Source: www.mycuracaoguide.com / www.wikipedia.org / www.curacaogids.nl / www.curacao365.nl
Curaçao is a tropical island located in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea. Together with Bonaire and Aruba, it forms the ABC Islands, also known as the Leeward Antilles. The currency of Curaçao is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG), which is pegged to the US dollar.
The island covers 444 square kilometers, with a length of 61 kilometers and a width ranging from 5 to 14 kilometers. Curaçao is situated 75 kilometers off the coast of Venezuela, and the distance between the Netherlands and Curaçao is 7,867 kilometers.
Climate
Curaçao has a tropical semi-arid steppe climate and a tropical savanna climate. Most of the rain falls between October and December, during the rainy season. Trade winds provide cooling during the day and warmth at night. The average daytime temperature is 31.4°C (88.5°F), and at night it's 25.7°C (78.3°F). The sea temperature around Curaçao averages around 27°C (80.6°F).
Inhabitants
As of January 1, 2022, Curaçao had a population of 151,066 inhabitants. In 2010, there were residents from 107 different nationalities on the island. The majority of Curaçaoans are descendants of slaves brought from Africa (Afro-Curaçaoans).
Places
Curaçao is divided into two rural districts: Bandabou and Bandariba, and the urban district of Willemstad. The most well-known neighborhoods in Willemstad are Punda, Otrobanda, and Pietermaai.
Language
The most spoken language is Papiamento, the mother tongue of the people of Curaçao. Dutch was the only official language for a long time, but since 2007, Papiamento, Dutch, and English have been jointly recognized as official languages.
Flora
The flora mainly consists of various types of cacti, low shrubs, and small trees. The Divi Divi tree is one of the most iconic. Aloe species and agaves grow wild, along with various herbs and orchids.
In the western part of the island, there are two nature reserves: the area around the Sint-Christoffelberg (Christoffel Park) and Shete Boka National Park, where the rugged sea crashes against the cliffs and various species of sea turtles can be found. Near Sint Willibrordus, with the salt pans of Jan Kok, there is a nature reserve where bright pink flamingos reside.
Fauna
The fauna mainly consists of 217 species of birds, iguanas, and various tropical insects. Several bat species inhabit the caves of Curaçao, which are unique to Curaçao and Bonaire. The coral reef surrounding the island is home to around 60 species of coral, and about 350 species of fish inhabit the waters around the island.
Places of Interest
The multitude of attractions on Curaçao makes it a popular holiday destination, offering visible history, vibrant culture, lively nightlife, impressive natural areas, extensive shopping opportunities, fantastic diving spots, and beautiful beaches.
Below are a few highlighted attractions.
