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Curaçao
is a perfect place for diving, but as you will
find, our island has so much more to offer.
There are dozens of undiscovered adventures
to be enjoyed. Ranging from practicing water
sports to visiting 17th century architecture
sites, from enjoying tennis to enjoying world-class
cuisine,
from playing golf in our sunny climate to visiting
high-standard casinos. So if you are looking
for more than just a dive vacation, Curaçao
has something out-of-the-ordinary for everybody.
Willemstad
A
much-debated question, is when and after whom
the city Willemstad was named. According to
one historian, Willemstad was named after Stadhouder
(stadtholder) William II, but a second historian,
who made a very deep study of Willemstad, thinks
that the city was named after Stadhouder William
III, who occupied this position in 1672 and
later on, in 1688, became King of England.
The
latter William seems to have been very much
sought after. Further the possibility was mentioned
that the naming of Willemstad in that decade
could have been related to the fact that in
1674, the new West Indian Company was instituted
and in 1675, Willemstad was declared a free
port in the hope that this would stimulate the
economy. The free port needed a suitable name
that would attract people’s attention.
The first time the name Willemstad is mentioned
in the archives was in 1680.
Willemstad,
capital of Curaçao and the Netherlands
Antilles, is one of the richest cities in the
world in terms of culture and diversity. The
city itself is actually divided in two sections—Punda
and Otrobanda—connected by the Queen Emma
pontoon bridge. Both sections provide visitors
with duty-free shopping. Willemstad covers an
area of some 450 square kilometers, and has
a population of 135,000, which is composed of
55 nationalities.
Like
Havana
(Cuba)
and San Juan (Puerto
Rico), Willemstad is a typical port town.
However, it is one without a hinterland, and
focused on trade with the surrounding colonies,
mainly the Spanish colonies on the South American
continental coast, but also with French and
English colonies.
According
to a comprehensive survey by the government
monument bureau there are 750 historic buildings
in Willemstad alone, which merit preservation.
New scaffolding goes up almost every month.
Progress has been astonishing in just ten years
and it is likely that, in the very near future,
regions of the city will have regained their
former splendor.
Enjoy
Willemstad at its best—outdoors.
Stroll along the winding streets, and uncover
interesting scenes of everyday city life. Extremely
pedestrian-friendly, with more walkways than
many other Caribbean cities, Willemstad offers
easy access to everything you need.
Take
advantage of the unbelievable shopping.
As the trading capital of the Southern Caribbean,
Willemstad attracts shoppers from all over the
world. A multitude of vendors and markets display
fresh produce, meats, and more.
Sit
back and relax in a plaza café.
Stop by one of Willemstad’s many outdoor
cafés to enjoy a meal and a fascinating
round of people-watching.
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites
The
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
is committed to preserving the culture and heritage
of major sites around the world. The latest
World Heritage list includes varied places like
the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef
of Australia, East Africa’s Serengeti—and
Curaçao’s Willemstad.
An
Outstanding Addition
In 1997, the UNESCO
World Heritage Site committee selected the historic
city center of Willemstad—one of just
six Caribbean sites chosen—because of
its “outstanding value and integrity,
which illustrates the organic growth of a multicultural
community over three centuries, and preserves
to a high degree significant elements.”
In
addition to Willemstad’s historic city
center, other inductees include the beautiful
restored mansions of Scharloo and Pietermaai
and Curaçaoan neighborhoods dating back
to the 1700s.
For
more information:
www.unesco.org
Links
& Sources:
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