| flag | |
 | |
| Short dates | |
| Capital | Oranjestad |
|---|---|
| Form of government | Public body as a special municipality in the Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| currency | 1 dollar (USD) = 100 cents |
| surface | 21 km² |
| population | 2.886 (2010) |
| languages | Dutch (official), English |
| Religions | 27% Methodists, 25% Roman Catholic, 21% Seventh-day Adventists, 19% others, 8% without |
| power grid | 220 V / 50 Hz |
| Phone code | 599-3 |
| Internet TLD | .at |
| Time zone | CET-5h |
St. Eustatius is an island of Netherlands Antilles.
background
| location | ||
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The island is 8 km long and 3 km wide. There is only one town on the island. It is located on the west side of the center of the island. A cliff divides the place into lower town and upper town. In the north there are the flat remains of ancient volcanoes, while in the south a younger volcanic cone fills the entire half of the island. The Quill crater is 760 m in diameter and over 300 m deep inside. The rainforest could develop there undisturbed. The name Quill is a derivative of the Dutch word "kwil" for volcano.
A large part of the population is employed by the government. There is no agriculture to speak of because of the drought. Tourism is not very pronounced and there is almost no industry. There are only a few large oil tanks in the northwest. There the oil is temporarily stored for transfer to small supply ships.
history
The indigenous people probably did not live on the island permanently, which is due not least to a lack of water supplies. Archaeological excavations on the “cultural level”, however, give evidence from a period from approx. 500 BC to 1500 AD. In cooperation with the University of Leiden, seven oval house floor plans were uncovered on the site of today's airfield. The Karib Indians called the island "Aloi", the Indian name for the cashew nut tree.
Columbus discovered the island on his second voyage on November 12, 1493, as did the island of SABA. He didn't land, just sailed by and named her after Santa Anastasia. The Spanish later named the island Santa Estacia. Since there was no sheltered anchorage and the waters around the island have unpleasant currents for sailing ships, it remained uninhabited for a long time. First attempts at colonization by the French failed in 1629.
In 1636 the merchant Jan Snouck received a patent from the Dutch West India Company (WIC) to establish a coffee plantation in the Caribbean. The expedition, consisting of two herring barges, in which Abraham van Pere and Pieter van Rhee also took part, was led by Pieter van Corselles. The original intention was to settle on the Virgin Island of SAINT CROIX. The island, like some others in the area, turned out to be unsuitable. So they finally landed on St. Eustatius in April 1636 and took possession of the island for the Netherlands. The new colony was named Nieuw Zeeland and secured with Fort Oranje. Due to its favorable location on the route between America and Europe, the island quickly developed into a flourishing trading center. Thanks to the beginning sugar boom, African slaves quickly became the most important commodity. Between 1685 and 1713, an average of 3,500 slaves were landed and resold on the island each year. Between 1630 and 1830, the Dutch brought about half a million slaves to the Caribbean as commodities.
This trading center was a thorn in the side of the other nations. Between 1673 and 1781 the island changed hands eight times between the French, English and Dutch. During this time the island was strongly fortified on all sides. During the French occupation from 1781 to 1784 alone, 14 defense posts were created. They were certainly very useful, but probably not all manned at the same time. Today less than half of them are preserved and accessible. As long as the Dutch owned the island, it was administered by the WIC through the Zeeland Chamber of Commerce. In the 18th century it was under the governor-general of SURINAME in Paramaibo.
At the beginning of the 18th century, four families had more or less divided the island among themselves, the De Windts, the Donckers, the Heylingers and the Lindesaijs. In 1756 all import duties were abolished.
The American Revolutionary War brought another trade boom in 1775 as many ships came to transport weapons and ammunition north.
On November 16, 1776, the armed freighter "Andrew Doria" ran at the island under the new flag of the rebellious North American colonies. The garrison commander on duty, Abraham Ravané, had the ship greeted in the traditional way, ignorant of the situation, the flag of St. Eustatius was dipped and a salute was fired. This made the island the first country to recognize the New States of America. In the following year, the island commander De Graaff was ordered to Holland, where he had to answer for this incident in 1778 before the WIC. In Fort Oranje there is a commemorative plaque that the American President Roosevelt had put up there in 1939.
The island's population multiplied from 1,200 in 1715 to over 8,000 in 1780, at times even almost 20,000 people lived on the island. Over 2,000 ships called at the island every year, with up to 300 in some months.
