The Bottom Explained

The Bottom
Settlement Type:Capital city
Mapsize:250px
Pushpin Map:Saba#Lesser Antilles#Caribbean
Coordinates:17.6261°N -63.2492°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Netherlands
Subdivision Type1:Public body
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:462
Population As Of:2001
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:AST
Utc Offset1:-4
Blank Name:Climate

The Bottom (formerly Botte) is the capital and largest town of the island of Saba,[2] the Caribbean Netherlands. It is the first stop on the way from Saba's Port in Fort Bay towards the rest of the island. In 2001, it had 462 inhabitants of the total 1,349 islanders.[1] It is the administrative center of Saba.[3]

History

The first European settlements occurred around 1640, by colonists from Zeeland.[4] [5] [6] After a landslide destroyed their original settlement, these settlers established a village in The Bottom. The original name of the village was De Botte, old Dutch for "The Bowl", referring to its geographical position in a valley surrounded by the various mountains. "The Bottom" is an English corruption of this name.[7] After the Dutch settlers, Irish, English, and Scottish settlers followed, along with enslaved Africans, and the main language of the island's villages became English.By the 1860s, The Bottom was one of 7 main districts, with St. John's, Windwardside, Booby Hill, Mary's Point (Palmetto Point), Hell's Gate, and Middle Island.[8] The Bottom district had its own elected head, as did the other districts. In 1865, the population of The Bottom was 616 inhabitants. In 1877, construction of Sacred Heart Catholic Church began in The Bottom; the church is still operational today, although the building was replaced in 1909 and again in 1934.

Throughout the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, most men in The Bottom engaged in farming or fishing. Men in The Bottom also engaged in shipbuilding, which was one of Saba's industries in the 19th century. Most women engaged in domestic work in the home, as well as hatmaking and local drawn thread work known as Saba Lace.By 1900, The Bottom was one of four main villages on Saba, along with St. John's, Windwardside, and Hell's Gate.[9] In 1909, a navigation school opened in The Bottom; it operated until 1922. In 1919, construction began on the Weselyan Holiness Church in The Bottom; the church is still operational today. In 1923,Queen Wilhemina Library opened in The Bottom; the library still operational today. Saba's first movie theater opened in 1953, and its second in 1964.In the early- to mid- 20th century, there was extensive emigration from Saba, and The Bottom's population was cut almost in half. By 1972, the population of The Bottom had decreased to 341 inhabitants.

In the mid- to late- 20th century, there was economic development on Saba, and especially in The Bottom and Windwardside. The first supermarket opened in The Bottom in 1964.[10] In 1992, the Saba University School of Medicine opened in The Bottom. In 2001, the population of Windwardside was 462 inhabitants.[11]

Infrastructure

The Bottom is home to the government offices, a hospital, a nursing home, a sports field, three churches, a library, the Queen's Hotel resort, and various shops, restaurants, and bars. The Bottom is also the location of the Saba University School of Medicine.

The city also has the smallest Cruyff Court in the world

Events

As capital of the island, The Bottom hosts a number of events throughout the year.

During the summer, the island's Carnival celebration (called Saba Carnival or Saba Summer Festival) takes place. Usually in late July, Saba Carnival is a weeklong festival that includes live music, food, dancing, games, and parades.[12] [13] Carnival Village, where the majority of the events take place, is located in The Bottom.[14] Each night during the week, there is live music at Carnival Village.[15] The jourvert parade (very early Saturday morning)[16] begins in Windwardside and ends in The Bottom. The Grand Parade and the Second Parade take place in The Bottom on Saturday and Sunday.[17] Locals and tourists congregate in The Bottom for the parades, which include energetic music, colorful floats, and troupes wearing colorful costumes.[18] [19]

Another event held in The Bottom is Saba Day. This is the celebratory national day of the island, when all offices, schools and businesses are closed. The islanders honour their diversity and culture through various activities, performances and parades.[20] [21] The Bottom hosts a concert at the sports field, where local (and neighbouring) Caribbean artists come to perform.[22] There are fishing competitions at sea, drawing competitions for children, dance performances, cookouts, and more.

