conventional long name	Saba
common name	Saba
image coat	Saba wapen.svg
national motto	''"Remis Velisque"'' (Latin)''"With oars and sails"'' (English)
national anthem	''"Saba you rise from the ocean"''
official languages	Dutch, English
government type	''See Politics of the Netherlands''
leader title1	Lt. Governor
leader name1	Jonathan Johnson
sovereignty type	Constitutional monarchy
sovereignty note	Part of the Netherlands
capital	The Bottom
largest city	The Bottom
area magnitude	1_E12
area km2	13
area sq mi	5
population census	1,424
population census year	2004
population census	2,000
population census year	2010
population density km2 (2004)	104
population density sq mi (2004)	285
population density km2 (2010)	123
utc offset	-4
time zone	-4
currency	US dollar
currency code	USD
cctld	.an, .nl
calling code	599 }}

Saba () is a Caribbean island and the smallest special municipality (officially ''public body'') of the Netherlands. It consists largely of the potentially active volcano Mount Scenery (877 m), the highest point of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Netherlands proper.

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 km² (5 sq. miles). At the 2001 Netherlands Antilles census, the population was 1,349 inhabitants, which means a population density of 104 inhabitants per km². In 2004 the population was estimated at 1,424 inhabitants. Its current major towns and settlements include The Bottom, Windwardside, Hell's Gate and St. Johns.

As the island is part of the Netherlands, Dutch is the official language. Despite the island's 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 communication of and to the government although there is a local dialect. Since January 1, 2011, the U.S. dollar has been the official currency, replacing the Netherlands Antillian Guilder.

Saba is home to the Saba University School of Medicine, which was established by American expatriates in coordination with the Netherlands government. The school adds over 300 residents when classes are in session, and it is the prime educational attraction. A.M. Edwards Medical Center is the major provider of healthcare for local residents.

History

The origin of the name "Saba" is often mistakenly believed to be derived from the Arawak Indian word for "rock", which was "siba". However, the true source of the name Saba \s(a)- ba\ is of Greek and Arabic (colloquial Arabic Saba سابا and classical Arabic سبأ ) origin, and its meaning is from Sheba: "morning". Saba refers to the Biblical queen of Sheba. Christopher Columbus is said to have sighted Saba on November 13, 1493, but he did not land, as the island's perilously rocky shores were a major deterrent to Columbus and his crew. In 1632 a group of shipwrecked Englishmen landed upon Saba; they stated they found the island uninhabited when they were rescued. However, there has been some evidence found indicating that Carib or Arawak Indians may have been on the island.

In 1635 a stray Frenchman claimed Saba for Louis XIII of France and around the year 1640, the Dutch Governor of the neighboring island of St. Eustatius sent people over to colonize the island for the Dutch West India Company. In 1664, these settlers were evicted to St. Maarten by Thomas Morgan, The Netherlands have been in continuous possession of Saba since 1816 after numerous flag changes (British-Dutch-French) during the previous centuries.

In the 17th and 18th centuries its major industries were sugar and rum, and later fishing, particularly lobster fishing. In the 17th century Saba was believed to be a favorable hideout for Jamaican pirates. England also deported its "undesirable" people to live in the Caribbean colonies. They too became pirates, taking haven on Saba. The most notable native Saban pirate was Hiram Beakes, who famously quipped, "Dead men tell no tales." Legitimate sailing and trade later became important and many of the island's men took to the seas, during which time Saba lace became an important product made by the island's women.

The remains of the 1640 settlements can be found on the west side at Tent Bay. They were destroyed by a landslide in the 17th century.

Geography and ecology

The environment of Saba is mainly composed of woodland forest with ferns and damp soil, and many mango trees. There used to be forests of Mountain Mahogany trees until a hurricane in the 1960s destroyed many of the trees. These are ''Freziera undulata'' [Theaceae], and unrelated to other Mahogany species, one of which is, however, planted at lower levels on the island small-leaved mahogany, ''Swietenia mahagoni'' [Meliaceae]. The Mahogany trees are considered at risk of going extinct on the island. Visitors refer to Saba's forests as "the Elfin Forest" because of its high altitude mist and mossy appearance. Since then there has been a woodland reserve created and aptly named "Elfin Forest Reserve". Saba's lush plant and animal wildlife are diverse and are looked after by the Saba Conservation Foundation.