In January 1781, the British fleet, led by Admiral Sir George Rodney, left the island of BARBADOS for SAINT LUCIA. From there, Sint Eustatius was taken without a fight on February 3 and all ships lying in front of the port were confiscated. In the following weeks another 150 ships were chained by the British when they called the island. The loaded goods of all ships were auctioned for England, ruining many traders on the island and leaving it.
After the departure of Admiral Rodney, the French succeeded in taking control of the island as well as Saba and Sint Maarten in November of the same year. In the Treaty of Versailles, the islands were returned in 1784. Meanwhile, most of the warehouses in the Lower City had fallen into disrepair and the population had dropped to less than 3,000.
In 1791 the WIC was dissolved due to a lack of funds. In 1795 the island fell back into French possession due to the events in Europe. In 1801 it was conquered by England together with Saba and Sint Maarten, and returned to the Netherlands in the Treaty of Amiens in 1802. Only on February 21, 1816, the three islands finally passed into Dutch possession after the Treaty of London. In 1818 there was a treaty between the Netherlands and England that restricted the slave trade, and in 1821 all imports of slaves were forbidden.
From 1845 the island was administered from Curacao. A lieutenant governor was installed from there, assisted by two advisers, elected by the islanders. After the abolition of slavery by the Netherlands in 1863, the need increased even further. Some white landowners left the fields to their former slaves and left the island. Attempts to plant cotton and sisal failed. After the end of the First World War, only 1,000 people lived on the island.
carnival
Statia Carneval takes place in the last week of July and lasts 10 days. This is the largest cultural event on the island.
Flora and fauna
Most of the island, like Aruba and Bonaire, consists of dry karst land with bush vegetation. Only the quill is covered in clouds and has more humid air, so that dense vegetation could form on the bottom of the quill crater. There you can find old mahogany trees and head-high ferns. All over the island, 242 different types of plants have been counted, including 18 types of orchids.
The animal world is mainly limited to the colonialists' imported goats, cows and donkeys, there are also large land crabs, the Antilles iguana and, very rarely, small tree frogs. Hunting the iguana is punished with 5,000 naf. 66 species of birds have been counted on the island, 26 species breed on the island, 28 species are migratory birds from North America and 12 species are sea birds. The protected animal species include the red-bellied racing snake, Red Bellied Racer Snake, Alsophis rufiventris. This species can only be found on the island of SABA and on the slopes of the Quill.
beaches
- Concordia Bay, behind the airfield. The rushing surf is only suitable for experienced surfers.
- Corre Corre Bay, at the southeast tip. Small black sand beach.
- Lynch Beach, Atlantic coast. Small beach with brown sand, in places the water is very shallow and suitable for children, but in other places there are dangerous underwater currents.
- Orange Beach, Oranjestad. Gray-black sand beach.
- Zeelandia Bay, East coast. 3 km long, black sand beach, swimming is not recommended as there are strong underwater currents on the Atlantic side.
- Venus Bay. Secluded bay in the north of the east coast, without a real beach, can be reached from the main road in 45 minutes.
Water supply
The drinking water comes from rainwater tanks. It should be boiled before consumption. There are also some fountains. The oil terminal's water extraction system has a daily overproduction of 280,000 liters. This water is distributed by tank trucks. Government plans include building a seawater desalination plant and water connections for every home.
Oranjestad
The "island capital" is also the only place on the island. A 35-40 m high cliff divides the upper town from the port facilities. Close to Fort Oranje, there is an old wash-out in the 30 m high cliff at Claes Ghaut. Even in the days of slavery there was a footpath leading to the harbor. Today this path has become more convenient thanks to stairs. In the lower, drivable part it is the Bay Road. As a result of a seaquake, most of the historic trading houses and warehouses in the lower town were completely or partially sunk in the sea. Divers can explore the remains of the wall just below the surface.
getting there
Entry requirements
Immigration Office: Department of Immigration, Van Tonningenweg, Tel. 318-2477, Fax 318-2371.
For nationals from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, a valid passport and return or onward flight is sufficient for a stay of up to 90 days.
Exit regulations
An airport fee of US $ 5.65 within the Netherlands Antilles and US $ 12 for international destinations must be paid upon departure.
By plane
Franklin D. Roosevelt Airport, IATA Code - EUX, ICAO Code - TNCE, runway 06/24, 4.265 x 100 feet (1.400 x 30 m), asphalt. Concordia, Tel. / Fax 318-2887.
