is a magical experience far away from the cares and worries of today's hurried world.
Four small villages are as quaint and charming as the gentle, friendly manner of the Saban people, descended from hardy 17th century pioneers. Visitors feel they have stepped back in history, yet many modern luxuries are here to be enjoyed. Saba is a monument to nature's best above and below the ocean's surface. The famous Saba Marine Park is second to none. Saba is a magical place for scuba diving, hiking, admiring the nature or honeymooning!
Saba, the smallest island in the Netherlands Antilles group, is the remains of a dormant volcano, and juts abruptly out of the blue Caribbean Sea.
Mt. Scenery is the highest point, and it dominates the island's beautiful and rugged terrain.
Saba is famous for its numerous scuba diving venues, lack of commercialism, and relaxing, isolated solitude.
Places of Interest:
The Bottom
The Bottom is Saba's administrative centre, but beyond that it's a quiet, lovely town. As you first enter, you'll come upon the Department of Public Works, a former schoolhouse flanked by tall night-blooming cacti that give off a wonderful fragrance in the evening.
Mt Scenery
The island's premier hike is to the top of Mt Scenery, a strenuous climb up a virtual nonstop run of stairs (1064 in all) that ends at the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The clearly marked trail begins at the side of the road a short walk west of the tourist office in Windwardside.
You'll get a close-up view of an elfin forest with its lush growth of ferns, tropical flowers and epiphyte-covered mahogany trees, and if clouds don't roll in, the summit provides panoramic views of Saba and neighbouring islands. There are signboards along the trail and a few shelters for shade.
Windwardside
The island's largest hamlet, Windwardside has curving alleyways lined with picturesque cottages and flower-filled gardens. Being on the windward side of the island, just below Mt Scenery, this hillside village is lush and green and a tad cooler than other parts of the island.
Windwardside makes the best base for visitors, as it has the most facilities and attractions. You'll probably notice that many homes have Dutch doors, the top halves of which are commonly kept open in the evening, allowing people to chat with passing neighbours from the comfort of their loungerooms.
The island of Saba is a fine example of ecotourism in action: Nature Trails & Walks, Climbing...
Diving
Saba's beauty extends below the waterline into an exciting marine environment rich in corals and active with fish life. A busy population of colorful tropical fish as well as large groupers and jacks live around Saba.
Lava tunnels and hot springs remind divers of the dramatic volcanic beginnings of the island. The small leeward side hosts gentle, medium depth, spur and groove formations. Along the edge of Saba's sheer wall dives, divers can sight turtles and rays of all shapes and sizes.
Hiking
Saba has excellent hiking. There are seven signposted hikes, ranging from a 15-minute walk to tide pools just beyond the airport to a steep climb up through a cloud forest to the top of Mt Scenery, Saba's highest point. Some of the trails, such as the Crispeen Track between the Bottom and Windwardside, follow the old footpaths that linked the villages before the first vehicle roads were built. A trail brochure and map is available free at the tourist office in Windwardside.
Last edited by Anna (15:41, 06 January 2006)
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