PEOPLE
Curaçao
The Arowaks are recognized as the first human civilization to
inhabit the Netherlands Antilles. A Spanish expedition led by
Alonso de Ojeda discovered the island of Curaçao for Spain
in 1499, and it remained under the Spanish until the Dutch took
control in 1600. Curaçao was a strategically important
point for military advances against the Spanish and as the center
of Caribbean slave trade. Curacao became the host of the Netherlands
Antilles Government in 1954.
Bonaire
With origins similar to Curaçao, the Dutch captured Bonaire
in 1663, and it became a granary for the Dutch East Indian Company
until 1791 when the government reclaimed control.
Sint
Eustatius
The first settlement in Sint Eustatius was established in 1636
and changed hands between the Dutch, French, and Spanish 22 times
in it's history. In the 18th century the island became a duty
free port for overburdened colonizers shipping back to the homeland,
which propelled it into a major port with rapid population growth
that lost momentum after the American-British peace treaty in
1783.
Saba
Columbus was the first to sight Saba, but it was the Dutch who
colonized the island in 1640 with a party from Sint Eustacia.
Because of it's difficult terrain, the island progressed slowly
and remains the least populated island in the Dutch Kingdom.
Sint
Maarten
The Dutch were the first to colonize Sint Maarten in 1631, but
within 2 years the Spanish invaded and evacuated the settlers.
The Dutch made a failing attempt to regain the island in 1644,
but 4 years later the Spanish abandoned the island on their own
accord. In 1648 the island was divided between the Dutch and the
French; however, complete control of the island was seized numerous
times in a series of conflicts. The British became involved as
well, taking power for a 6- and 10-year stint. Finally, in 1817,
the current partition line was established. The island flourished
under a slave-based plantation economy and the exportation of
salt until abolition of slavery in 1863.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Dutch Antillean(s).
Population (2005): 185,513.
Annual growth rate (2004): 0.02%.
Ethnic groups: Mixed black 85%, mixed Latin American, white, East Asian.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-day Adventist, Islam, and Hindu.
Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) predominates, English is widely spoken, Spanish.
Education: Literacy--96.4% Curaçao; 96.3% Netherlands Antilles (2001).
Health (1999 est.): Infant mortality rate (2002 est.)--7.38 deaths/1,000 live births; Life expectancy (2002)--female, 78.7 yrs. male, 72.1 yrs.
Work force (56,549, 2002): Agriculture--1%; industry--8%; services--91%.
