Willemstad

Willemstad
Willemstad Harbour
Willemstad on Curaçao
Willemstad
Coordinates:
State	Kingdom of the Netherlands
Country	Curaçao
Established	1634
Quarters	Punda, Otrobanda, Scharloo, Pietermaai Smal
Population
• Total	150,000
	2013 Estimated
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Netherlands Antilles
Type	Cultural
Criteria	ii, iv, v
Designated	1997 (21st session)
Reference no.	819
State Party	Netherlands
Region	Europe and North America

Willemstad (; Dutch pronunciation: ) is the capital city of Curaçao, an island in the southern Caribbean Sea that forms a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Formerly the capital of the Netherlands Antilles prior to its dissolution in 2010, it has an estimated population of 150,000. Willemstad is home to the Curaçao synagogue, the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas. The historic centre of the city consists of four quarters: the Punda and Otrobanda, which are separated by the Sint Anna Bay, an inlet that leads into the large natural harbour called the Schottegat, as well as the Scharloo and Pietermaai Smal quarters, which are across from each other on the smaller Waaigat harbour. The city centre, with its unique architecture and harbour entry, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History

Punda was established in 1634, when the Dutch captured the island from Spain. The original name of Punda was de punt in Dutch. Otrobanda, which was founded in 1707, is the newer section of the city and is considered to be the cultural centre of Willemstad. Its name originated from the Papiamentu otro banda, which means "the other side."

The Curaçao synagogue was built by Sephardic Portuguese Jews from Amsterdam and Recife, Brazil.

Economy

Aviation

Insel Air, the national airline of Curaçao, has its corporate head office in Maduro Plaza.^[1]

Tourism

Penha Building, built in 1708

Fort Amsterdam as seen from sea

Tourism is a major industry and the city has several casinos. The city centre of Willemstad has an array of colonial architecture that is influenced by Dutch styles. Archaeological research has also been developed there.^[2]

Industry

Owing to its location near the Venezuelan oilfields, its political stability and its natural deep water harbour, Willemstad became the site of an important seaport and refinery. Willemstad's harbour is one of the largest oil handling ports in the Caribbean. The refinery, at one point the largest in the world, was originally built and owned by Royal Dutch Shell in 1915.^[3] It was sold to the Curaçao government for the symbolic sum of one guilder in 1985 ^[4] and is now leased to PDVSA, the state owned Venezuelan oil company. Schlumberger, the world's largest oil field services company is incorporated in Willemstad.^[5]

Financial Services

Numerous financial institutions are incorporated in Willemstad due to Curaçao's favourable tax policies.

Education

Avalon University School of Medicine is located in Willemstad.

Caribbean Medical University is located in Willemstad - close to downtown.

Sports

Major League Baseball players Jair Jurrjens, Wladimir Balentien, Jurickson Profar, Andruw Jones, Kenley Jansen and Jonathan Schoop are from Willemstad.

Pabao Little League has appeared in five Little League World Series, winning in 2004. In 2008, another Pabao Little League team won the Junior League World Series, after winning the Latin America Region, then defeating the Asia-Pacific Region and Mexico Region champions to become the International champion, and finally defeating the U.S. champion (West Region), Hilo American/National LL (Hilo, Hawaii), 5-2.

Infrastructure

Queen Emma bridge

Airport

Willemstad is served by Hato International Airport.

Bridges

Punda and Otrobanda are connected by Queen Emma Bridge, a long pontoon bridge. Although it is still in use, these days most road traffic now uses the Queen Juliana Bridge built in 1967 (rebuilt 1974) which arches high over the bay further inland. Nearby is also the now non-functioning Queen Wilhelmina Bridge drawbridge.

Geography

Climate

Willemstad has a tropical savannah climate (Köppen classification As).

Notable residents

• Baseball player Andruw Jones was born in Willemstad.
• Tennis player Jean-Julien Rojer was born in Willemstad.
• Football player Vurnon Anita was born in Willemstad.

References

External links

• Curaçao

World Heritage Sites in the Netherlands North D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station Wadden Sea1 East Schokland and Surroundings West Beemster Polder Canals of Amsterdam Defence Line of Amsterdam Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout Rietveld Schröder House Van Nelle Factory Wadden Sea1 Curaçao Historic Area of Willemstad 1 Shared locally with other region/s and with Germany