2012 Edition

Background

Originally settled by Arawak Indians, Curacao was seized by the Dutch in 1634 along with the neighboring island of Bonaire. Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, Curacao was hard hit economically by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of the Isla Refineria to service the newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. In 1954, Curacao and several other Dutch Caribbean possessions were reorganized as the Netherlands Antilles, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In referenda in 2005 and 2009, the citizens of Curacao voted to become a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The change in status became effective in October 2010 with the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.

Area

444 sq km 444 sq km 0 sq km

total

444 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semi-arid with average rainfall of 600 mm/year

Coastline

364 km

Elevation extremes

Caribbean Sea 0 m Mt. Christoffel, 372m

highest point

Mt. Christoffel, 372m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

NA

Geographic coordinates

12 10 N, 69 00 W

Geography - note

Curacao is a part of the Windward Islands (southern) group

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

10% 0% 90%

arable land

10%

other

90%

permanent crops

0%

Location

Caribbean, an island in the Caribbean Sea - 55 km off the coast of Venezuela

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

Curacao is south of the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened

Natural resources

calcium phosphates, aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit

Terrain

generally low, hilly terrain

Total renewable water resources

NA

Age structure

21.1% (male males 15,337/females 14,589) 66.7% (male males 42,896/females 51,998) 12.2% (male males 6,972/females 10,388) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

21.1% (male males 15,337/females 14,589)

15-64 years

66.7% (male males 42,896/females 51,998)

65 years and over

12.2% (male males 6,972/females 10,388) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

NA

Death rate

8 deaths/1,000 population (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Languages

Papiamentu (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 81.2%, Dutch (official) 8%, Spanish 4%, English 2.9%, other 3.9% (2001 census)

Life expectancy at birth

NA 72.4 years 80.1 years (2009)

females

80.1 years (2009)

males

72.4 years

total

NA

Net migration rate

1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008)

Population

145,834 (January 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

NA

Religions

Roman Catholic 80.1%, Protestant 11.2% (Pentecostal 3.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 2.2%, other Protestant 5.5%), none 4.6%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.7%, Jewish 0.8%, other 1.3%, not reported 0.3% (2001 census)

Sex ratio

1.15 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female (2010)

15-64 years

0.82 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.67 male(s)/female

at birth

1.15 male(s)/female

total population

0.85 male(s)/female (2010)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.09 children born/woman (2009)

Administrative divisions

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Capital

Willemstad 12 06 N, 68 55 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

12 06 N, 68 55 W

name

Willemstad

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

Staatsregeling adopted by island council 5 September 2010; entered into force 10 October 2010; revised Kingdom Charter pending

Country name

Land Curacao Curacao Pais Korsou Korsou Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies

Dutch long form

Land Curacao

Dutch short form

Curacao

former

Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies

Papiamentu long form

Pais Korsou

Papiamentu short form

Korsou

Dependency status

constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs

Diplomatic representation from the US

Consul General Valerie BELON J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad, Curacao P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao [599] (9) 4613066 [599] (9) 4616489

chief of mission

Consul General Valerie BELON

consulate(s) general

J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad, Curacao

FAX

[599] (9) 4616489

mailing address

P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao

telephone

[599] (9) 4613066

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Executive branch

Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Acting Governor Adele van der PLUIJM-VREDE (since 24 October 2012) Prime Minister Daniel HODGE (since 31 December 2012) Cabinet appointed by the governor the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the parliament; next election is scheduled for 2016

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor

chief of state

Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Acting Governor Adele van der PLUIJM-VREDE (since 24 October 2012)

elections

the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the parliament; next election is scheduled for 2016

head of government

Prime Minister Daniel HODGE (since 31 December 2012)

Flag description

on a blue field a horizontal yellow band somewhat below the center divides the flag into proportions of 5:1:2; two five-pointed white stars - the smaller above and to the left of the larger - appear in the canton; the blue of the upper and lower sections symbolizes the sky and sea respectively; yellow represents the sun; the stars symbolize Curacao and its uninhabited smaller sister island of Klein Curacao; the five star points signify the five continents from which Curacao's people derive

on a blue field a horizontal yellow band somewhat below the center divides the flag into proportions of 5

1:2; two five-pointed white stars - the smaller above and to the left of the larger - appear in the canton; the blue of the upper and lower sections symbolizes the sky and sea respectively; yellow represents the sun; the stars symbolize Curacao and its uninhabited smaller sister island of Klein Curacao; the five star points signify the five continents from which Curacao's people derive

