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Curaçao is different. But is it
because of the many historic
buildings in the capital Willemstad,
which more than ten
years ago was declared a World
Heritage? Or because of its
people, more than 50 different
nationalities living together
on an island of no more than
444 square kilometers. Or is
it because of the white sandy
beaches, the blue sea and the
warm temperature? Curaçao
is probably different due to a
combination of these and many
more factors.
Located between hundreds of other
Caribbean islands and just north of
Venezuela, Curaçao attracts many
tourists and business people. It is also
considered home to almost 140.000
residents. The former Dutch colony is
the largest island of the Netherlands
Antilles, which is an autonomous
country within the Kingdom of the
Netherlands. The relationship with
the Netherlands will remain, although
a majority of voters chose for a big
change. In the years to come, Curaçao and St Maarten, also one of the islands forming part
of the Netherlands Antilles, will both become countries
with a more autonomous status within the Kingdom,
comparable to Aruba, which has had this status since
1986. The other three islands, Bonaire, St. Eustatius
(Statia) and Saba will become part of the Netherlands
with a status comparable to that of a small Dutch municipality.
While discussions about this change of status are ongoing,
the economy of Curaçao performs very well.
Tourism is one of the main pillars of the economy. Every
year hundreds of cruise ships enter the large natural
harbor of Willemstad, allowing their passengers to admire
the many historic buildings near the waterfront.
The same harbor is of service to many transport ships
delivering their goods or oil for Curaçao’s oil refi nery.
And passengers of cruise ships that anchor at the Megapier
are just a few minutes walk away from the historical
Rif Fort. Apart from the cruise ships, thousands of
tourists from Europe, the United States, South America
and the Caribbean come by plane. During their stay on
the island they enjoy the international or local cuisine,
the Caribbean arts and music, the Carnival or the ‘Seú’
harvest parade. And after a day of swimming, sightseeing
or shopping they lay their heads to rest in one of the
many hotels, from the luxurious to smaller hotels for
the budget conscious.
The financial services sector is the second pillar of the
economy. Asset managers, investors and brokers all
benefi t from the fact that Curaçao has a workforce of
highly educated people, speaking several languages.
Apart from the local language Papiamentu, Dutch is
an offi cial language, and English and Spanish are also
commonly spoken.
It is no surprise that entrepreneurs currently are very
positive about the future. New hotels are being built,
new markets are sought, new projects are being developed,
and new shops are being opened. A perfect combination
of new and old, that’s what makes Curaçao
different.
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