top of page

History Of Curacao

Curaçao, island in the Caribbean Sea and a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is situated some 37 miles (60 km) north of the coast of Venezuela. Although physiographically part of the South American continental shelf, Curaçao and neighbouring islands off the northern coast of South America are usually considered to constitute the southwestern arc of the Lesser Antilles. The capital is Willemstad.

 

Curaçao

 

Curaçao: Ethnic composition

 

Curaçao: Religious affiliation

Curaçao was settled by Arawak people from the South American mainland. It was first visited by Europeans in 1499 and was settled by the Spanish and, later, by the Dutch, who established it as a major centre of trade for the Dutch West India Company. The Spanish deported the entire indigenous population as slaves to Hispaniola in 1515. Curaçao is the home of the oldest continuously inhabited Jewish community in the Western Hemisphere, originally formed by Sephardic Jews who emigrated from Portugal in the 1500s.

The island provided one special advantage for the Dutch—one of the finest natural harbours in the West Indies. At the southeastern end of the island, a channel, Sint Anna Bay, passes through reefs to a large, deep, virtually enclosed bay called Schottegat, the site of the capital town, Willemstad. The need for salt to preserve herring initially drove the Dutch to the Caribbean. During the period 1660 to 1700, the Dutch West India Company flourished; the slave trade boomed, and the port of Curaçao was opened to all countries both to receive the incoming food supplies and to dispose of products from the plantations of South America. The island was subjected to frequent invasions from competing privateers and suffered during the wars between the English and Dutch. It has remained continuously in Dutch hands since 1816.

29459d25e579245faea1b6e089920afd_edited.jpg
De-kleurrijke-huizen-in-Willemstad.jpg
7110b7c2-b71d-4404-a82c-79c29715e700.webp
proeverij-cocktailbar-01-Groot_edited_edited.jpg
The Maps _ Events Curaçao _  The best guide in Curaçao island in 2022_edited_edited_edited

What Are Curacao Beaches Like?

Curacao beaches are known for their beautiful white sand and characteristically calm water, making them some of the best Caribbean beaches for swimming. As the island is quite rugged, most beaches are nestled in between rocks cliffs and covered in cacti, due to the island’s semi-arid tropical climate.

Beyond the similarities of sand and water, beaches range pretty wildly between full-service locations equipped with amenities to secret spots that only the locals tend to know about.

Is the Water Clear in Curacao?

Curacao boasts incredibly clear blue water that’s perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. In fact, you can expect visibility up to 100 feet deep in certain spots.

Does Curacao Have Good Snorkeling?

With an abundance of marine life and some of the best coral reefs in the Caribbean, it’s a pretty well-known Curacao fact that the island is home to incredible snorkeling and diving sites. In fact, both snorkeling and diving are a huge part of the culture on the island and there are even full resorts dedicated to diving!

30653385_983303808513359_7010048674805841920_o_edited.jpg

Tugboat Snorkeling Area

Curacao Top 10 Beaches

bottom of page