The Bottom

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Village in Saba, Dutch Caribbean

title: "The Bottom" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["the-bottom", "populated-places-in-saba-(island)", "capitals-in-the-caribbean"] description: "Village in Saba, Dutch Caribbean" topic_path: "general/the-bottom" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bottom" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Village in Saba, Dutch Caribbean ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameThe Bottom
settlement_typeCapital city
image_skylineSaba School of Medicine.jpg
image_captionThe Bottom, with the campus of the School of Medicine at the bottom right
image_mapSaba.JPG
mapsize250px
map_captionMap of Saba showing The Bottom
pushpin_mapSaba#North America
pushpin_reliefyes
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameNetherlands
subdivision_type1Public body
subdivision_name1Saba
unit_prefMetric
area_urban_footnotes
area_rural_footnotes
area_metro_footnotes
area_magnitude
area_blank2_title
area_blank2_km2
population_total462
population_density_km2auto
timezone1AST
utc_offset1-4
blank_nameClimate
blank_infoAw
website
::

| name = The Bottom | native_name = | native_name_lang = | settlement_type = Capital city | image_skyline = Saba School of Medicine.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = The Bottom, with the campus of the School of Medicine at the bottom right | image_flag = | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | nickname = | motto = | image_map = Saba.JPG | mapsize = 250px | map_alt = | map_caption = Map of Saba showing The Bottom | pushpin_map = Saba#North America | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_relief = yes | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Netherlands | subdivision_type1 = Public body | subdivision_name1 = Saba | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | seat_type = | seat = | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = | leader_name = | unit_pref = Metric tags --| area_footnotes = | area_urban_footnotes = | area_rural_footnotes = | area_metro_footnotes = | area_magnitude = | area_note = | area_water_percent = | area_rank = | area_blank1_title = | area_blank2_title = | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_urban_km2 = | area_rural_km2 = | area_metro_km2 = | area_blank1_km2 = | area_blank2_km2 = | area_total_ha = | area_land_ha = | area_water_ha = | area_urban_ha = | area_rural_ha = | area_metro_ha = | area_blank1_ha = | area_blank2_ha = | length_km = | width_km = | dimensions_footnotes = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 462 | population_as_of = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_note = | timezone1 = AST | utc_offset1 = -4 | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | iso_code = | blank_name = Climate | blank_info = Aw | website = | footnotes =

The Bottom (formerly Botte) is the capital and largest town of the island of Saba, 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. It is the administrative center of Saba.

History

The first European settlements occurred around 1640, by colonists from Zeeland. 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. 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. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Sacred_Heart_Church,1935_Vertical(6549989089).jpg" caption="Sacred Heart Catholic Church"] ::

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. 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. They 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. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Collectie_Nationaal_Museum_van_Wereldculturen_TM-60060975_Gezicht_over_The_Bottom_Bottom_fotograaf_niet_bekend.jpg" caption="Image of The Bottom circa 1911"] ::

By 1900, The Bottom was one of four main villages on Saba, along with St. John's, Windwardside, and Hell's Gate. 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 is still operational today. Saba's first movie theater opened in 1953, and its second in 1964. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Saba's_First_Church_(6549997211).jpg" caption="Wesleyan Holiness Church"] ::

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. In 1992, the Saba University School of Medicine opened in The Bottom.

Infrastructure

The Bottom is home to the government offices, a hospital, a nursing home, Juliana 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 largest Cruyff Court in the world, Cruyff Court Saba.

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. Carnival Village, where the majority of the events take place, is located in The Bottom. Each night during the week, there is live music at Carnival Village. The jourvert parade (very early Saturday morning) begins in Windwardside and ends in The Bottom. The Grand Parade and the Second Parade take place in The Bottom on Saturday and Sunday. Locals and tourists congregate in The Bottom for the parades, which include energetic music, colorful floats, and troupes wearing colorful costumes.

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. The Bottom hosts a concert at the sports field, where local (and neighbouring) Caribbean artists come to perform. There are fishing competitions at sea, drawing competitions for children, dance performances, cookouts, and more.

Hiking

The Bottom is the location of many trailheads.

  • The Ladder consists of 800 steps leading down to the sea. The trail starts in The Bottom between the hospital and Wells Bay. These stairs were used to bring cargo ashore and up to The Bottom. The trail takes approximately 1 hour round trip.

