St Eustatius

Volcanic island in the Leeward Islands group in the West Indies, forming part of the Netherlands Antilles; area 21 sq km/8 sq mi; population (1992) 1,839. Its chief town is Oranjestad on the west coast. Most of the inhabitants live in the central part of the island. Industries include tourism, farming, rearing livestock, and fishing.

The highest point on the rocky island is ‘The Quill’ in the south, an extinct volcano which rises to 601 m/1,972 ft, and has a rain forest within its crater.

Originally settled by the Caribs, and in 1636 by the Dutch West Indies Company, the island became a prosperous and important trading centre with a busy port in the 18th century. It traded in sugar, cotton, tobacco, and slaves, and during the American Revolution it was important for the transhipment of arms, food, and other supplies to the troops of George Washington. The island was captured by the British Admiral Rodney in 1781, but he was expelled a year later by the French, and it has remained Dutch since 1816. There are approximately 200 wrecked ships and several coral reefs off its coast.