4.3 km southwest of Saba is the Saba Bank, a large submerged atoll of rich biodiversity, and a prime fishing ground, particularly for lobster.

People and culture

The population of Saba (the ''Sabans'') consists of only 1,424 people who come from all over the world. The island's small size has led to a fairly small number of island families, who can trace their last names back to around a half-dozen families. This means that many last names are shared around the island, the most numerous being Hassell and Johnson. Most families are a rich intermixing of Dutch, Scottish, and African heritage. The population is also descended from the Irish who were exiled from that country after the accession of King Charles I of England in 1625; Charles exiled these Irish to the Caribbean in an effort to quell rebellion after he had forcibly procured their lands for his Scottish noble supporters.

Historically, the island was traded among the many European nations that fought for power in the region. Slaves were also imported to work on Saba. Both English and Dutch are used on the island and taught in schools. In more recent years Saba has become home to a large group of expatriates, and around 250 immigrants who are either students or teachers at the Saba University School of Medicine. Sabans are mostly Roman Catholic by faith; however, there is also a Wesleyan Church Holiness community on the island. Other religions practiced on the island include Anglican, Seventh-day Adventist, Muslim, and Jewish faiths.

The island is small and consists almost entirely of steep slopes, which makes farming very difficult, so many Sabans took to the sea, making their living as legitimate sailors. Their seafaring traditions made it not uncommon for many men to seek better employment in the United States Navy. It was not uncommon for men to forge their birth certificates to enter the U.S. Navy without obstruction. Although the details of his early personal biography are virtually unknown, it is possible that Chief Boatswain Edwin J. Hill was one of these Saban sailors. He received the United States' highest military honor, the Navy version of the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for heroism during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, in which he died. Because of the commonplace practice of forging a birth certificate to enter the U.S. Navy, Hill's Saban birth cannot be absolutely proven; however, it is known that his immediate and extended family were Saban.

Transport

There is one road, aptly called "The Road". Its construction was masterminded by Josephus Lambert Hassell who, despite the common opinion of Dutch and Swiss engineers, believed that a road could be built. He took a correspondence course in civil engineering, and started building the road with a crew of locals in 1938. After five years of work, the first section of the road, from Fort Bay to The Bottom, was completed. It was not until 1947, however, that the first motor vehicle arrived. In 1951, the road to Windwardside and St. Johns was opened, and in 1958 the road was completed. Driving "The Road" is considered to be a daunting task, and the curves in Windwardside are extremely difficult to negotiate. Driving is on the right hand side.

In 1963 the island built a 400 metre landing strip for easier trips to the island using aircraft: Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport. This landing strip is reputed to be the shortest commercial runway in the world, and as such, only three models of airplane are able to land there regularly. Consistent air service from Sint Maarten and Sint Eustatius is available through Windward Islands Airways (Winair). The small airport comes equipped with a fire station and an air control tower.

In 1972 a pier was completed in Fort Bay to access the island and this has made it easier for visitors to come visit the island. Travel is also provided by ferry services to and from Sint Maarten with the ''Dawn II'' and ''The Edge''.

Of note in The Bottom area, are 800 steps carved from stone, that go from Ladder Bay to The Bottom. Everything was carried to the island by hand until the late 20th century. These steps are still there today and are frequently used by tourists wishing to experience an intense climb.

Economy

Saba lace (also known as ''"Spanish work"'') was a major export of Saba. In the 1870s, as a young lady, Mary Gertrude Hassell Johnson, was sent to a Caracas convent in Venezuela for study – where she learned the difficult craft. The lacework spread through the island. The women of Saba began a mail-order business, and would copy addresses of businesses off shipping containers from the United States, and write to the employees. Often they would get orders for the lacework, and it started a considerable cottage industry. By 1928, the women were exporting around $15,000 (USD) worth of lace products each year.

