Country Information
| Sovereign State | No (Special municipalities of the Netherlands) |
| Country Codes | BQ, BES, 535 |
| Official Name | Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba) |
| Continent | North America |
| Capital | Bonaire: Kralendijk, Sint Eustatius: Oranjestad, Saba: The Bottom |
| Government Type | Special municipalities within a constitutional monarchy |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| Calling Code | +599 |
| Member Of | Part of the Netherlands; participates in various international organizations through the Netherlands |
| Population | Approx. 25,000 (as of 2023) |
| Total Area | Bonaire: 288 sq km, Sint Eustatius: 21 sq km, Saba: 13 sq km |
| Highest Point | Mount Scenery on Saba (887 meters or 2,910 feet) |
| Lowest Point | Caribbean Sea (0 meters or 0 feet) |
| GDP Per Capita | N/A |
| Life Expectancy | N/A |
| Internet TLD | .nl (as part of the Netherlands) |
National Anthem
The Caribbean Netherlands does not have its own national anthem. As special municipalities of the Netherlands, the national anthem of the Netherlands, “Het Wilhelmus” (The William), is used.
Flags of Neighboring Countries
History of the Flags of the Caribbean Netherlands
The Caribbean Netherlands consists of three special municipalities of the Netherlands: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. Each island has its own unique flag with distinct symbolism and history.
- Flag of Bonaire: Adopted on December 11, 1981, the flag features a large blue triangle and a smaller yellow triangle, divided by a white stripe containing a black compass and a red six-pointed star. The blue symbolizes the sea, yellow represents the sun, and the white stripe with the compass points to the north, symbolizing the island’s navigation heritage. The red star represents the six original villages of Bonaire.
- Flag of Sint Eustatius: Adopted on November 16, 2004, this flag displays a white field with a central diamond. The diamond is divided into blue and red quadrants. The blue quadrants contain a silhouette of Fort Oranje and the red quadrants a patriarchal cross. The diamond shape represents the island itself.
- Flag of Saba: Officially adopted on December 6, 1985, the flag of Saba has a white field with a red triangle and a blue triangle. The white symbolizes peace, the red stands for hardiness, bravery, strength, and valor, and the blue represents the sea. In the center is a gold star symbolizing the island.
The flags of the Caribbean Netherlands reflect the islands’ unique identities, cultures, and histories within the broader context of their association with the Netherlands. Each flag’s design is rooted in local symbolism, representing the distinct heritage and characteristics of each island. These flags are used locally on the islands and represent their identity in the Caribbean region.