The Bottom

The Bottom (formerly Botte) is the capital and largest town of the island of Saba, the Caribbean Netherlands, and 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. History The Bottom was founded in 1632 by colonists from Zeeland. The original name of the town was De Botte, old Dutch for "The Bowl", referring to its geographical position in a valley surrounded by the various mountains. The island attracted Irish and Scottish settlers, and the main language became English. "The Bottom" is an English corruption of this name. Infrastructure The Bottom is home to the government offices, a hospital, a nursing home, a sports field, three churches, a library, various shops and the 200 students of the Saba University School of Medicine. Events