By Theodore Taylor

Curacao Curacao-(kyoor uh soh)- is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The island area of Curaçao which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited islandof Klein Curacao("Little Curaçao"), is one of five island areas of the Netherlands Antilles, and as such, is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Curacao covers 171 square miles and has a population of about 150,000.

History American Indians were Curacao’s first inhabitants. The Netherlands gained control of the island in From the 1600’s – 1800’s, the Dutch brought many black African slaves there. In 1920, oils was discovered off the Venezuelan coast. This signaled a new era for Curacao. The island became a center for distilled crude oil imported from Venezuela, and Curacao’s Royal Dutch Shell Refinery became the island’s biggest business. Immigrants headed there, many from other Caribbean nations, South America, and as far away as Asia.

History During WWII, the Allies judged Curacao and its refinery to be important enough, to establish an American military base at the Waterfront Arches, near Willemstad.

Willemstad is larges city on the island and the capital of the Netherlands Antilles.

Lake Maracaibo Lake Maracaibo is the largest lake in South America, and one of the oldest lakes on Earth. A very large amount of Venezuelan oil is extracted from this lake.

The Homes

Punda: The business district

View of Punda & Otrabanda

Fort Amsterdam Fort Amsterdam guards the entrance to St. Anna Bay, and became the focal point for the development of the city. Today, the Fort serves as the seat of the Government of the Netherlands Antilles.

The Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge The Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge links the Punda (downtown area) and the Otrobanda areas of Willemstad.

Schottegat

St. Anna Bay

Scharloo In the past the Scharloo district was the luxurious area of the city of Willemstad. The rich merchants were living here.

Video

Theodore Taylor