There are five daily flights with WinAir to the island of Sint Maarten. From there there are connecting flights on the other WinAir route network. WinAir, Sint Maarten, Tel. 545-4237, 545-4230
By boat
There is no ferry service from other islands to Sint Eustatius.
- Port administration: St. Eustatius Port Services, Lampeweg, Tel. 318-2000, Fax 318-2285.
- Harbor Master, Gallows Bay, Tel. 318-2888, Fax 318-2205.
- The new port facilities were built in 1993. There is a breakwater 80 m long and 8 m wide. The Ro-Ro Pier is 60 m long and 15 m wide. The port has a water depth of 4.30 m and storage space of 5,500 m². An expansion of the port facilities with berths for 60 yachts is being planned.
- Statia Terminals NV is a private company. It operates an oil deposit to the northwest of Oranjestad.
mobility
The national / international driving license is recognized. The maximum speed in built-up areas is 30 km / h, outside 50 km / h.
Car rental company
- Co-Rentals. Tel.: 318-2941, Fax: 318-2940.
- Rental prices: Rental car per day, US $ 30-45, jeep US $ 30; per week, US $ 210-270, jeep US $ 180
Bicycle rental
- Scubaqua. Tel.: 318-2433. Price: Price: US $ 10 per day.
Scooter rental
- Mansion Scooter Rental. Tel.: 318-2764, Fax: 318-2626.
Gas station
- Pompier Gas Station, Gallows Bay. Tel.: 318-2705.
Tourist Attractions
Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples
- Honen Dalim Synagogue. The Honen Dalim Synagogue was built between 1739 and 1772. This is the second oldest synagogue in the western world. Many Jewish traders left the island after Admiral Rodney's raid. In 1846 the last Jew on the island died and the synagogue fell into disrepair. About 500 meters east of the synagogue is the Jewish cemetery with gravestones bearing the dates 1742 to 1843.
- Dutch Reformed Church. Protestant church, built between 1774 and 1775, the walls are up to six meters thick. After the attack by Admiral Rodney, the parish became so small that the last pastor left the island in 1792, in the same year a hurricane destroyed the church roof. The tower, which was also destroyed, was renovated in 1981 and today offers a good all-round view. In the adjacent cemetery there is also the grave of the former governor Jan de Windt, who died in 1775.
Castles, chateaux and palaces
- Fort Orange. In 1629 the French built a first parapet on this 40 m high cliff. After the Dutch took the island in 1636, the fort was gradually expanded to become the strongest island fortification. It is still completely intact today. From here you can see the whole bay.
Buildings
- Gasthuis Governments. The 18th century Gouvernement Gasthuis was renovated in 1992 with EU funds. Today it is the seat of the government and the tourist information office. The court is located on the upper floor.
Museums
- Berkels Family Museum, Lynch Plantation. Tel.: 318-2338. This private museum displays historical household items from the past 250 years.
- St. Eustatius Historical Foundation, Wilhelmina way. Tel.: 318-2288, 318-2338. The historic Huis De Graaff, also known as Jan Simmons Doncker Huis, is the home of a merchant from the 18th century. The museum is housed there today. Much of the original furnishings have been preserved, with some other historical exhibits added. The museum's pre-Columbian collection is housed in the former wine cellar of the Gasthuis governorate.Open: Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Price: Entry 2 US $.
Parks
- Miriam C. Schmidt Botanical Gardens, "Behind the Mountain" street. Tel.: 318-2884. This facility on the slopes of the Quill volcano is still under construction. So far you can only find a greenhouse, a small office building and a large number of unmarked hiking trails and plants.
various
- Fort Amsterdam. Originally built around 1780 as Fort Concordia on a cliff. The first written sources show the fort on a French map from 1781. On the Dutch map by Grevelink, like all other fortifications, it is marked as "Verwallen battery", ie as a ruin. The fort is at the end of the runway from the airport. It's a lovely picnic spot overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
- Battery St. Louis. The Battery St. Louis gun emplacement was built around 1780 at the southern end of Concordia Bay. The walls were 75 cm thick and 90 cm high. Since the Compagnie Bay was neither suitable as an anchorage nor for landing troops, this fortification was set up exclusively for crossfire to the Concordia and Corre Corre gun positions. Due to erosion, the facility is in poor condition today.