Government type

parliamentary

Independence

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Judicial branch

Common Court of Justice, Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch)

Legal system

based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence

Legislative branch

unicameral Estates of Curacao (21 seats; members elected by popular vote for four year terms) last held 19 October 2012 (next to be held in 2016) percent of vote by party - PS 22.6%, MFK 21.2%, PAR 19.7%, PAIS 17.7%, MAN 9.5%, PNP 5.9%, other 3.4%; seats by party - PS 5, MFK 5, PAR 4, PAIS 4, MAN 2, PNP 1

election results

percent of vote by party - PS 22.6%, MFK 21.2%, PAR 19.7%, PAIS 17.7%, MAN 9.5%, PNP 5.9%, other 3.4%; seats by party - PS 5, MFK 5, PAR 4, PAIS 4, MAN 2, PNP 1

elections

last held 19 October 2012 (next to be held in 2016)

National anthem

Himmo di Korsou (Anthem of Curacao) Guillermo ROSARIO, Mae HENRIQUEZ, Enrique MULLER, Betty DORAN/Frater Candidus NOWENS, Errol "El Toro" COLINA adapted 1978; the lyrics, originally written in 1899, were rewritten in 1978 to make them less colonial in nature

lyrics/music

Guillermo ROSARIO, Mae HENRIQUEZ, Enrique MULLER, Betty DORAN/Frater Candidus NOWENS, Errol "El Toro" COLINA

name

Himmo di Korsou (Anthem of Curacao)

National holiday

Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980)

Political parties and leaders

Frente Obrero Liberashon (Workers' Liberation Front) or FOL [Anthony GODETT]; Movementu Futuro Korsou or MFK [Gerrit SCHOTTE]; Movishon Antia Nobo or MAN [Eunice EISDEN]; Partido Antia Restruktura or PAR [Emily DE JONGH-ELHAGE]; Partido pa Adelanto I Inovashon Soshal or PAIS [Alex ROSARIA]; Partido Nashonal di Pueblo or PNP [Humphrey DAVELAAR]; Pueblo Soberano or PS [Helmin WIELS]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

aloe, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.9% of GDP (2011 est.)

Economy - overview

Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Although GDP grew slightly during the past decade, the island enjoys a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the region. Curacao has an excellent natural harbor that can accommodate large oil tankers. The Venezuelan state oil company leases the single refinery on the island from the government; most of the oil for the refinery is imported from Venezuela; most of the refined products are exported to the US. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, Brazil, Italy, and Mexico being the major suppliers. The government is attempting to diversify its industry and trade and has signed an Association Agreement with the EU to expand business there. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture. Budgetary problems complicate reform of the health and pension systems for an aging population.

Exchange rates

Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar - 1.79 (2011) 1.79 (2011 est.) 1.79 (2010 est.) 1.79 (2009) 1.79 (2008)

Exports

$1.5 billion (2011 est.) $1.4 billion (2010 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum products

GDP - composition by sector

0.7% 15.5% 83.8% (2010 est.)

agriculture

0.7%

industry

15.5%

services

83.8% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$15,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.5% (2008) 2.2% (2007)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.08 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.838 billion (2008 est.) $2.606 billion (2007 est.) $2.452 billion (2006 est.) data are in 2008 US dollars

Imports

$2.5 billion (2011 est.) $2.648 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

crude petroleum, food, manufactures

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2011 est.) 1.3% (2010 est.)

Labor force

63,000 (2008) (2008)

Labor force - by occupation

1.2% 16.9% 81.8% (2008 est.)

agriculture

1.2%

industry

16.9%

services

81.8% (2008 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

10.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

Unemployment rate

10.3% (2008 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Electricity - consumption

968 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

1.167 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

72,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

211,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

291,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

531 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

government-run Telecuracao operates a TV station and a radio station; several privately-owned radio stations

Internet country code

.cw

Internet hosts

NA

Internet users

NA

Telephone system

NA NA country code - 599

domestic

NA

general assessment

NA

international

country code - 599

Airports

: 1 country comparison to the world: 221

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

over 3,047 m

1 (2010)

total

1

Ports and terminals

Bullen Baai, Fuik Bay, Willemstad

Roadways

550 km

total

550 km

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Military branches

no regular military forces; the Dutch Government controls foreign and defense policy (2012)

Military service age and obligation

no conscription (2010)