The Caribbean
Netherlands (Dutch: Caribisch Nederland,
Papiamento: Hulanda Karibe) collectively refers
to the three special municipalities (officially
"public bodies") of the Netherlands that are
located in the Caribbean: Bonaire, Saint
Eustatius and Saba. The territorial grouping is
alternately known as Bonaire, Saint Eustatius
and Saba (Dutch: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en
Saba) or the BES islands.
Bonaire (including the islet of Klein Bonaire)
is located east of Aruba and Cura?o, close to
the coast of Venezuela. Saint Eustatius and Saba
are located south of Sint Maarten and northwest
of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The three islands
gained their current status following the
dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10
October 2010. They have a collective population
of 18,000 inhabitants and an area of 322 square
kilometres (124 sq mi).
Administration
The special municipalities carry many of the
functions normally performed by Dutch
municipalities. The executive power rests with
the governing council (Dutch: bestuurscollege)
headed by a Lieutenant Governor (Dutch:
gezaghebber). The main democratic body is the
Island council (Dutch: eilandsraad). Residents
of these three islands are entitled to vote in
Dutch national and (as all Dutch nationals) in
European elections.
Officially the islands are classed in Dutch law
as being openbare lichamen (literally translated
as "public bodies") and not gemeentes
(municipalities). They do not form part of a
Dutch province, and the powers normally
exercised by provincial councils within
municipalities are divided between the island
governments themselves and the central
government (by means of the National Office for
the Caribbean Netherlands).
For many Dutch laws there is a special BES
version For example, social security is not on
the same level as it is in the European
Netherlands.
The islands do not form part of the European
Union and instead constitute "overseas countries
and territories" of the Union to which special
provisions apply. The Lisbon Treaty introduced a
procedure where the European Council may change
the status of an extra-European territory of
Denmark, France or the Netherlands regarding the
application of the EU treaties to that
territory. It is intended to review the position
of the islands after a five year transitional
period began with the dissolution of the
Netherlands Antilles in October 2010.
Bonaire:
Original
Habitants:
Bonaire's first inhabitants were the
Caquetios Indians, a branch of the Arawak who, around 1000
AD, sailed from what is now Venezuela. Traces of Caquetio
culture are at a number of archaeological sites, including
those at Lac Bay and northeast of Kralendijk. Rock paintings
and petroglyphs have survived at the caves at Spelonk, Onima,
Ceru Pungi, and Ceru Crita-Cabai. The Caquetios were
apparently a very tall people, for the Spanish dubbed the
Leeward Islands 'las Islas de los Gigantes' (the islands of
the giants).
Bonaire was claimed for the Spanish by
Amerigo Vespucci and Alonso de Ojeda in 1499. Under Spanish
occupation, the natives were enslaved and transported to
Hispaniola, but the island's physical resources were largely
ignored. By 1526, the island was depopulated. That year,
Juan de Ampues, regional governor, turned it into a cattle
plantation and repopulated it with Indians.
In 1633, the Dutch, having lost the island
of
St. Maarten
to the Spanish, retaliated by capturing
Cura?o, Bonaire, and
Aruba. While Cura?o emerged as a center of the slave
trade, Bonaire became a plantation of the Dutch West India
Company. A small number of African slaves were put to work
alongside Indians and convicts, cultivating dyewood and
maize and harvesting solar salt around Blue Pan. Slave
quarters, rising no higher than a man's waist and built
entirely of stone, still stand in the area around Rincon and
along the saltpans as a grim reminder of Bonaire's
repressive past.
The Netherlands lost control of the island
twice, from 1800-1803 and 1807-1815. During these intervals,
the British had control over the neighboring island of
Cura?o, and, by extension, Bonaire. During the German
occupation of the Netherlands during World War II, Bonaire
was a protectorate of Britain and the United States.