  • The Sandy Cruz Trail can begin in The Bottom near the Queen's Hotel, and end in Hell's Gate. The trail has views of Diamond Rock and the northern coastline. It takes roughly 2.5 hours to complete if begun in The Bottom, and 2 if begun in Hell's Gate.

  • The Crispeen Track (or Crispeen Trail) can begin on the Mt. Scenery trail and leads down into The Bottom. The trail goes through secondary rainforest, and has overhead views of The Bottom. The trail takes approximately 1-1.5 hours one-way.

  • The Bottom Mountain Trail can begin in The Bottom near the Queen's Hotel, or the junction at Rendezvous on the Mt. Scenery trail. The trail goes through mostly dry forest and some rainforest, and has overhead views of The Bottom.

  • Tara Ground Trail can begin on the Bottom Mountain Trail or Crispeen Track. The Trail goes through secondary forest and passes by ruins of old farmland. The hike takes about 45 minutes (from the Bottom Mountain trail junction to the Crispeen Track junction).

  • Buds Mountain Loop is an alternate way to go up or down Mount Scenery. It connects to Bottom Mountain Trail. It goes through secondary rainforest, as well as rainforest near the top. It takes 1.5 hours uphill.

  • Parish Hill Trail can begin in two different locations in The Bottom, either behind the hospital or at the beginning of the road that leads down to Fort Bay from The Bottom. The trail goes up to the top of Parish Hill, which is a volcanic dome. The hike takes about 1.5 hours.

Climate

The climate is a drier variation of a tropical savanna climate (Aw/As), narrowly missing a hot semi arid climate (BSh), with rainfall spread out irregularly throughout the year.

|location = The Bottom, Saba (1971–2000) |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan record high C = 30.4 |Feb record high C = 30.8 |Mar record high C = 30.7 |Apr record high C = 31.7 |May record high C = 31.9 |Jun record high C = 32.5 |Jul record high C = 32.8 |Aug record high C = 33.2 |Sep record high C = 33.2 |Oct record high C = 32.1 |Nov record high C = 32.0 |Dec record high C = 31.1 |year record high C = 33.2 |Jan high C = 28.1 |Feb high C = 27.7 |Mar high C = 28.3 |Apr high C = 29.2 |May high C = 30.0 |Jun high C = 30.4 |Jul high C = 30.5 |Aug high C = 30.9 |Sep high C = 30.8 |Oct high C = 30.4 |Nov high C = 29.8 |Dec high C = 28.6 |year high C = 29.6 |Jan mean C = 25.7 |Feb mean C = 25.3 |Mar mean C = 25.7 |Apr mean C = 26.6 |May mean C = 27.4 |Jun mean C = 28.1 |Jul mean C = 28.1 |Aug mean C = 28.5 |Sep mean C = 28.5 |Oct mean C = 28.2 |Nov mean C = 27.4 |Dec mean C = 26.3 |year mean C = 27.2 |Jan low C = 24.1 |Feb low C = 23.6 |Mar low C = 23.9 |Apr low C = 24.7 |May low C = 25.6 |Jun low C = 26.2 |Jul low C = 26.0 |Aug low C = 26.4 |Sep low C = 26.5 |Oct low C = 26.3 |Nov low C = 25.4 |Dec low C = 24.7 |year low C = 25.3 |Jan record low C = 20.8 |Feb record low C = 20.0 |Mar record low C = 21.4 |Apr record low C = 22.1 |May record low C = 22.6 |Jun record low C = 23.1 |Jul record low C = 21.8 |Aug record low C = 22.0 |Sep record low C = 22.4 |Oct record low C = 22.4 |Nov record low C = 22.6 |Dec record low C = 21.3 |year record low C = 20.0 |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 36.8 |Feb rain mm = 75.3 |Mar rain mm = 35.4 |Apr rain mm = 28.1 |May rain mm = 95.9 |Jun rain mm = 44.4 |Jul rain mm = 60.8 |Aug rain mm = 77.0 |Sep rain mm = 60.5 |Oct rain mm = 35.5 |Nov rain mm = 134.5 |Dec rain mm = 76.5 |year rain mm = 760.5 |unit rain days = 1.0 mm |Jan rain days = 10.3 |Feb rain days = 10.3 |Mar rain days = 6.3 |Apr rain days = 4.0 |May rain days = 6.7 |Jun rain days = 5.8 |Jul rain days = 5.8 |Aug rain days = 6.3 |Sep rain days = 7.3 |Oct rain days = 3.5 |Nov rain days = 10.0 |Dec rain days = 9.7 |year rain days = 86.0 |Jan humidity = 82.0 |Feb humidity = 82.3 |Mar humidity = 78.2 |Apr humidity = 78.8 |May humidity = 78.0 |Jun humidity = 81.9 |Jul humidity = 84.5 |Aug humidity = 88.8 |Sep humidity = 87.4 |Oct humidity = 81.2 |Nov humidity = 71.1 |Dec humidity = 74.5 |year humidity = 80.7 |source 1 = Meteorological Department Curaçao{{cite web |url = https://meteo.cw/Data_www/Climate/documents/CLIM_SUM_Sab.pdf |title = The Bottom, Saba: Summary of Climatological Data, Period 1971-2000 |publisher = Meteorological Department Curaçao |access-date = 22 September 2016}}

