Curacao Sections Getting There Where To Stay Activities Visitor Tips Getting Married Calendar Weather Maps Information Request Curacao Main CTW Main	Description Curaçao is the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles, and is part of the Dutch Leeward Islands, also known as the Dutch Antilles. Willemstad, the capital, is noted for its brightly coloured, Dutch-style houses and Cunucu dwellings (based on African-style mud and wattle huts). It is one of the finest shopping centres in the Caribbean. The harbor has a floating market where colorful barges full of agricultural produce are moored. Nearby is the new market building, the design of which is very striking. St Christoffel National Park, occupying the most northwestern part of the island, is a nature reserve dominated by the mountain of the same name. There are several caves decorated with Arawak Indian paintings, some unusual rock formations and fine views across the countryside. Lucky visitors may spy iguanas and shy Curaçao deer. Traditional Dutch food is popular, as well as the exciting flavors of Creole food, criollo, which makes good use of fresh fish. There are several discos run by hotels on the island some of which also have a casino. Sun worshipers enjoy Curacao's many beautiful and diverse white sand beaches, tiny and private to enormous sweeps of sand. Golfers shouldn't miss playing at Blue Bay, the island's challenging new 18-hole golf course which takes advantage of seaside terrain and Caribbean vistas. Curaçao offers many choices of places to stay, at many price levels: luxury resorts operated by international chains, one-of-a-kind boutique hotels, fully equipped vacation apartments and convenient, affordable properties. Roads are excellent and public transportation reliable; a hospitable, multilingual population makes visitors feel welcomed. But Curacao's most amazing secrets lie beneath the water. Curaçao diving is unique for many reasons. It is set apart from other Caribbean destinations by its diversity and its density of sea life, its many underwater landscapes, and its reef's proximity to shore. Reefs surround the island, attaching to the shore like a narrow fringe. Massive coral formations extend into the depths with deep-water fish patrolling the plunging walls. The reef walls on Curaçao vary from moderate 45 degree angles to steep 90 degree angles. There is plenty to see, be it dolphins playing, turtles sunning, or even pilot whales migrating. History Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, the island of Curaçao was hard hit by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of oil refineries to service the newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. The island of Saint Martin is shared with France; its northern portion is named Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe, and its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles. Curacao At A Glance - Language: Dutch is the official language on Curaçao, but Papiamento is the local language. English and Spanish are widely spoken. Government: Parliamentary. Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Capital: Willemstad Size: 38 miles long and from 2 to 7.5 miles wide Location: 35 miles north of Venezuela, 42 miles east of Aruba and only 2 1/2 hours by air from Miami Climate: tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds Electricity: Electricity is 110 - 130 volts/50 cycles, similar but not identical to the US standard. See explanation in Helpful Tips Currency: Netherlands Antilles Guilder (Florin) Driving: Driving is on the right side of the road. Rentals: A number of local and international companies are available. Minimum age 23 with valid drivers license
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