Both the Leeward (Alonso de Ojeda, 1499) and Windward (Christopher Columbus, 1493) island groups were discovered and initially settled by the Spanish. In the 17th century, the islands were conquered by the Dutch West India Company and were used as bases for slave trade. Only in 1863 was slavery abolished.
In 1954, the islands were promoted from colony to a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The island of Aruba was part of the Netherlands Antilles until 1986, when it was granted a "status aparte", and became a separate part of the kingdom. Some of the other islands have indicated that they wish to obtain the same status, but no agreements on this have yet been reached. Other options sometimes considered are independence or together becoming a province of the Netherlands.
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES GENERAL IFORMATION
The Netherland Antilles have no major administrative divisions, although each island has its own local government.
The two island groups of which the Netherlands Antilles consists are:
- the "Leeward Islands" (Benedenwindse Eilanden) off the Venezuelan coast (with also Aruba nearby):
- Bonaire, including an islet called Klein Bonaire ("Little Bonaire")
- Curaçao, including an islet called Klein Curaçao ("Little Curaçao")
- the "Windward Islands" (Bovenwindse Eilanden) east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; geographically however, these are part of what are internationally called the Leeward Islands
- Saba
- Sint Eustatius
- Sint Maarten, the southern half of the island Saint Martin (the northern half, Saint-Martin, is French and part of the overseas department of Guadeloupe).
Area: total: 960 sq km note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)
water: 0 sq km
land: 960 sq km
Capital City: Willemstad
Population: 176,000
Language: Although the official language is Dutch, Papiamento is predominant on Curaçao and Bonaire (as well as the neighboring Dutch island of Aruba). This creole language is formed from elements of Dutch, English, Spanish and Portuguese. Spanish and English are also spoken. The latter has become the chief language of Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius.
Religion: The majority of the population are followers of the Christian belief, mostly Roman Catholic. Curaçao also hosts a sizeable group of Jews, descendants of a Portuguese group of Sephardic Jews that arrived from Brazil in 1654.
GEOGRAPHY: The islands are all of volcanic origin and hilly, leaving little ground suitable for agriculture. The highest point is Mount Scenery, 862 m, on Saba (also the highest point in all the Netherlands). The Netherlands Antilles have a tropical climate, with warm weather all year round. The Leeward Islands are subject to hurricanes in the summer months.
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NETHERLANDS ANTILLES CULTURE
The origins of the population and location of the islands give the Netherlands Antilles a mixed culture. Dutch influence can still be seen, even though not much of the population is of Dutch origin. Tourism from the United States has recently also increased the importance of American culture.
The holiday of Carnival is, like in many Caribbean and Latin American countries, an important one.
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES COMMUNICATIONS
Telephones - main lines in use: 75,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 11,727 (1995)
Telephone system: generally adequate facilities
domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 4 (1998), shortwave 1 (Radio Netherlands transmits programs to North and South America from there)
Radios: 217,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (there is also a cable service which supplies programs received from various US satellite networks and two Venezuelan channels) (1997)
Televisions: 69,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (1999)
Country code: AN
The International Dialling Code for Netherlands Antilles is +599. Note there are no codes for individual towns and cities in Netherlands Antilles.
NETHERLANDS BUSINESS PROFILE
Tourism, petroleum transshipment and oil refinement (on Curaçao), as well as offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. The islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure as compared with other countries in the region. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with Venezuela, the United States, and Mexico being the major suppliers, as well as the Dutch government which supports the islands with substantial development aid. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture. The Antillean guilder has a fixed exchange rate with the United States dollar of 1.79:1.
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NETHERLAND ANTILLES CURRENCY/MONEY
Currency: NL Antillian Guilder
Local Currency / USD: ANG1.78 / USD 1
Import restrictions: No restrictions, however Dutch and Surinam Silver are prohibited
Money Exchange: Currency may be exchanged at State banks (Banco Reservas) and airport change offices.
Credit cards: Visa. Master Card, American Express and Diners Club.
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES SHOPPING
Stores are open from 8:30 am to noon and from 2:30 to 6 pm. Amber Curacao, a national gem, is one of the big items to but because of the low price. Paintings, straw items, macramé and mahogany products are also good buys. Santo Domingo is a duty free zone.
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES TIPPING
A 10% service charge is usually included in the bill in both hotels and restaurants. Taxi drivers should get loose change, porters 50 cents per bag and all others small change as well
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES PEOPLE
The largest part of the Netherlands Antilleans - about 85% - descends from the African slaves that were brought and traded here from the 17th to 19th century. The rest of the population consists of Caribbean Indians, Europeans and Asians.
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES TIME ZONE
Netherlands Antilles Time Standard Time is GMT-4 Netherlands Antilles Time does not operate Daylight-Saving Time
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