Gallery

File:The mayor of Saba.jpg|Saba's Government House File:The Bottom Central Park with Fire Department (6549994025).jpg|Saba's Central Park with Fire Department File:The Bottom, Saba's Capital (6549984361).jpg|The Bottom's signboard File:Governor's residence, The Bottom, Saba Residentie van de gouverneur, The Bottom, Bestanddeelnr 935-1474.jpg|The Governor's residence File:Wilma's house in Saba.jpg|Traditional Saban cottage in The Bottom File:Saba University School of Medicine (6550000009).jpg|Saba University School of Medicine buildings File:Saba Artisan Foundation (6549991327).jpg|Saba Artisan Foundation entrance File:My Store- Your One Stop Shop (And Only Option) (6549994923).jpg|Grocery Store in The Bottom File:Old Home Detail in The Bottom (6549993103).jpg|Building in The Bottom File:The Bottom Raised Cemetery (6549987009).jpg|Raised cemetery in The Bottom

References

References

  5. [https://www.sabatourism.com/sabavillages.html The villages of Saba (Saba Tourist Bureau)]
  6. (2001). "Geodata 2001, Saba & Sint.Eustatius, Census 2001".
  7. (2018-06-21). "About Saba: History and Culture".
  8. (2021-02-06). "The Chronological History of Saba".
  9. Hartog, Johannes. (1975). "History of Saba". Saba Artisan Foundation.
  10. Crane, Julia G.. (1971). "Educated to Emigrate: The Social Organization of Saba". Round the World Publishing.
  11. "The Bottom".
  12. Hartog, Johannes. (1975). "History of Saba". Saba Artisan Foundation.
  13. Crane, Julia G.. (1971). "Educated to Emigrate: The Social Organization of Saba". Round the World Publishing.
  14. (2021-02-06). "The Chronological History of Saba".
  15. "Staatssecretaris Raymond Knops op Kennismakingsbezoek Saba (in Dutch)".
  16. (2023-08-03). "Saba's carnival week 2023 was fun and safe".
  17. (July 24, 2015). "Saba Carnival 'forty years long, still jamming strong'". Saba-News.com.
  18. Department, Graphics. (2018-08-03). "Public Entity Saba thankful for 'safe and enjoyable' Carnival".
  19. (2023-03-22). "Saba Carnival - Saba".
  20. (2023-07-20). "2023 Carnival Poster presented".
  21. Byron, Anglina. (2023-06-29). "EXCLUSIVE: Saba Carnival 2023 schedule announced, Makana Ferry sells tickets".
  22. Windt, Daniella De. (2022-07-28). "Saba's Nostalgic and Modern 2022 Carnival".
  23. (2018-07-20). "Events - Saba Tourism".
  24. Department, Graphics. (2023-12-04). "Official ceremony of 48th Saba Day reflected on resilience and identity".
  25. Department, Graphics. (2020-12-07). "Saba celebrates 45 years of Saba Day with vigour".
  26. Dept, Editorial. (2022-12-04). "Saba gathers for 47th edition of Saba Day".
  27. (2022-03-10). "Hiking {{!}} Saba Tourism".
  28. "Plan your Hike".
  29. "Plan your Hike".
  30. [https://www.sabatourism.com/sabavillages.html The villages of Saba (Saba Tourist Bureau)]

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