|
The Dutch Government
 Under
the command of Johan van Walbeeck the dutch claimed the island
Curacao in 1634. Peter Stuyvesant became governor in 1642. The
Curacao landscape was devided in plantations under his government.
The many landhouses on the island date back from this period.
Sometimes you still see old stone walls as borders of the former
estates.
On the estates they cultivated different crops, fruits and cattle.
Peanuts,corn and dried fruits were as well as salt the most
important export products.
Curacao developed (itself) as an important trade - center for
the region by its natural harbour and strategic situation. It
became an important center for the slave – trade. Captive
Africans were shipped to Curacao and sold as slaves throughout
the whole caribean region.
Jewish Migration
 Lots
of portugees jewish people came to Curacao in 1654, when the
dutch lost the power over Brazil. They were Saphardic Jews.
There also came a lot of jewish people from Europe. They engaged
in agriculture at first, but later on in trade in the Caribean
region, especially with the Spanish colony Venezuela. At the
end of the 18 th century the Jewish community had reached a
total of more than 2000 people.They contributed a lot to the
development of the island as a trade-center.
They built shops, warehouses and mansions in Punda and Scharloo.
They established (founded) the Maikve Israel Emanuel Synagoque
in Willemstad, a structure, that still stands today. It is one
of the eldest synogoques of the western hemisphere.
|
 |
 |
 |
Curacao has over 10 forts dating back from
past centuries. Most forts are located in
Willemstad center. |
|
|
 |
|
|