Hiking

The Bottom is the location of many trailheads.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Geodata 2001, Saba & Sint.Eustatius, Census 2001 . Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, Netherlands Antilles. 3 May 2021. 2001. 17.
  2. http://www.sabatourism.com/sabavillages.html The villages of Saba (Saba Tourist Bureau)
  3. Web site: 2018-06-21 . About Saba: History and Culture . 2024-01-16 . Saba Tourism . en-US.
  4. Web site: 2021-02-06 . The Chronological History of Saba . 2024-01-15 . The Saba Islander . en.
  5. Book: Hartog, Johannes . History of Saba . 1975 . Saba Artisan Foundation . . en.
  6. Book: Crane, Julia G. . Educated to Emigrate: The Social Organization of Saba . 1971 . Round the World Publishing . 978-90-232-0702-3 . en.
  7. Web site: The Bottom . 5 May 2021 . Beautiful Saba.
  8. Book: Hartog, Johannes . History of Saba . 1975 . Saba Artisan Foundation . . en.
  9. Book: Crane, Julia G. . Educated to Emigrate: The Social Organization of Saba . 1971 . Round the World Publishing . 978-90-232-0702-3 . en.
  10. Web site: 2021-02-06 . The Chronological History of Saba . 2024-01-16 . The Saba Islander . en.
  11. Web site: Geodata 2001, Saba & Sint.Eustatius, Census 2001 . Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, Netherlands Antilles. 3 May 2021. 2001. 17.
  12. Web site: 2023-08-03 . Saba's carnival week 2023 was fun and safe . 2024-01-16 . Saba News . en-US.
  13. News: July 24, 2015 . Saba Carnival 'forty years long, still jamming strong' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322022111/http://archive.saba-news.com/2015/07/24/saba-carnival-forty-years-long-still-jamming-strong/ . March 22, 2023 . Saba-News.com.
  14. Web site: Department . Graphics . 2018-08-03 . Public Entity Saba thankful for 'safe and enjoyable' Carnival . 2024-01-16 . The Daily Herald . en-gb.
  15. Web site: 2023-03-22 . Saba Carnival - Saba . 2024-01-16 . ArrivalGuides.com . en.
  16. Web site: 2023-07-20 . 2023 Carnival Poster presented . 2024-01-16 . Saba News . en-US.
  17. Web site: Byron . Anglina . 2023-06-29 . EXCLUSIVE: Saba Carnival 2023 schedule announced, Makana Ferry sells tickets . 2024-01-16 . Associates Times a Caribbean News website . en-US.
  18. Web site: Windt . Daniella De . 2022-07-28 . Saba's Nostalgic and Modern 2022 Carnival . 2024-01-16 . The Daily Herald . en-gb.
  19. Web site: 2018-07-20 . Events - Saba Tourism . 2024-01-16 . en-US.
  20. Web site: Department . Graphics . 2023-12-04 . Official ceremony of 48th Saba Day reflected on resilience and identity . 2024-01-16 . The Daily Herald . en-gb.
  21. Web site: Department . Graphics . 2020-12-07 . Saba celebrates 45 years of Saba Day with vigour . 2024-01-16 . The Daily Herald . en-gb.
  22. Web site: Dept . Editorial . 2022-12-04 . Saba gathers for 47th edition of Saba Day . 2024-01-16 . The Daily Herald . en-gb.
  23. Web site: 2022-03-10 . Hiking Saba Tourism . 2024-01-16 . en-US.
  24. Web site: Plan your Hike . 2024-01-16 . Saba Conservation Foundation . en-US.
  25. Web site: Plan your Hike . 2024-01-10 . Saba Conservation Foundation . en-US.
  26. http://www.sabatourism.com/sabavillages.html The villages of Saba (Saba Tourist Bureau)