Dutch Island of Curaçao in the Caribbean (c) travelincousins.com
1. Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean Island
Located in the southern Caribbean Sea about 40 miles north of the Venezuela, Curaçao is a Lesser Antilles island and a constituent country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Located in the southern Caribbean Sea about 40 miles north of the Venezuela, Curaçao is a Lesser Antilles island and a constituent country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Willemstad Harbor (c) travelincousins.com
2. Willemstad is Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Curaçao's capital, Willemstad is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a result of the area's wide range of historic buildings. These include Landhouses, which are former plantation estates and West African style former slave dwellings, which are scattered all over the island. Some have been restored and can be visited.
Curaçao's capital, Willemstad is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a result of the area's wide range of historic buildings. These include Landhouses, which are former plantation estates and West African style former slave dwellings, which are scattered all over the island. Some have been restored and can be visited.
Arawak village (1860) (photo credit: wikipedia)
3. The original inhabitants of Curaçao were Arawak people.
Their ancestors had migrated to the island from the mainland of South America, likely hundreds of years before Europeans arrived. They were believed to have migrated from the Amazon Basin.
Their ancestors had migrated to the island from the mainland of South America, likely hundreds of years before Europeans arrived. They were believed to have migrated from the Amazon Basin.
Lacking gold, Curaçao, founded by the Dutch West India Company proved to be ideal for trade (c) travelincousins.com
4. The Dutch West India Company founded the capital of Willemstad
Developed on the banks of an inlet called the Schottegat, the island of Curaçao had long been ignored by colonists, because it lacked gold deposits. However, the natural harbor of Willemstad proved to be an ideal spot for trade.
Developed on the banks of an inlet called the Schottegat, the island of Curaçao had long been ignored by colonists, because it lacked gold deposits. However, the natural harbor of Willemstad proved to be an ideal spot for trade.
Curaçao is home to the oldest Jewish community in the Caribbean. The island’s oldest synagogue, the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue is located in the heart of the Punda quarter of Curaçao’s capital Willemstad. (photo credit: greenviewcuracao.com)
5. Sephardic Jews were an Integral Park of Curaçao's culture and economy.
With ancestors from the Iberian Peninsula, Sephardic Jews settled the island with the Dutch (and in then-Dutch Brazil). There influence has been quite significant on the culture and economy of the island.
In fact, the first Jew to settle in Curaçao was a Dutch-Jewish interpreter named Samuel Cohen, who arrived on board a Dutch fleet in 1634. By the mid-1700s, the community was the most prosperous in the Americas and many of the Jewish communities in Latin America, primarily in Colombia and Venezuela, resulted from the influx of Curaçaoan Jews.
With ancestors from the Iberian Peninsula, Sephardic Jews settled the island with the Dutch (and in then-Dutch Brazil). There influence has been quite significant on the culture and economy of the island.
In fact, the first Jew to settle in Curaçao was a Dutch-Jewish interpreter named Samuel Cohen, who arrived on board a Dutch fleet in 1634. By the mid-1700s, the community was the most prosperous in the Americas and many of the Jewish communities in Latin America, primarily in Colombia and Venezuela, resulted from the influx of Curaçaoan Jews.
Marshe Bieu - Old Market is great for local eats on Curaçao (photo credit: www.curacaovoorjou.nl)
6. Curaçao Has a Rich Food Culture
The influence of the ethnically and culturally diverse inhabitants of Curaçao that include Spanish, Dutch, Arawak and more, has resulted in an especially rich food culture. The best place to find the best local eats is at Marshe Bieu, known as the “Old Market" which is known to serve vegetarian options!
The influence of the ethnically and culturally diverse inhabitants of Curaçao that include Spanish, Dutch, Arawak and more, has resulted in an especially rich food culture. The best place to find the best local eats is at Marshe Bieu, known as the “Old Market" which is known to serve vegetarian options!
United States Currency is welcome on Curaçao (photo credit: 123rf.com)
7. United States Currency is Welcome Everywhere on Curaçao
For U.S. visitors, there is no need to exchange money when traveling to Curaçao as they accept United States Currency. This sure makes things for convenient for Americans!
For U.S. visitors, there is no need to exchange money when traveling to Curaçao as they accept United States Currency. This sure makes things for convenient for Americans!
Iguana is a popular food in Curaçao (photo credit: sun-sentinel.com)
8. Iguana is a Menu Item
Wow, not sure if this is for everyone, but those that are adventurous eaters, might like to know that Iguana has become a local favorite meal. Perhaps a little Iguana soup or stewed Iguana, “stoba yoana?”
Wow, not sure if this is for everyone, but those that are adventurous eaters, might like to know that Iguana has become a local favorite meal. Perhaps a little Iguana soup or stewed Iguana, “stoba yoana?”
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