2014 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; semiarid 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

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% (2011)

arable land

10%

other

90% (2011)

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

20.6% (male 15,342/female 14,645) 15.4% (male 11,599/female 10,790) 38.5% (male 26,869/female 29,348) 12.6% (male 8,059/female 10,259) 13% (male 7,833/female 11,090) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

20.6% (male 15,342/female 14,645)

15-24 years

15.4% (male 11,599/female 10,790)

25-54 years

38.5% (male 26,869/female 29,348)

55-64 years

12.6% (male 8,059/female 10,259)

65 years and over

13% (male 7,833/female 11,090) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

NA

Death rate

8 deaths/1,000 population (2009)

Dependency ratios

50.6 % 29 % 21.6 % 4.6 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

21.6 %

potential support ratio

4.6 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

50.6 %

youth dependency ratio

29 %

Ethnic groups

Afro-Caribbean majority; Dutch, French, Latin American, East Asian, South Asian, Jewish minorities

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

Median age

36.2 years 32.7 years 39.9 years (2013 est.)

female

39.9 years (2013 est.)

male

32.7 years

total

36.2 years

Nationality

Curacaoan Curacaoan; Dutch

adjective

Curacaoan; Dutch

noun

Curacaoan

Net migration rate

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

Population

146,836 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

NA

Religions

Roman Catholic 72.8%, Pentecostal 6.6%, Protestant 3.2%, Adventist 3%, Jehovah's Witness 2%, Evangelical 1.9%, other 3.8%, none 6%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)

Sex ratio

1.15 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.08 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.92 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.79 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.71 male(s)/female

at birth

1.15 male(s)/female

total population

0.92 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.09 children born/woman (2013 est.)

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

previous 1947, 1955; latest adopted 5 September 2010, entered into force 10 October 2010 (regulates governance of Curacao but is subordinate to the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - in October 2010, with the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands (2013)

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 James R. Moore (since June 2013); note - also accredited to Aruba and Sint Martin J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad, Curacao P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao [599] (9) 4613066 [599] (9) 4616489

chief of mission

Consul General James R. Moore (since June 2013); note - also accredited to Aruba and Sint Martin

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

King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor Lucille A. GEORGE-WOUT (since 4 November 2013) Prime Minister Ivar ASJES (since 7 June 2013) 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

King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor Lucille A. GEORGE-WOUT (since 4 November 2013)

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 Ivar ASJES (since 7 June 2013)

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

highest court(s):

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 (-)

-0.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Economy - overview

Tourism, petroleum refining, offshore finance, and trade and transport 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. Venezuelan state oil company PdVSA, under a contract in effect until 2019, leases the single refinery on the island from the government, employing some 1,500 people; 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. Most of Curacao’s GDP results from services. Curacao has limited natural resources, poor soils, and inadequate water supplies, and budgetary problems complicate reform of the health and education systems. In 2013 the government implemented changes to the sales tax and reformed the public pension and health care systems, including increasing the sales tax from 5% to as high as 9% on some products, raising the age for public pension withdrawals to 65, and requiring citizens to pay higher premiums.

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) the Netherland Antillean guilder was replaced by the newly created Caribbean guilder in 2013

Exports

$1.607 billion (2011 est.) $1.44 billion (2010 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum products

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.7% 15.5% 83.8% (2012 est.)

agriculture

0.7%

industry

15.5%

services

83.8% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$15,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.6% (2012 est.) 2% (2011 est.) 0.1% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.6 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.128 billion (2012 est.) $3.02 billion (2011 est.) $2.96 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Imports

$1.285 billion (2011 est.) $1.275 billion (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities

crude petroleum, food, manufactures

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, petroleum refining, petroleum transshipment, light manufacturing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.2% (2012 est.) 2.3% (2011 est.)

Labor force

73,010 (2013)

Labor force - by occupation

1.2% 16.9% 81.8% (2008 est.)

agriculture

1.2%

industry

16.9%

services

81.8% (2008 est.)

Public debt

33.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 40.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

13% (2013 est.) 9.8% (2011 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

1.785 billion kWh (2012 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

country code - 599

international

country code - 599

Ports and terminals

Willemstad Bullen Baai (Curacao Terminal) Fuik Bay (phosphate rock)

bulk cargo port(s)

Fuik Bay (phosphate rock)

major seaport(s)

Willemstad

oil/gas terminal(s)

Bullen Baai (Curacao Terminal)

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)