Tourism

The island of Saba is known today for tourism, especially its ecotourism. Because the island is relatively new to the tourism industry, it only sees about 25,000 visitors each year. Saba is increasing in its popularity as a vacation destination because of its excellent scuba diving, climbing and hiking. Even though Saba is a small island, it supports two hyperbaric chambers in case of diving emergencies. Additionally, soon a ship equipped with another hyperbaric chamber will be stationed outside of Fort Bay to assist in diving emergencies at sea.

There are few anchorages, and a small airport with service from St. Maarten and Sint Eustatius. There is also a ferry service from St. Maarten. The ferries Dawn II and The Edge both travel to Saba three times a week. Saba's brilliantly colorful and pristine coral life make it one of the most sublime places to scuba dive in the world, and is often listed as one of the Top 10 diving destinations in the world. Many attribute the underwater life's purity to the island's remoteness and the caring of the people. The waters around the island were designated as the Saba National Marine Park in 1987, subject to government regulation to preserve its coral reefs and other marine life. Thus, Saba is known as "The Unspoiled Queen" of the Caribbean. Saba has inns, hotels, rental cottages and restaurants.

Notable Sabans

Hiram Beakes – 18th Century pirate who originated the phrase, "Dead men tell no tales."

Edwin J. Hill – Recipient (posthumously) of the United States Navy Medal of Honor for heroism during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. (Believed to be a Saban native who forged a birth certificate in order to enter the U.S. Navy.)

Stewart A. Chipka – Orchid Research specialist who discovered multiple new and hybrid species on the island. Stewart died in his home on Saba, October 31, 2010.

See also

Caribbean Netherlands

Caribbean Sea

Leeward Islands

References

External links

Island Government of Saba homepage

Saba's Tourist Bureau homepage

Saba Conservation Foundation's homepage

Saba (N.A.): Bos en nationale parken. 54pp.

Category:Islands of the Netherlands Antilles Category:Kingdom of the Netherlands Category:Lesser Antilles Category:Netherlands Antilles articles correct after Dissolution Category:Caribbean Netherlands

af:Saba als:Saba (Insel) ar:سابا an:Saba br:Saba bg:Саба ca:Illa de Saba cs:Saba da:Saba (Caribien) de:Saba (Insel) el:Σάμπα (Ολλανδία) et:Saba saar es:Saba eo:Saba eu:Saba fr:Saba fy:Saba gl:Saba ko:사바 섬 id:Saba it:Saba (isola) he:סאבא lv:Saba lt:Saba li:Saba lmo:Saba (Antil Ulandes) mk:Саба nl:Saba ja:サバ島 no:Saba (øy) oc:Saba pnb:سائبا pap:Saba pms:Saba (Antile Olandèise) pl:Saba (terytorium) pt:Saba ro:Saba ru:Саба (остров) simple:Saba sr:Саба fi:Saba (Karibia) sv:Saba (ö) tl:Saba ta:சேபா tr:Saba uk:Саба (острів) vi:Saba zh-yue:薩巴島 zh:薩巴 (荷蘭)

name	Saba Qamar
birth name	Sabahat Qamar
birth date	December 25, 1981
birth place	Lahore, Pakistan
nationality	Pakistani
religion	Islam
occupation	Model, TV actress, Host
spouse	}}

Sabahat Qamar, better known as Saba Qamar, is a Pakistani model and actress from Lahore. She has appeared in a variety of television dramas, as well as advertisements. She made her debut in PTV drama ''Main Aurat Hoon'', and is most well known for her roles as Suraiya and Sana in Hum TV dramas Dastaan and Pani Jaisa Piyar, respectively. She is also widely recognized as a co-host of the political satire show Hum Sub Umeed Se Hain.

Saba won the 16th annual PTV award on 23 July 2011 for the best TV actress in both public and jury choice categories.

