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National Flag
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Airport
Curacao Hato International (CUR) | Annual Rainfall
22 inches | Area
182 sq miles (444 sq km)
| Area Code
599 | Banks
Monday - Friday, 8 am to 3.30 pm
| Capital City
Willemstad
| Co-ordinates
12 15' N, 68 45' W | Currency
Netherland Antillean Florin (NAFl) | Departure Tax
International - US$22/regional - US$7 | Dimensions
38 miles x 7.5 miles
| Dress
Swim wear on the beach, summer wear during the day, more elegant at night.
Nudity is illegal
| Driving
Driving is on the right. Most roads are in good condition
| Electricity
110/130 volts, 50 cycle
| Exchange Rate
NAF 1.77 - US$1.00
| Highest Point
Mt. Christoffel, 1220 ft. (372m)
| Language
Official languages are Dutch, Papiamento and English. Spanish widely spoken. | Medical
St. Elisabeth Hospital is the most modern and well equipped in the region
| Population
138 000 | Public Transport
ABC bus service covers most of the island. Reliable and prompt
| Shopping
Monday-Saturday 8:30 am-noon/2:00-6:00 pm
| Taxis
Taxis are not metered; rates are fixed and should be checked in advance. Based
on 1-4 passengers.
| Telecommunications
Phone cards, internet access, cellular
| Temperature
85F (27C) | Time
Atlantic Standard | Tipping
10-15%, usually included
| Water
Tap water safe for drinking - desalination
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History
The earliest inhabitants of Curacao were the Arawak Amerindians. The first Europeans were part of a Spanish expedition in 1499, but diseases introduced by them decimated the Arawaks. By 1634, the island was occupied by the Dutch who founded the capital, Willemstad. The natural harbour in Willemstad quickly became an ideal location for commerce and shipping, which, in turn, brought piracy. Curacao also played a crucial part in the Atlantic slave trade, and became a center for the trade in 1662. Dutch merchants brought slaves from Africa to the Asiento, from where they were sold and shipped to various parts of South America and the Caribbean. Because of the slave trade, the island became very affluent, and elegant buildings were constructed, many of which still stand today. The island's unique architecture blends Dutch and Spanish colonial styles, and the capital is now listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Plantation houses and slave dwellings are still in evidence throughout the island, some of which have been restored. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the island changed hands several times between the British, the French, and the Dutch, finally returning to Dutch rule in 1815. The Dutch abolished slavery in 1863 and this brought economic hardship to the island, with the result that many inhabitants moved to Cuba and other islands. With the discovery of oil in the area in 1914, the economy changed again. A large oil refinery was built on the site of the former slave trade market at Asiento, and with that came huge employment opportunities. The antagonism between social groups on the island resulted in rioting on May 30, 1969. Soon after this the island started to develop a tourist industry and offered tax incentives to encourage corporate investment. In the mid 1980s, local government bought the refinery, which is now leased to the Venezuelan state oil company, PDVSA. Tourism has again become the foundation of the island's economy.
Geography
Curacao is located off the north coast of Venezuela and is part of the Netherlands Antilles, a self-governing part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curacao is geographically a part of South America but is also considered part of the Caribbean. Curacao experiences a semi-arid savanna-like climate and lies outside the hurricane belt. Scrubland made up of cacti, thorny shrubs, evergreens and the characteristic divi-divi trees make up the naturally occurring vegetation. There is an abundance of bird life, particularly in the salt marshes where flamingos feed. Klein Curacao ("Little Curacao") lies 15 miles off the southeast coast of Curacao. Pristine coral reefs ring the island providing excellent scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities.
Economy
Salt and phosphate mining provided lucrative exports for the island, and because of the superb natural harbour in the capital, Willemstad, it remained a center of commerce. The main industries today are oil refining, tourism, financial services and shipping. As in the Netherlands, prostitution is legal, and a large open-air brothel called "Le Mirage" or "Campo Alegre" has been in operation near the airport since the 1940s. Because this oldest of professions is legal, a safe environment has been created with good access to medical practitioners.
Religion
Approximately 85% of residents of Curacao are Roman Catholic. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the Methodist Church also have a large following. A smaller proportion of the popular practice Montamentu, which is an African religion similar to Voodoo, Santeria, and various other African religions. There are also a few followers of the Pentecostal religion, Islam and Hindu. The small Jewish community has had a significant impact on the island's history, including being the oldest active Jewish congregation in the Americas dating back to 1651. The Jewish Community of Curacao were also instrumental in supporting early Jewish congregations in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Language
Curacao is a polyglot society, with inhabitants being fluent in several languages, including Papiamentu, Dutch, Spanish and English. Dutch became the sole language of instruction in schools in the early 20th century, and Papiamentu became part of the school curriculum in the mid-1980s. On July 1, 2007, the Netherlands Antilles declared Dutch, Papiamentu, and English as the official languages of the ABC islands.
Sport
Baseball is very popular, so much so that a team from Willemstad has taken part in the Little League World Series in the United States for several years, and in 2004, the Willemstad team won the title. Wind and sea conditions make Curacao an ideal location for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also very popular and draw tourists from around the world.
Entry Requirements
A valid passport is required, and residents of some countries require a tourist visa. A return ticket is also required, plus sufficient funds for the duration of stay. Curacao has a modern international airport making access from North America, Europe, South America and the Caribbean easy and efficient. |
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