Curacao is part of the Leeward Islands which is an autonomous state in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This state has existed since October 2010. Curaçao had 158,040 inhabitants in 2015 and its surface area is 444 km2.
History
The island of Curacao was in history one of the main spaces for pirates. There were buccaneers there during the glory days of the pirates. The Arawak Indians are the first inhabitants of the island; they were from Venezuela.
Alonso de Ojeda discovered the island in 1499 and massacred the Arawaks to take Curaçao under Spanish control. Subsequently, the Spanish do their best to repopulate the island with Native Americans.
Around the 1630s, the island of Curaçao underwent Dutch colonization. Indeed, the Dutch West India Company was looking for a home bridge that was at the level of the Caribbean Sea.
It was in October 2010 that Curaçaos became a new autonomous territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This was made possible by the agreement to dissolve the common political institutions between the Dutch government and the government of the Netherlands Antilles.
Culture
The culture of Curaçao is very rich and varied. In terms of music, there are several genres of music and dance from different backgrounds that are combined.
There is the Curaçao blues or tambu which is created by the first black slaves wanting to express their frustration. This music is played with a hoe, a drum, a cow's horn and a piece of iron.
There is also the seù which is a traditional dance to celebrate the harvest and the harvests.
The tumba is one of the most important music on the island. Contemporary music is also present there.
Typical dishes in Curaçao are: kabritu which is a dish made from goat meat, yuana which is prepared with iguana meat, etc. Curaçao blue alcohol is also popular on the island.
There are three official languages: English, Dutch and Papiamento. The Spanish language is also widely spoken there.
Regarding religions, the majority of the island's inhabitants are Catholics. Protestants also exist in the minority.
The must-sees in Curacao
There are some places you should definitely not miss when visiting the island.
It is a wooden swing and floating bridge. It is the only such bridge in the world, which is why it is a real tourist attraction. It crosses the bay of St Anna and connects the Otrobanda and Punda districts. It opens regularly for the passage of ocean-going vessels.
The caves of Hato
They are a famous tourist attraction in Curaçao. These caves are made up of limestone from marine coral. Their area is 4900 m2 and their length is approximately 240 m. There is a colony of bats inside.
Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao is also a must-see destination on the island. It has several historic districts and its city center attracts with its colorful architecture.
