Quick Facts
- Continental region – It is in the Lesser Antilles, in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, about 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Saba and 5 miles (8 km) northwest of the island of Saint Kitts. Its capital is Oranjestad.
- Currency symbol of United States – dollar ($) (USD)
- Capital City – Oranjestad
- Official languages – Language in St Eustatius. Dutch is the official language. Papiamento (a mixture of African, Dutch, English, Portuguese and Spanish) is the commonly used lingua franca. English and Spanish are also widely spoken.
- Population – 3,138(2019)
- Country dialling code – (+599)
- Official website – Sint Eustatius
- Top 3 biggest industries – St Eustatius earns a modest income from agriculture and from a major petroleum trans-shipment programme, but it is tourism that dominates the economy..
- Google Maps link –Sint Eustatius
- Where is it? – It is in the northern, Leeward Islands portion of the West Indies, some distance southeast of the Virgin Islands. It forms part of the inner arc of the Leeward Island chain, lying immediately to the northwest of Saint Kitts and Nevis and to the southeast of Saba. Statia is 150 miles east of Puerto Rico, 90 miles east of St. Croix, 38 miles south of St. Maarten and 17 miles southeast of Saba.
Sint Eustatius In Pictures
Sint Eustatius History
- How did the country get its current name? – The island, first colonized by the French and English in 1625, was taken by the Dutch in 1632 and initially named Nieuw Zeeland before being renamed Sint Eustatius.
- When and by whom the country was first discovered? – It is unknown if the island was occupied prior to the arrivals of the Europeans. Christopher Columbus was the first European to see the island in 1493.
- Who were the first Inhabitants? – It is unknown if the island was inhabited prior to the arrival of the Dutch in 1636.
- When it was first recognized as a country? – It is a special municipality of The Netherlands.
- Who was the first leader of the country? – Johannis de Graeff was the first leader of sint Eustatius.
Five Significant Events
- Easter Monday: Usually held in April, but flexible according to the Christian calendar, this event sees island-wide beach picnics with delicious food and drink, accompanied by typical ‘Statia’ music. https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/festivals-and-events
- Queen’s Day: Held annually on April 30 to commemorate the former Dutch Queen Juliana, this celebration involves cross island cultural events, beach picnics, and music. https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/festivals-and-events
- Emancipation Day: This festival marks the abolition of slavery, an important milestone for Caribbean countries. https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/festivals-and-events
- Carnival: Running since 1964, this annual festival is held in the last week of July. https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/festivals-and-events
- Statia Day: This national holiday commemorates the fact that St Eustatius was the first in the world to recognize the independence of USA. https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/festivals-and-events
Five Places to Visit in Sint Eustatius
- The Quill: This dormant volcano was established as a national park in 1998, making it the first nationally protected ecological area in the Netherlands Antilles. https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/attractions
- Miriam C Schmidt Botanical Gardens: The Miriam C Schmidt Botanical Gardens are the second National Park in St Eustatius, created in 1998. Many native flora species are prevalent here, and walking through the lush gardens makes for an extremely pleasant pastime. https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/attractions
- Archaeological Sites: There are around 600 archaeological dig sites scattered around St Eustatius, all of which are protected by the St Eustatius Center for Archaeological Research (SECAR).https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/attractions
- Oranjestad: Oranjestad is a historic harbor town, today home to 1,000 residents, which served as an important trade base with European nations during the 18th and 19th centuries. https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/attractions
- St Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum: St Eustatius is dubbed the ‘historical gem’ of the Caribbean, and this museum offers an insight into why this country has held such interest and significance in the region for so long. https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/attractions
References:
- https://pixabay.com/images/search/sint%20eustatius%20beauty/
- https://www.britannica.com/place/Sint-Eustatius
- https://www.google.com/search?q=LIST+OF+OFFICIAL+LANGUAGE+OF+SINT+EUSTATIUS&oq
- https://www.islandstudies.ca/sites/islandstudies.ca/files/jurisdiction/St.%20Eustatius%20(Statia).pdf
- https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/festivals-and-events
- https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/caribbean/st-eustatius/attractions
Share comments and reactions:
LOVE IT
FUNNY
SHOCKING
INTERESTING
NOPE
