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Turbulent Past
During the 18 th century the British, Dutch and French fought
for the different islands in the Caribean territory. They changed
flags from time to time. Between 1800 and 1815 Curacao was conquered
by the British several times.
The Dutch got the island back into their power in 1815, after
signing the “TREATY OF PARIS”. The island was a
dutch colony from that period on, and up to now you can find
the dutch influence everywhere in Curacao.
The 20 th Century
They found large amounts of oil in Venezuela in the beginning
of the 20 th century. The Shell built a big oil-refinery in
Curacao. This had enormous influences on the Curacao economy.
Soon Shell became the biggest employer and took care of a modern
infrastructure.Many families immigrated from the surrounding
lands and islands to Curacao to work for Shell. Curacao was
of very strategic importance as an oil producer during the second
worldwar.
During the fifty’s there was a great wish for autonomy
in Curacao and the other colonies of that time. Curacao got,
together with the other islands, her own place in the Dutch
Kingdom.
In 1954 the Netherlands Antilles were established, consisting
of Aruba, Bonaire, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius. There
was a central gouvernment that was stipulated in a statute.
The islands all got their own gouvernment as well. Aruba is
on her own now and reports directly to the dutch gouvernment.
The Dutch Kingdom exists nowadays of 3 separate parts , The
Netherlands,the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles and
Aruba. The formal head of state is Queen Beatrix.
The islands became famous as touristic destinations in the sixties.
Lots of tourists from the U.S. visited the islands, and big
hotels were developed. After a decline of the amount of tourists
in the eighties and nineties there is a revival, the amount
of visiting tourists is rising.
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Curacao has over 10 forts dating back from
past centuries. Most forts are located in
Willemstad center. |
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