Saba

This article is about the Caribbean island. For the Malaysian state, see Sabah. For the ancient civilization, see Sabaeans. For other uses, see Saba (disambiguation)

Saba (/ˈsɑːbə/) is a Caribbean island and the smallest special municipality (officially public body) of the Netherlands.^[4] It consists largely of the potentially active volcano Mount Scenery, at 887 metres (2,910 ft) the highest point of the entire Netherlands.

Saba has a land area of 13 square kilometres (5.0 sq mi). As of January 2013, the population was 1,991 inhabitants, with a population density of 150 inhabitants per square kilometre (390/sq mi).^[1] Its towns and major settlements are The Bottom (the capital), Windwardside, Hell's Gate and St. Johns.

Saba consists largely of the potentially active volcano Mount Scenery. At 887 metres (2,910 ft) the volcano is the highest point within theKingdom of the Netherlands.

The vegetation of Saba is mainly composed of woodland forest with ferns and damp soil, and many mango trees. Visitors refer to Saba's forests as "the Elfin Forest" because of its high altitude mist, and mossy appearance. A woodland reserve was created and named "Elfin Forest Reserve". Saba's lush plant and animal wildlife is diverse and is cared for by the Saba Conservation Foundation.

There used to be forests of Mountain Mahogany trees until a hurricane in the 1960s destroyed many of the trees, which are Freziera undulata in the family Theaceae. Despite the common name these trees are not related to other Mahogany species. One species of true mahogany tree is found planted on the island at lower levels, and that is the small-leaved mahogany Swietenia mahagoni, Meliaceae. The native mahogany trees are considered to be at risk of becoming extinct on Saba.

4.3 kilometres (2.7 mi) southwest of Saba is the edge of the Saba Bank, a very large submerged atoll with especially rich biodiversity. Saba Bank is the top of a sea mount and it is a prime fishing ground, particularly for lobster.

A non-governmental conservation organization, Saba Conservation Foundation