Television

Drama Serials
! Year	! Drama	! Character	! Channel
2006	''Kahin Tum Kahin Hum''
2006	''Gharoor''
2006	''Jinnah Ke Naam''		Pakistan Television Corporation
2007	''Mein Aurat Hoon''
2007	''Faseel-E-Jaan Se Aage''
2007	''Amr Bail''
2008	''Unbayanable''
2008	''Mamoo''
2008	''Muhabbat Yunhi Bhi Hoti Hai''
2008	''Woh Subh Kab Ayegi''
2008	''Banjar''		[[Geo TV
2009	''Teri Ik Nazar''		Geo TV
2009	''Nadia Naam Ki Larki''	Nadia	Geo TV
2009	''Bhool''		TvOne
2010	''Kanpur Se Katas Tak''		Hum TV
2010	''Tinkay''		Pakistan Television Corporation
2010	''[[Uraan''	Ayesha	Geo TV
2010			Hum TV; Winner, best supporting actress
2011	''Pani Jaisa Piyar''	Sana	Hum TV
2011	''Khalda Ki Walda''
2011	''Maat''	Siman	Hum TV

See also

List of Pakistani actors

List of Pakistani models

References

External links

Category:Living people Category:1984 births Category:Pakistani female models

name	Nicole Saba
background	solo_singer
born	June 26, 1974
origin	Beirut, Lebanon
genre	Arabic pop music, Arabic music, pop
occupation	Singer / Actress
website	http://www.nicolesaba.net }}

Nicole Saba (Arabic: نيكول سابا, Armenian: Նիկոլ Սաբա)(Nicole Chaba Elias) is a singer and actress from Lebanon, Armenian origin.

From 1998-2001, Saba was a member of the Lebanese pop group The 4 Cats, then embarked on a solo singing as well as an acting career. Her debut album was released in 2004, and her first film came out in 2003. She has subsequently had success with additional roles in Egyptian-made films.

Nicole was given the award for the best singer in 2004 by ''Sayidaty'' magazine

Filmography

2003: ''El Tagroba Al Denemarkeya'' (''The Danish Experience'') was Nicole's first acting experience. Nicole was chosen by the Egyptian actor Adel Emam to co-lead the movie with him. Nicole played the role of a Danish girl called "Anita" who went to stay for a while with an Egyptian family "Kadri and his sons" as she changes their lives totally, the movie was a hit in 2003 and made it to the top at the box office and was well accepted by the press.

2006: ''Tomn Dastet Ashrar'' was Nicole's second experience in acting as she joined a group of stars such as Yasmien Abdel Aziz, Mohamed Ragab and Khaled Saleh as they all combine together to form a big robbery group and on the way they help their friend who falls in love. Nicole plays "Lily" the one responsible to help their friend with his love story.

2006: ''Kesit el Hai El Sha'abi'' (Arabic: قصة الحي الشعبي) (The Story of the Common Neighborhood) is Nicole's third acting experience, and is considered to be the first movie she plays the main heroine in. In this movie Nicole plays as the daughter of an old singer who her bands plans to continue playing their music as they start searching for Nicole to take her mother's place. Although the movie wasn't a hit at the box office but it was still a good step for Nicole to make as she experienced playing as an upper Egyptian woman, and many other different characters that she never had the chance to play before.

2008: ''The BabyDoll Night (film)'' (''Leilet El-Baby Doll'') (Arabic: ليلة البيبي دول)

2009: ''Al-Saffah'' (''The Criminal'' or ''The Serial Killer'') (Arabic: السفاح)

Discography

''Album: Ya Shaghilny'' (2004, Alam El Phan)

Singles

"Baly Beek Mashghoul"

" Ya Shaghilny Beek"

"Ana Ma Bahibak" ("I Don't Love You")

"Fadel Sawany" ("Moments Left")

"Wehliftlak Bilghaly"

"Ash'aak"

"Law Fil Omr Lila"

"Kol Lahzit Hob"

"Khalik Makanak" ("Stay Where You Are")

"Albak Mosh Ala Had"

"Ana Tab3y Kida" ("This is my Character")

"Brahti" ("As I Like")

"Fares Ahlami"

References

External links

The official Nicole Saba website

The Myspace page

The official Fan Club

Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:Arabic-language singers Category:Lebanese female singers Category:Lebanese actors Category:Armenian singers

ar:نيكول سابا hy:Նիկոլ Սաբա