Curacao

Curacao

Curaçao is an island country in the southern Caribbean Sea, approximately 65 kilometres (40 miles) north of the Venezuelan coast, that is a constituent country (Dutch: land) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Formally called the Country of Curaçao, (Dutch: Land Curaçao; Papiamento: Pais Kòrsou), it includes the main island and the uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao (“Little Curaçao”). It has a population of over 150,000 on an area of 444 square kilometres (171 square miles) and its capital is Willemstad. Willemstad is made up of 4 quarters; the oldest, Punda, gets its name from “punta” owing to this area’s pointed shape. East of Punda on the coast is the former Dutch quarter of Pietermaai, this area has undergone extensive transformations since 2010, with many of the homes restored and renovated. Inland and to the east of Punda is Scharloo, the former Jewish quarter characterised by its large villas.

In the early 19th century, after the wall around Punda was replaced with housing, it was clear that the east side of the Schottegat (Sta. Annabaai) was crowded; consequently Willemstad spread to the west side of the Anna Bay. This last quarter of the capital was called Otrobanda or “Other Side” in Papiamentu.

Before the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010, Curaçao was administered as the “Island Territory of Curaçao”(Dutch: Eilandgebied Curaçao, Papiamentu: Teritorio Insular di Kòrsou), one of five island territories of the former Netherlands Antilles.