- White wall. This is a colossal limestone slab. The force of the volcano detached it from the sea floor and pushed it 250 m high out of the sea. When arriving by ship, you can see them from a distance of 30 km.
activities
Fitness center
- Schmidt Sports Complex, Rosemarie Laan. Tel.: 318-2711.
Diving
- Scubaqua, c / o Blue Bead Bar & Restaurant, Lower Town (PADI). Tel.: 318-5450, Fax: 318-2160. Price: Prices: Beginner course US $ 85, diving with one tank US $ 45, with two tanks US $ 80, night diving US $ 60, rescue diving US $ 350, deep water diving US $ 350.
tennis
hike
- There are various marked hiking trails, some of which can be hiked in combination, or which complement or overlap. Organized hikes are carried out by the St. Eustatius Historical Foundation, Tel. / Fax 382433. The hiking trails are marked on the map of St. Eustatius.
Description of the hiking trails
- 1 - Quill Track, time: 75 minutes, degree of difficulty: slightly tiring. After rainfall, the path is slippery in some places. About halfway down Welfare Road, one of the power poles on the side of the road is marked with "Quill Track 1". The ascent to the crater rim takes 45 minutes, the descent 30.
- 2 - alternative, time: 60 minutes, degree of difficulty: easy. This trail starts at the end of Rosemary Laan, it meets at the end with Quill Track 1.
- 3 - Crater Track, time: 2 x 25 minutes, level of difficulty: medium, steep, often very slippery. This path leads into the crater.
- 4 - Mazinga Track, time: 2 x 45 minutes, degree of difficulty: medium, steep, often very slippery. The path runs along the southern rim of the crater. Only descend from the crater rim when an arrow clearly indicates that the path leads to the 600 m high Mazingo summit.
- 5 - The Panorama Track, time: 2 x 30 minutes, level of difficulty: difficult, very steep, often slippery. This path runs along the northern rim of the crater. Only follow the path as long as it is signposted as a hiking trail. There is a continuation, but this path is dangerously steep!
- 6 - Around the Mountain, time: 2 x 90 minutes, level of difficulty: easy, but tiring because of the length. The trail begins at the far end of the Behind the Mountain Road. The last 2 km of this road are unpaved, but you can drive on it carefully, otherwise the path will be extended by 2 x 25 minutes.
- 7 - Soldier Gut Track, time: 2 x 25 minutes, level of difficulty: easy. This path begins at the same point as track 6. However, it is a direct extension of "Behind the Mountain Road". About halfway there you can enter the Soldier Gut Gorge, but you should only do so as an experienced climber.
- 8 - Corre Bay Track, time: 2 x 40 minutes, level of difficulty: easy. In the middle of the "Behind the Mountain Road" a white square with (!) Is painted on a large stone on the right side of the street, the hiking trail begins on the other side of the street.
- 9 - Venus Bay Track, time: 2 x 40 minutes, level of difficulty: easy. This path begins about 150 m WSW from "Thalasso Resort".
- 10 - Gilboa Hill Track, time: 2 x 40 minutes, degree of difficulty: easy. The path has the same starting point as track 9, after about 20 minutes of hiking it turns right to Gilboa Hill.
- 11 - Jenkins Bay Track, time: 2 x 60 minutes, degree of difficulty: easy. The path starts like track 9, after about 35 minutes it turns to the west coast. After reaching the steep coast, only experienced hikers should dare to descend to the sea.
shop
- Happy City Supermarket. Open: Mon - Sat 8 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Lady Ama's supermarket. Food.Open: Mon - Thu 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Fri 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sat 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Mazinga Gift Shop, Fort Oranje Straat. Tel.: 318-2245, Fax: 318-2230. Souvenirs, cosmetics, groceries.Open: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
- People Choice Supermarket. Open: Mon - Thu 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Fri 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sat from sunset to 9:00 p.m., Sun 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Peso supermarket. Open: Mon - Thu 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., Fri 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sat 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Sun 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Sand Box Bakery, Kerkweg. Tel.: 318-2469, Fax: 318-2202. Bakery.Open: Mon - Sat 6:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Smidt’s Enterprises. Groceries, supermarket.Open: Mo - Fr 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., Sa 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Sun 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
kitchen
The island cuisine has a Creole style. Pickled mussels, pickled conch, grilled, well-seasoned fish and lobster are particularly recommended.
