St. Eustatius

Locally known as “Statia”, St. Eustatius has changed power at least 22 times. In 1636, at the end of the 80 year war between Holland and Spain, the Dutch took possession of the island. Statia was a major trading center for about 20,000 inhabitants and thousands of ships during the 17^th and 18^th century. During the latter part of the 18^th century, Statia was a supplier of arms and ammunition to the rebellious British Colonies in North America. For a long time, Statia was the only link between fledgling American colonies. In 1776 the “Andrew Doria” sailed onto Statia shores firing the 13-gun salute indicating America’s independence. Statia replied with an 11-gun salute being the first foreign nation to recognize America’s newly found independence. Every year, thousands of ships landed on the shores of Statia with hundreds of crates packed with good to trade (legal and illegal). More trade happened on this Caribbean island than any others at the end of the American Revolution. At the end of the 18^th century Statia lost the importance of a trading center. Through the 19^th and 20^th centuries the island remained untouched “waiting” for visitors. In the 1960’s and 1970’s the people of the island decided to preserve the heritage and nature making it another island of the Caribbean untouched by major industries. 

St. Eustatius flag