World Country Guide

General Information

Area
13 sq km (5 sq miles).

Population
1466 (official estimate 1996).

Population Density
113 per sq km.

Capital
The Bottom.

Geography
Saba is one of three Windward Islands in the Netherlands Antilles, although geographically it is part of the Leeward Group of the Lesser Antilles, lying 265km (165 miles) east of Puerto Rico, 44km (27 miles) south of St Maarten and 21km (13 miles) west of St Eustatius. Saba is the peak of a submerged extinct volcano. Mount Scenery is thick with forest and rises to almost 900m (3000ft) in less than 2km (1.2 miles). There are four villages, until recently connected only by thousands of steps cut from the rock. A road now links the airport with The Bottom.

Government
Part of the Netherlands Antilles; dependency of The Netherlands. Gained internal autonomy in 1954. Head of State: HM Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands, represented locally by Governor Dr Fritz M de los Santos Goedgedrag. Head of Government: Prime Minister Miguel A Pourier since 2002. The Netherlands Antilles consist of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten. The capital of the island group is Willemstad, Curaao.

Language
Dutch is the official language. Papiamento (a mixture of Portuguese, African, Spanish, Dutch and English) is the commonly used lingua franca. English and Spanish are also widely spoken.

Religion
Roman Catholic majority; also Anglican and Wesleyan.

Time
GMT - 4.

Electricity
110/220 volts AC, 60Hz.

Communications

Telephone
Fully automatic system with good IDD. Country code: 599. Outgoing international code: 00. Calls made through the operator are more expensive and include a 15 per cent tax. IDD is available from hotels and some phone booths.

Mobile telephone
Analogue networks operated by Windward Islands Cellular and digital analogue network (system B) by East Caribbean Cellular (website: www.eastcaribbeancellular.com). Compatible with most US handsets but not with GSM handsets. Roaming agreements exist. Handsets can be hired at the company offices in The Bottom. GSM network is being developed and should now be in operation. Most US handsets can be used, and can be activated with a temporary number before or after arrival on the island. Visitors can also register online with ECC.

Internet
There is currently one Internet cafe on the island, in Windwardside.

Telegram
Services operated by Antelecom and Lands Radio Dienst.

Post
The post office is in The Bottom. Airmail to Europe takes four to six days, surface mail four to six weeks.

Press
The Saba Herald is published monthly in English.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.