Restaurants
- Blue Bead Bar & Restaurant, Gallows Bay. Tel.: 318-2873, Fax: 318-2873. French, Italian.Open: only in the winter season.
- Franky's, De Ruyter Weg, opposite the Methodist Church. Tel.: 318-4948, Fax: 318-4948. Open: every day except Wed.
- Intermezzo Coffee Shop, Fort Oranjestraat. Tel.: 318-3061.
- Ocean View Terrace, Government Guest House. Tel.: 318-2934.
- Original fruit tree, H. M. Queen Beatrixstraat. Tel.: 318-2584. West Indian.Open: Wed from 7 p.m. Bar-Be-Que, Fri 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. happy hour.
- Smoke Alley Beach Bar & Grill, Lower Town. Tel.: 318-2002. Open air restaurant.Open: Mon - Sat 11.30 a.m. - 2.00 p.m. 6.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m., bar open from 12.00 p.m., Fri live music.
- Sonny's place, Fort Oranje Straat, next to Mazinga shop. Tel.: 318-2929. Chinese.Open: daily 9 a.m. - midnight.
- SuperBurger, De Graaffweg. Tel.: 318-2412, Fax: 318-2412. Quick meals.Open: daily 11.30 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.
accommodation
- Country Inn ***, Biesheuvelweg, Concordia. Tel.: 318-2484, Fax: 318-2484. 6 rooms.Price: All year round: single 50 US $, double 60 US $; Breakfast US $ 5, rental prices including taxes, credit cards are not accepted.
- Golden Era Hotel ***, Smoke Alley, Lower Town. Tel.: 318-2345, Fax: 318-2445. 20 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool, PADI diving school, live music on Sundays.Price: All year round: single 90-120 US $, double 98-150 US $. Rental prices include breakfast and taxes.
- Kings Well Hotel ***, Smoke Alley. Tel.: 318-2538, Fax: 318-2538. 12 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool.Price: All year round: single 90-125 US $, double 120-150 US $. Rental prices include breakfast and taxes.
- Statia Lodge, White wall. Tel.: 318-1900, Fax: 318-2873. 10 bungalows.Price: All year round: Bungalow 1 person US $ 125, 2 persons US $ 145, 3-4 persons US $ 225. Prices including taxes, including scooter or car.
- The Old Gin House ****, Lower Town. Tel.: 318-2319, Fax: 318-2135. 18 rooms and suites, restaurant, bar, fresh water pool. The historic cotton mill from the 18th century was renovated in the summer of 1999.Price: All year round: single room 125-155 US $, double room 135-165 US $, suite 250-275 US $. Rental prices include breakfast, plus taxes.
Learn
- The University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine (USESOM), Golden rock. Tel.: 318-2600. The institute opened in September 1999, courses of study: Anatomy, Hyperbaric Medicine, Molecular Research, Pathology and Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physiology.
security
Crime is virtually unknown on the island. Valuables, especially diving equipment, should not be left unattended on the beach.
health
There is only one emergency care on the island!
doctors
- Doctors Residence, Prinsesweg. Tel.: 318-2302.
pharmacy
- Madge's Medicine Store, Fort Oranje Straat 20. Tel.: 318-2243.
Practical advice
Banks
- First Caribbean International Bank, Mazinga Mall. Tel.: 318-2392, Fax: 318-2734. Open: Mon - Thu 8.30 a.m. - 3.30 p.m., Fri 8.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. 2 p.m. - 4.30 p.m.
- Windward Islands Bank, Mazinga Mall. Tel.: 318-2846-48, Fax: 318-2850. ATM.Open: Mon - Thu 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Fri 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., 2 p.m. - 4.30 p.m.
police
- Headquarters, Van Tonningen way. Tel.: 318-2333.
administration
- Sint Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation, port. Tel.: 318-2205.
Post office
- Post Spaarbank. Open: Mon - Fri 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Courier services
To phone
On Sint Eustatius, telephone numbers have seven digits and begin with the number 3. There are no area codes. Although the country code is officially with 599-3 is shown is only 599 elected. The number three is part of the telephone number.
Internet
- Computers & More. Tel.: 318-2596.
- Public Library. Library.
trips
Travel agencies, island tours
- 4 Piek Services. Tel.: 318-3291, Fax: 318-0018.
- Prices: Fishing, ½ day, US $ 350, full day, US $ 560; Island tour 2 hours, US $ 35-40; City tour US $ 7; Hike to Mount Quill, US $ 10
