Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2018 | Page 534

Dutch Reformed Church Golden History Fort Oranje St. Eustatius is a tiny island located in the Lesser Antilles. The petite Dutch Caribbean destination is well known for world-class diving, nature in all its glory, historical sites and ruins as well as tranquillity. The Golden Rock, as she is widely known has a population of about 4,000 inhabitants. In the population mix, resides a chain of approximately 40 different nationalities. Visitors to Statia will be impressed by the wealth of history that lies within this small island. “Discovered” by Christopher Columbus in 1493, it was owned by different countries no fewer than 22 times. Since 1816, however, it has been continuously a Dutch territory and, although small, was the first nation to officially recognize the new United States of America in 1776. Visit the Museum and take a tour around the Golden Rock to learn more about its Golden history.