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Curacao

General Information about Curacao

Curacao is an island in the southern Caribbean and belongs to the Netherlands Antilles which is part of the Kindom Of The Netherlands. This island is very much a smaller version of the Netherlands as it features Dutch buildings and colours, and although the official language is Dutch, the people of Curacao have developed their own dialect, Papiamento. Spanish and English are also widely understood. Curacao is the most populated of the Lesser Antilles islands with over 200,000 people living on the island. The majority of the population of Curacao are Roman Catholic with some Protestant minorities. The small Jewish community has also played a big part in the history of Curacao.

The capital city of Curacao is Willemstad where the Jewish Cultural Historical Museum is a popular place to visit. Curacao has the oldest Jewish congregation in the southern hemisphere which has been operating since 1651. The Mikvé Israel Emanuel Synagogue dates from 1732 and has been attended the by Jews since it's construction.

Climate

Find Out About The Climate Of Curacao

Curacao enjoys a warm tropical climate throughout the year which is tempered by the trade winds. The wettest months to visit are between October and February with most of the rainfall occurring during the evenings. Tropical storms do occur in Curacao with an annual rainfall of 22 inches. The days are usually warm and sunny in Curacao with highs of 27 degrees.

Geography

Geographical Information On Curacao

Found in the Caribbean Sea Curacao is one of five islands in the Netherlands Antilles with a total area of 444 square kilometres. There are many beautiful coral reefs, bays and inlets to be seen in Curacao with the south coast being the most popular diving destination. The highest point of Curacao is known as Christoffelberg and is often referred to as Mt Christoffel. Cristoffelberg was named after Christopher Columbus and rises to over 375 metres. Known as Klein Curacao or Little Curacao is an uninhabitated just 15 miles off the coast of Curacao.

Economy

Learn About The Economy Of Curacao

The economy of Curacao is mainly centred around the tourism industry as well as petroleum refining, petroleum transshipment facilities and light manufacturing. The agricultural industry is low with the main produces being aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables and tropical fruit. Curacao is also the centre of commerce mainly because of its excellent water ports. The official currency of Curacao is Netherlands Antillean Guilder.

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