Saint Eustatius

Saint Eustatius (sānt yOOstā'shus) [key], island (1989 pop. 1,861), 8 sq mi (20.7 sq km), Netherlands Antilles, one of the Leeward Islands. The mountainous island is not very prosperous, although there is a developing tourist industry; it also possesses facilities for petroleum transshipment. Oranjestad, the chief port, has a colorful history. Settled by the Dutch in 1632, it became a center of contraband trade with the American colonies before and during the American Revolution. According to tradition, it was the first foreign port to salute (1776) the American flag. The island has changed hands frequently. During the 18th cent. pirates and smugglers made it one of the leading trade centers of the West Indies. The island is called Statia by its inhabitants.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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