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Location
Caribbean, 56km (35 miles) north of Venezuela.
Area
444 sq km (171 sq miles).
Population
146,836 (2013).
Population Density
330.7 per sq km.
Capital
Willemstad.
Government
Automous within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Geography
Geographically part of the Dutch Leeward Islands, Curaçao is the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles. Terrain is flat, rocky and fairly barren owing to its low rainfall. There are many excellent, sandy beaches.
Language
Dutch is the official language. Papiamentu (a mixture of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, English, Arawak Indian and several African languages) is the lingua franca; English and Spanish are also widely spoken. There are 50 different nationalities.
Religion
The majority of the population is Roman Catholic, with Protestant minorities, both evangelical and other low-church denominations. There is also a Baha'i temple and a synagogue.
Time
GMT - 4.
Social Conventions
The social influences are predominantly Dutch, combined with Indian and African traditions. Men wear tropical lightweight suits for business appointments and formal wear for evening engagements. Similarly, women should take some evening wear, but dress for daytime is casual. Swimwear should be confined to the beach and poolside.
Electricity
120/127 volts AC, 50Hz. American-style plugs with two flat pins are used.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Ivar Asjes since 2013.
Head of State
King Willem-Alexander since 2013, represented by Governor Lucille George-Wout since 2013.
Recent History
In April 2005, a Curaçao referendum saw 65 per cent of residents vote for their island to step out of the Dutch Antilles government to become a so-called Status Aparte.
Curaçao became an autonomous associated state, under the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in July 2007. Dissolution was scheduled for December 2008 but is now due to take place in October 2010. Over the past few years there has been little political unity between the five islands. |
