National symbols

Flag: Officially uses the Dutch national flag. Each island has its own island flag.

Caribbean Netherlands / BES Islands Flag

Emblem: Uses the coat of arms of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Each island also has its own coat of arms.

Caribbean Netherlands / BES Islands Emblem

Trivia & facts

  • Mount Scenery on Saba (887m) is the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
  • Bonaire hosts one of the few flamingo breeding sites worldwide.
  • Vehicle license plates feature 'Diver's Paradise.'
  • Over 50 shipwrecks off Statia make it a popular dive spot.
  • All three islands lie at the southern edge of the hurricane belt, with direct hits being rare.
  • The U.S. dollar is the official currency, but Dutch euro coins also circulate as souvenirs.
  • Bonaire's salt pans with pink evaporation ponds are famous photo spots.
  • Saba has no traffic lights.
  • Statia's 'blue beads' are glass beads considered relics of historic trade.
  • Papiamento is a creole language blending Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and other influences.