CARIBBEAN Saba, The Netherlands Saba is a Caribbean island and the smallest special municipality (officially public body) of the Netherlands. Saba, including the islet of Green Island, became a special municipality within the country of the Netherlands after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010. The island has a land area of 13 square kilometres (5.0 sq mi). As of January 2013, the population was 1,991 inhabitants. Saba even has smallest runway, Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport which, is only 400m in length and reputed to be the shortest commercial air strip in the world! As the island is part of the Netherlands, Dutch is the official language. Despite the islands Dutch affiliation, English is the principal language spoken on the island and has been used in its school system since the 19th century. English can therefore be used in communications of and to the government,[2] although there is a local dialect. Since 1 January 2011, the U.S. dollar has been the official currency, replacing the Netherlands Antillean guilder. Saba is home to the Saba University School of Medicine, which was established by American expatriates in coordination with the government of the Netherlands. The school adds over 400 residents when classes are in session.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 12:05:45 +0000
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