{ "Introduction": { "Background": { "text": "The original Arawak Indian settlers who arrived on the island from South America in about A.D. 1000, were largely enslaved by the Spanish early in the 16th century and forcibly relocated to other colonies where labor was needed. Curacao was seized by the Dutch from the Spanish in 1634. Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, Curacao was hard hit economically by the Dutch 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 oilfields. In 1954, Curacao and several other Dutch Caribbean colonies 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." } }, "Geography": { "Location": { "text": "Caribbean, an island in the Caribbean Sea, 55 km off the coast of Venezuela" }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "
12 10 N, 69 00 W
" }, "Map references": { "text": "Central America and the Caribbean
" }, "Area": { "total": { "text": "444 sq km" }, "land": { "text": "444 sq km" }, "water": { "text": "0 sq km" } }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "more than twice the size of Washington, DC
" }, "Land boundaries": { "text": "0" }, "Coastline": { "text": "364 km" }, "Maritime claims": { "territorial sea": { "text": "12 nm" }, "exclusive economic zone": { "text": "200 nm" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year
" }, "Terrain": { "text": "generally low, hilly terrain
" }, "Elevation": { "highest point": { "text": "Mt. Christoffel 372 m" }, "lowest point": { "text": "Caribbean Sea 0 m" } }, "Natural resources": { "text": "calcium phosphates, protected harbors, hot springs
" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "10% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 10% (2018)" }, "other": { "text": "90% (2018 est.)" } }, "Irrigated land": { "text": "NA" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "largest concentration on the island is Willemstad; smaller settlements near the coast can be found throughout the island, particularly in the northwest" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "Curacao is south of the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened
" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "Curacao is a part of the Windward Islands (southern) group in the Lesser Antilles
" } }, "People and Society": { "Population": { "text": "152,849 (2023 est.)" }, "Nationality": { "noun": { "text": "Curacaoan" }, "adjective": { "text": "Curacaoan; Dutch" } }, "Ethnic groups": { "text": "Curacaoan 75.4%, Dutch 6%, Dominican 3.6%, Colombian 3%, Bonairean, Sint Eustatian, Saban 1.5%, Haitian 1.2%, Surinamese 1.2%, Venezuelan 1.1%, Aruban 1.1%, other 5%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)" }, "Languages": { "text": "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) 80%, Dutch (official) 8.8%, Spanish 5.6%, English (official) 3.1%, other 2.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)", "note": "note: data represent most spoken language in household" }, "Religions": { "text": "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.)" }, "Age structure": { "0-14 years": { "text": "19.3% (male 15,107/female 14,390)" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "62.7% (male 47,299/female 48,538)" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "18% (2023 est.) (male 11,096/female 16,419)" } }, "Dependency ratios": { "total dependency ratio": { "text": "47" }, "youth dependency ratio": { "text": "25.6" }, "elderly dependency ratio": { "text": "21.4" }, "potential support ratio": { "text": "4.7 (2021 est.)" } }, "Median age": { "total": { "text": "36.7 years" }, "male": { "text": "34.4 years" }, "female": { "text": "39.5 years (2020 est.)" } }, "Population growth rate": { "text": "0.3% (2023 est.)" }, "Birth rate": { "text": "13.07 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Death rate": { "text": "8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Net migration rate": { "text": "-1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "largest concentration on the island is Willemstad; smaller settlements near the coast can be found throughout the island, particularly in the northwest" }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "89% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "0.57% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Major urban areas - population": { "text": "144,000 WILLEMSTAD (capital) (2018)" }, "Sex ratio": { "at birth": { "text": "1.05 male(s)/female" }, "0-14 years": { "text": "1.06 male(s)/female" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "1.01 male(s)/female" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "0.83 male(s)/female" }, "total population": { "text": "0.99 male(s)/female (2023 est.)" } }, "Infant mortality rate": { "total": { "text": "7.7 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "male": { "text": "8.5 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "female": { "text": "6.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)" } }, "Life expectancy at birth": { "total population": { "text": "79.65 years" }, "male": { "text": "77.33 years" }, "female": { "text": "82.09 years (2023 est.)" } }, "Total fertility rate": { "text": "1.97 children born/woman (2023 est.)" }, "Gross reproduction rate": { "text": "0.96 (2023 est.)" }, "Contraceptive prevalence rate": { "text": "NA" }, "Drinking water source": { "improved: total": { "text": "total: 100% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 0% of population (2017)" } }, "Current health expenditure": { "text": "NA" }, "Physicians density": { "text": "NA" }, "Sanitation facility access": { "improved: total": { "text": "total: 100% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 0% of population (2017)" } }, "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": { "text": "NA" }, "Currently married women (ages 15-49)": { "text": "49.7% (2023 est.)" }, "Education expenditures": { "text": "7.4% of GDP (2020 est.)" }, "School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)": { "total": { "text": "17 years" }, "male": { "text": "18 years" }, "female": { "text": "18 years (2013)" } }, "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": { "total": { "text": "42.2%" }, "male": { "text": "38.1%" }, "female": { "text": "47.1% (2020 est.)" } } }, "Environment": { "Environment - current issues": { "text": "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 mismanagement of toxic substances, and ineffective regulations; the refinery in Sint Anna Bay, at the eastern edge of Willemstad’s large natural harbor, processes heavy crude oil from Venezuela; it has caused significant environmental damage to the surrounding area because of neglect and a lack of strict environmental controls; the release of noxious fumes and potentially hazardous particles causes schools downwind to regularly close
" }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year
" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "10% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 10% (2018)" }, "other": { "text": "90% (2018 est.)" } }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "89% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "0.57% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Revenue from forest resources": { "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Revenue from coal": { "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Air pollutants": { "carbon dioxide emissions": { "text": "5.39 megatons (2016 est.)" } }, "Waste and recycling": { "municipal solid waste generated annually": { "text": "24,704 tons (2013 est.)" }, "municipal solid waste recycled annually": { "text": "494 tons (2013 est.)" }, "percent of municipal solid waste recycled": { "text": "2% (2013 est.)" } }, "Total renewable water resources": { "text": "NA" } }, "Government": { "Country name": { "conventional long form": { "text": "Country of Curacao" }, "conventional short form": { "text": "Curacao" }, "local long form": { "text": "Land Curacao (Dutch)/ Pais Korsou (Papiamento)" }, "local short form": { "text": "Curacao (Dutch)/ Korsou (Papiamento)" }, "former": { "text": "Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies" }, "etymology": { "text": "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" } }, "Government type": { "text": "parliamentary democracy
" }, "Dependency status": { "text": "constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
" }, "Capital": { "name": { "text": "Willemstad" }, "geographic coordinates": { "text": "12 06 N, 68 55 W" }, "time difference": { "text": "UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)" }, "etymology": { "text": "named after Prince WILLIAM II of Orange (1626-1650), who served as stadtholder (Dutch head of state) from 1647 to 1650, shortly after the the Dutch captured Curacao from the Spanish in 1634" } }, "Administrative divisions": { "text": "none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
", "note": "note: Curacao is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Aruba, and Sint Maarten" }, "Independence": { "text": "none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
" }, "National holiday": { "text": "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
" }, "Constitution": { "history": { "text": "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 semi-autonomous entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands" } }, "Legal system": { "text": "based on Dutch civil law
" }, "Citizenship": { "text": "see the Netherlands" }, "Suffrage": { "text": "18 years of age; universal
" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { "text": "King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor Lucille A. GEORGE-WOUT (since 4 November 2013)" }, "head of government": { "text": "Prime Minister Gilmar PISAS (since 14 June 2021)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "Cabinet sworn-in by the governor" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually elected prime minister by the Parliament of Curacao; election last held on 19 March 2021 (next to be held in 2025)" } }, "Legislative branch": { "description": { "text": "unicameral Parliament of Curacao (21 seats; members directly elected by party-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)" }, "elections": { "text": "last held on 19 March 2021 (next to be held in 2025)" }, "election results": { "text": "Caricom (observer), FATF, ILO, ITU, UNESCO (associate), UPU
" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "text": "none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)" }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Consul General Margy BOND (since January 2022); note - also accredited to Aruba and Sint Maarten" }, "embassy": { "text": "P.O. Box 158, J.B. Gorsiraweg 1" }, "mailing address": { "text": "3160 Curacao Place, Washington DC 20521-3160" }, "telephone": { "text": "[599] (9) 461-3066" }, "FAX": { "text": "[599] (9) 461-6489" }, "email address and website": { "text": ".cw
" }, "Internet users": { "total": { "text": "111,956 (2021 est.)" }, "percent of population": { "text": "68.1% (2021 est.)" } }, "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": { "total": { "text": "55,000 (2020 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "34 (2020 est.)" } } }, "Transportation": { "National air transport system": { "number of registered air carriers": { "text": "2 (2020)" }, "inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers": { "text": "11" } }, "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": { "text": "PJ" }, "Airports": { "text": "1 (2021)" }, "Airports - with paved runways": { "text": "1", "note": "note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)" }, "Roadways": { "total": { "text": "550 km" } }, "Merchant marine": { "total": { "text": "59" }, "by type": { "text": "general cargo 5, oil tanker 1, other 53 (2022)" } }, "Ports and terminals": { "major seaport(s)": { "text": "Willemstad" }, "oil terminal(s)": { "text": "Bullen Baai (Curacao Terminal)" }, "cruise port(s)": { "text": "Willemstad" }, "bulk cargo port(s)": { "text": "Fuik Bay (phosphate rock)" } } }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { "text": "no regular military forces; Curaçao Militia (CURMIL) (2023)" }, "Military - note": { "text": "defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the Dutch Government controls foreign and defense policy; the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG) provides maritime security (2022)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { "Refugees and internally displaced persons": { "refugees (country of origin)": { "text": "14,000 (Venezuela) (2022)" } }, "Trafficking in persons": { "tier rating": { "text": "Tier 3 — Curacao does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore Curacao was downgraded to Tier 3; the government took some steps to address trafficking, including providing pre-trial support to three victims participating in legal proceedings against traffickers, awarding restitution to two victims, and extending the national action plan that expired in December 2021; however, authorities did not convict any traffickers or identify any victims, and continued to condition assistance to foreign victims on their cooperation with law enforcement in cases against traffickers; officials conflated trafficking with migrant smuggling, and the lack of funding remained a primary obstacle to anti-trafficking efforts; limited judiciary familiarity with trafficking contributed to frequent acquittals in trafficking cases (2022)" }, "trafficking profile": { "text": "human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Curacao; undocumented migrants, especially the substantial population of Venezuelans, are vulnerable to sex and labor trafficking; traffickers exploit women and girls, particularly from Curacao, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela, in sex trafficking; migrants from other Caribbean countries, South America, China, and India are subject to forced labor in construction, domestic servitude, landscaping, minimarkets, retail, and restaurants (2022)" } }, "Illicit drugs": { "text": "northbound transshipment points for cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela; cocaine is transported to the United States, other Caribbean islands, Africa, and Europe
" } } }