Saba (pop. 2,000) is an island in the Caribbean Sea that is part of the Lesser Antilles island group. Since 2010, Saba has been an overseas municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Its political status resembles that of a Dutch city. Previously, Saba was part of the Netherlands Antilles, which was a largely self-governing part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Saba is an extinct volcano. It rises 3,000 feet (915 meters) above the surface of the sea. It has an area of about 5 square miles (13 square kilometers). The climate is tropical, tempered by northeast trade winds.
Saba is primarily a tourist center. It is a stopover point for cruise liners. Fort Bay has a deepwater pier. A commuter ferry and air service operate between Saba and Saint Martin. Saba’s capital is a community called The Bottom. The island’s population is evenly divided between people of African origin and people of English or Dutch origin. Dutch is the official language, but most people use English as their common language.
See also Netherlands Antilles .