Tourism
Bonaire's economy is mainly based on
tourism. The island caters, almost exclusively, to
scuba divers and
snorkelers. Wind surfers also constitute a strong group
of island tourists. Tourism infrastructure is Bonaire is
contemporary and based on time-share resorts. There are a
few small B&Bs.
Most resorts have an on-site dive shop. The rest are
affiliated with a dive operation.
Bonaire has a land area of 288 km? (111
sq. miles), while Klein Bonaire is a further 6 km? (2.3 sq.
miles). Bonaire's Afdeling Bevolking (census) office
reported that the population of was 14,006 inhabitants as of
December, 2006, which gives Bonaire island proper a
population density of 49 inh. per km?.
Bonaire lies outside the hurricane belt,
and is served by Flamingo International Airport.
Bonaire is world renowned for its
excellent scuba diving and is consistently rated among the
best diving and
Caribbean diving locations in the world.
Bonaire's license plates carry the logo Diver's Paradise
(in English). The island is ringed by a coral reef which is
easily accessible from the shore along the Western and
Southern sides. Furthermore, the entire coastline of the
island has been declared a marine sanctuary, preserving
local fish life. Bonaire is also consistently recognized as
one of the best destinations for snorkeling.
The coral reef around uninhabited Klein
Bonaire is particularly well conserved, and it draws divers,
snorkelers, and boaters.
Bonaire also has several coral reefs where
seahorses are common.
Bonaire is also famed for its flamingo
populations and its donkey sanctuary. Flamingos are drawn to
the brackish water, which harbours shrimp they feed on.
Starting in the 1500s, the Dutch raised sheep, goats, pigs,
horses and donkeys on Bonaire, and the descendants of the
goats and donkeys roam the island today.
Washington Slagbaai National Park, located
at the north side of the island, is an ecological preserve.
The highest point of Bonaire, Brandaris, located within this
preserve has a complete view of the island.
Lac Bay, (also known as Lac Cai or Lac
Cay) on the eastern side of the island, is a windsurfer's
paradise. Locals Taty and Tonky Frans in 2004 were ranked in
the top five of the world's freestyle windsurfing
professionals.
Finally, Atlantis Beach, on the western
part of the island, is the local kitesurfing spot.
Cities/Towns
The only generally recognized towns on the
island are Kralendijk and Rincon.
Kralendijk has many suburbs/neighbourhoods
(on an island with such a small population, the distinction
is not always clearcut). Kralendijk's suburbs/neighbourhoods
include:
Antriol
Belnem
Hato
Lima
Noord Salina
Nikiboko
Republiek
Sabadeco
Sabana
Santa Barbara
Tera Cora
(Click Image) Bonaire flag mini boxing gloves
Our Price:$5.00
Other smaller settlements include
Fontein
Lagoen
Sorobon
Spelonk
Wanapa
Several smaller towns had existed in the
national park, but are now abandoned. They were: Labra,
Ishiri, Kokorobi, Jan Doran, Vlijt, Rigot, Porto Spano, and
Kunchi.
SABA
Saba an extinct volcano, is located 28 miles SW of
St. Maarten and 21 miles SE of Sint Eustatius. It is
approximately five square miles in area, and has the
highest point (2,864ft.) in the Netherlands
Antilles. With a population of 1,200, Saba
(pronounced Say-bah), appears to rise suddenly in
the ocean with its majestic peak shrouded with
clouds most times. Until the construction of its
airport, Saba had been mainly visited by
ex-patriots, and the adventurous traveler, as its
appearance of steep slopes gave a look of
forbearance, inaccessibly and inhospitably. Today,
Saba's limited number of annual visitors, has helped
to maintain Saba as a hidden treasure, even after
their airport was constructed in 1963, and the Leo
Chance Pier was opened at Fort Bay in 1972.
Located within the ?hurricane belt?, Saba which
has no typical Caribbean beaches, is once again experiencing growth
since its first Europeans arrived in the 1600's.
Saba's four main villages of Hell's Gate, Windwardside, St. John's
and The Bottom each cast their individual charm and friendliness.
