Geography

• Curacao is an island of 171 square miles, located in the southern Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela.
  
  

History

• Until the Spanish arrived in 1499, Curacao was home to the Arawak tribe. The arrival of the Dutch West India Company in 1634 brought slavery to the island, which continued until the 19th century.
  
  

Economy

• The slave trade brought affluence to Curacao, which suffered economic hardships when slavery was abolished in 1863. However, oil refineries were built in the early 20th century, fueling the economy once again.
  
  

Culture

• The Curacao people come from a diverse mix of backgrounds--the majority are Afro-Caribbean and European. While Dutch is the official language, three other languages--Papiamentu, Spanish and English--are widely spoken.
  
  

Features

• The old town of Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It features historic buildings that blend Dutch and Spanish colonial styles. Curacao also has an abundance of beaches--many of which offer good diving.