Silverbay | |
---|---|
— Town — | |
Country | Republic of The Waves |
Island | Santa Maria |
Population | |
- Est. (March 2017) | 18,250 |
Silverbay is a popular resort town located on the east coast of Santa Maria, north of Jura.
In 1867, Dr George Hicks, who was then a Scottish missionary, first established the Presbyterian Church mission in Silverbay. During the late 19th and early 20th Century, Silverbay was the location of district’s administration, until 1931, when the emergence of Jura as a more substantial settlement meant that Silverbay’s position as District Town was deemed untenable.
Silverbay has changed dramatically, with the town’s population growing rapidly during the 1960s in part due to a large advertising campaign by the Santa Maria Tourism Board. The town has a population of approximately 18,250 people. It has both primary and secondary schools, however Jura University is the towns nearest source of higher education. There is a large Presbyterian Church building located at the town's highest point – Silverbay Mount, which is now houses the Askar Centre, an art gallery and museum exhibiting work by local artists, including the complete works of its patron, Natnael Askar, and island artifacts.
Silverbay Beach is a popular beach located adjacent to Silverbay. It is famous for its beautiful white sand and clear waters. It is visited regularly by tourists and cruise boats from the islands and abroad.
History[]
During the late 19th century the town developed an active coastal shipping trade and shipbuilding was the mainstay industry.
The town’s population grew rapidly during the 1960s in part due to a large advertising campaign by the Santa Maria Tourism Board.
The town today[]
The town's extensive waterfront and the naturally sheltered harbour gives rise to its continued success as a shipbuilding and sailing port and, in modern times, tourism especially in the form of surfing and pleasure sailing. The town is also home to a traditional fishing industry.
Its attractions include several restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, a cinema, and the Askar Centre, an art gallery and museum exhibiting work by local artists, including the complete works of its patron, Natnael Askar, and island artifacts.
There are two supermarkets in Silverbay; an AgiaMart and a Waves Country Store. It also has three large secondary schools; Silverbay Community College, Silverbay High School and Askar Secondary School, each serving over 1000 pupils.
Silverbay Hospital is a small Agian Health Service hospital to the south of the town centre.