English is the primary language with Dutch being the official
language. Some Papiamentu is spoken on Saba. The Dutch Guilder (NAfl)
is the official currency, with the USDollar accepted everywhere.
Credit cards are not widely accepted.
The Saban people and their government officials are
perhaps the most determined in the Dutch Antilles. When, in the
1940's, Dutch engineers explained that to build a road was
impossible, Mr. Lambert Hassell, hit the books (a mail-course), and
over the next twenty years Saban's developed a hand built roadway
for their island. ?Recently? an extension connecting The Bottom with
Well's Bay on the island's northwestern side was built.
If you arrived on Saba via WINAIR, and though your
landing at Saba's airport was an experience, you have to travel this
road to Well's Bay. Through their skill of persuasion and Juancho E
Yrausquin Airport at Flat Point, with a 1,580ft. runway was built
1963. They established an electric company in 1970 and constructed
the Leo Chance Pier, a commercial pier in 1972. They have
dedication, they have protected their marine shores by establishing
Saba Marine Park
In 1989, a hyperbaric chamber
donation from the Royal Netherlands Navy was obtained, for use in
possible SCUBA diver emergencies and other medical situations. Since
1992, the Saba Medicine University has been opened.
STATIA
Known worldwide as Statia and also as "The Golden
Rock", was discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus. Statia's
history reveals 22 flag changes until in 1636, the Dutch took final
possession. During America's War of Independence, Sint Eustatius, at
one point, was the only link between Europe and the struggling
American colonies. During the islands history it reached a
population of 20,000 inhabitants. Today, its population hovers
around 2,100 with more than 20 nationalities represented within
Statia's populace with many residents being direct descendents of
these times.
Statia's history reveals a highly successful and wealthy society due
to its location within the Caribbean trade route. Residents had over
70 plantations, which used African slaves to cultivate their vast
holdings until the end of the 18th century, when slavery was
abolished in the Netherlands Antilles. In 1776, an American war
ship, the "Andrew Doria," sailed into Statia's harbor firing a
13-gun salute indicating America's long sought recognition of
independence. Residents replied with an 11 gun salute from Fort
Oranje, thus establishing Sint Eustatius as the first foreign nation
to officially recognize the newly formed United States of America.
The British did not take Sint Eustatius recognition well, they
attacked and plundered Sint Eustatius in retribution.
The University of Sint Eustatius school of medicine is located here.
Today, tourism adds to Statia's economic life. Statians strive to
maintain a high standard of service so visitors will return home
satisfied with their visit and plan for their early return. The
Dutch Guilder (NAfl) is the official currency, with the USDollar
accepted everywhere. Credit cards are not widely accepted.
As you walk about Statia's Crooks Castle Beach after a high tide,
you should be looking down, to see if you're going to be lucky
enough to find a “Statia Blue Bead”. These beads are five sided with
a dark-blue hue, and were a form of slave currency in the eighteenth
century. There is an island legend concerning these beads which goes
something along these lines... A slave, looking to get married,
would have to accumulate enough beads to encompass the waist of his
desired mate. After the slave era ended, these beads were cast into
the sea, as a symbol of independence. The legend has been further
enhanced by these beads being so rare, that anyone finding them will
always return to Statia. You really don't have to accomplish this
treasure hunt, as the charm of this little island gets you
every-time, and you will want to return.
The Saban people and their government officials are
perhaps the most determined in the Dutch Antilles. When, in the
1940's, Dutch engineers explained that to build a road was
impossible, Mr. Lambert Hassell, hit the books (a mail-course), and
over the next twenty years Saban's developed a hand built roadway
for their island. ?Recently? an extension connecting The Bottom with
Well's Bay on the island's northwestern side was built.
In 1989, a hyperbaric chamber
donation from the Royal Netherlands Navy was obtained, for use in
possible SCUBA diver emergencies and other medical situations. Since
1992, the Saba Medicine University has been opened.
