2017 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

land

444 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 60 cm/year

Coastline

364 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mt. Christoffel 372 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point

Mt. Christoffel 372 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

problems in waste management that threaten environmental sustainability on the island include pollution of marine areas from domestic sewage, inadequate sewage treatment facilities, industrial effluents and agricultural runoff, the management of toxic substances, and ineffective regulations

Geographic coordinates

12 10 N, 69 00 W

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

10% arable land 10%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0% 0% 90% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

10%

forest

0%

other

90% (2011 est.)

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 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 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

Population - distribution

largest concentration on the island is Willemstad; smaller settlements near the coast can be found throughout the island, particularly in the northwest

Terrain

generally low, hilly terrain

Age structure

20% (male 15,274/female 14,661) 14.33% (male 11,170/female 10,280) 36.87% (male 27,152/female 28,029) 13.69% (male 8,862/female 11,620) 15.1% (male 9,270/female 13,330) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

20% (male 15,274/female 14,661)

15-24 years

14.33% (male 11,170/female 10,280)

25-54 years

36.87% (male 27,152/female 28,029)

55-64 years

13.69% (male 8,862/female 11,620)

65 years and over

15.1% (male 9,270/female 13,330) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

13.7 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

52.4 28.7 23.6 4.2 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

23.6

potential support ratio

4.2 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

52.4

youth dependency ratio

28.7

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2013)

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

Infant mortality rate

7.5 deaths/1,000 live births 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births 7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

8.1 deaths/1,000 live births

total

7.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 81.2%, Dutch (official) 8%, Spanish 4%, English (official) 2.9%, other 3.9% (2001 census)

Life expectancy at birth

78.5 years 76.2 years 80.9 years (2017 est.)

female

80.9 years (2017 est.)

male

76.2 years

total population

78.5 years

Major infectious diseases

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

WILLEMSTAD (capital) 145,000 (2014)

Median age

36.1 years 33.5 years 39.7 years (2017 est.)

female

39.7 years (2017 est.)

male

33.5 years

total

36.1 years

Nationality

Curacaoan Curacaoan; Dutch

adjective

Curacaoan; Dutch

noun

Curacaoan

Net migration rate

-1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Population

149,648 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

largest concentration on the island is Willemstad; smaller settlements near the coast can be found throughout the island, particularly in the northwest

Population growth rate

0.4% (2017 est.)

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.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

18 years 18 years 19 years (2013)

female

19 years (2013)

male

18 years

total

18 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.09 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.76 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.7 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.92 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.04 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

29.7% NA NA (2015 est.)

female

NA (2015 est.)

male

NA

total

29.7%

Urbanization

89.2% of total population (2017) 0.73% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.73% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

89.2% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Curacao is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Aruba, and Sint Maarten

note

Curacao is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Aruba, and Sint Maarten

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)

Citizenship

see the Netherlands

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 (2017)

Country name

none Curacao Land Curacao (Dutch); Pais Korsou (Papiamento) Curacao (Dutch); Korsou (Papiamento) Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies the most plausible name derivation is that the island was designated Isla de la Curacion (Spanish meaning "Island of the Cure" or "Island of Healing") or Ilha da Curacao (Portuguese meaning the same) to reflect the locale's function as a recovery stop for sick crewmen

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Curacao

etymology

the most plausible name derivation is that the island was designated Isla de la Curacion (Spanish meaning "Island of the Cure" or "Island of Healing") or Ilha da Curacao (Portuguese meaning the same) to reflect the locale's function as a recovery stop for sick crewmen

former

Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies

local long form

Land Curacao (Dutch); Pais Korsou (Papiamento)

local short form

Curacao (Dutch); Korsou (Papiamento)

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 Margaret HAWTHORNE (since April 2016); note - also accredited to Aruba and Sint Maarten J. B. Gorsiraweg P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao [599] (9) 4613066 [599] (9) 4616489

chief of mission

Consul General Margaret HAWTHORNE (since April 2016); note - also accredited to Aruba and Sint Maarten

consulate(s) general

J. B. Gorsiraweg

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 Eugene RHUGGENAATH (since 29 May 2017) 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

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

head of government

Prime Minister Eugene RHUGGENAATH (since 29 May 2017)

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 democracy

Independence

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Judicial branch

Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatitus and Saba or "Joint Court of Justice" (sits as a 3-judge panel); final appeals heard by the Supreme Court, in The Hague, Netherlands Joint Court judges appointed by the monarch for life first instance courts, appeals court; specialized courts

highest court(s)

Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatitus and Saba or "Joint Court of Justice" (sits as a 3-judge panel); final appeals heard by the Supreme Court, in The Hague, Netherlands

judge selection and term of office

Joint Court judges appointed by the monarch for life

subordinate courts

first instance courts, appeals court; specialized courts

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

unicameral Estates of Curacao or Staten van Curacao (21 seats; members directly elected by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) last held 28 April 2017 (next to be held on 2021); early elections are being held after Prime Minister Hensley KOEIMAN resigned on 12 February 2017, when the coalition government lost its majority percent of vote by party - PAR 23.3%, MAN 20.4%, MFK 19.9%, KdnT 9.4%, PIN 5.3%, PS 5.1%, MP 4.9%, other 11.7%; seats by party - PAR 6, MAN 5, MFK 5, KdnT 2, PIN 1, PS 1, MP 1

description

unicameral Estates of Curacao or Staten van Curacao (21 seats; members directly elected by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - PAR 23.3%, MAN 20.4%, MFK 19.9%, KdnT 9.4%, PIN 5.3%, PS 5.1%, MP 4.9%, other 11.7%; seats by party - PAR 6, MAN 5, MFK 5, KdnT 2, PIN 1, PS 1, MP 1

elections

last held 28 April 2017 (next to be held on 2021); early elections are being held after Prime Minister Hensley KOEIMAN resigned on 12 February 2017, when the coalition government lost its majority

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)

note

adapted 1978; the lyrics, originally written in 1899, were rewritten in 1978 to make them less colonial in nature

National holiday

King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day are observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday

National symbol(s)

laraha (citrus tree); national colors: blue, yellow, white

laraha (citrus tree); national colors

blue, yellow, white

Political parties and leaders

Korsou di Nos Tur or KdnT [Amparo dos SANTOS] Movementu Futuro Korsou or MFK [Gerrit SCHOTTE] Movementu Progresivo or MP [Marylin MOSES] Movishon Antia Nobo or MAN [Hensley KOEIMAN] Partido Antia Restruktura or PAR [Eugene RHUGGENAATH] Partido Inovashon Nashonal or PIN [Suzanne CAMELIA-ROMER] Partido pa Adelanto I Inovashon Soshal or PAIS [Alex ROSARIA] Partido Nashonal di Pueblo or PNP [Humphrey DAVELAAR] Pueblo Soberano or PS (vacant) Un Korsou Hustu [Omayra LEEFLANG]

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

Most of Curacao’s GDP results from services. Tourism, petroleum refining and bunkering, offshore finance, and transportation and communications are the mainstays of this small island economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Curacao has limited natural resources, poor soil, and inadequate water supplies, and budgetary problems complicate reform of the health and education systems. Although GDP grew only slightly during the past decade, Curacao enjoys a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared to other countries in the region. Curacao has an excellent natural harbor that can accommodate large oil tankers, and the port of Willemstad hosts a free trade zone and a dry dock. Venezuelan state-owned oil company PdVSA, under a contract in effect until 2019, leases the single refinery on the island from the government, directly employing some 1,000 people. Most of the oil for the refinery is imported from Venezuela and most of the refined products are exported to the US and Asia. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, the Netherlands, and Venezuela being the major suppliers. The government is attempting to diversify its industry and trade. Curacao is an Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) of the European Union. Nationals of Curacao are citizens of the European Union, even though it is not a member. Based on its OCT status, products that originate in Curacao have preferential access to the EU and are exempt from import duties. Curacao is a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative and, as a result, products originating in Curacao can be imported tax free into the US if at least 35% has been added to the value of these products in Curacao. The island has state-of-the-art information and communication technology connectivity with the rest of the world, including a Tier IV datacenter. With several direct satellite and submarine optic fiber cables, Curacao has one of the best Internet speeds and reliability in the Western Hemisphere.

Exchange rates

Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar - 1.79 (2014 est.) 1.79 (2013 est.) 1.79 (2012 est.)

Exports

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

Exports - commodities

petroleum products

GDP - composition, by end use

66.9% 33.6% 19.4% 0% 17.5% -37.5% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

17.5%

government consumption

33.6%

household consumption

66.9%

imports of goods and services

-37.5% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

19.4%

investment in inventories

0%

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

note

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, financial and business services

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.6% (2013 est.) 2.8% (2012 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 es)

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.)

Electricity access

14,903 91% 91% 80% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

80% (2012)

electrification - total population

91%

electrification - urban areas

91%

population without electricity

14,903

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 es)

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

531.1 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

government-run TeleCuracao operates a TV station and a radio station; 3 other privately owned TV stations and several privately owned radio stations (2017)

Internet country code

.cw

Internet users

138,750 93.9% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

93.9% (July 2016 est.)

total

138,750

Telephone system

country code - 599

international

country code - 599

Airports

1 (2017)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

over 3,047 m

1 (2017)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

PJ (2016)

National air transport system

11 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

11 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

2

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 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)