ABSTRACT
Area overall: 800sq km (309sq miles); capital: Willemstad; population: 175,653 (2001 census), 85% of African or mixed descent; official language: Dutch; religion: Christian (Roman Catholics predominate). Constitution: The Netherlands Antilles are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands together with Aruba, which was separated in 1986. They enjoy full autonomy in domestic and internal affairs. The Queen of the Netherlands is represented by the Governor, who is appointed for a term of six years. The government of the Netherlands Antilles appoints a Minister Plenipotentiary who represents the Antilles in the government and, where appropriate, in the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom. The Governor is assisted by a Council of Ministers, responsible to the Staten (States) of the Antilles, which consists of 22 representatives elected for four years by universal suffrage, and divided thus: Curaçao 14, Bonaire three, St Maarten three, Saba one, St Eustatius one. History: A Spanish expedition located Bonaire and Curaçao in 1499, but the Spaniards regarded the islands as useless. Dutch settlement began with the capture of St Maarten in 1630. Curaçao was taken in 1634, St Eustatius in 1635, Bonaire in 1636 and Saba in 1640, but all the islands changed hands several times before 1648, and in the case of St Eustatius Dutch sovereignty was not finally recognized until 1816. In 1648 Curaçao became the centre of the slave trade for the Dutch West India Co, that trade reaching its peak on the island in 1685-1713. Slaves imported to the Guianas in the 18th century passed instead through St Eustatius, whose support for the insurgents in the American War of Independence precipitated war between Britain and the Netherlands. Sugar cultivation began in the islands in 1650 but was not very successful, though sufficient to help support the ‘plantocracy’. Though the slave trade was abolished in 1818, slavery itself continued until 1863. Meanwhile, in 1845 the islands had, together with Aruba, for the first time been placed under a single Governor, based on Curaçao. The building of an oil refinery by Royal Dutch Shell in 1915 brought a new prosperity to the islands, and in 1936 the first steps were taken towards self-government. Latest elections: Following the general election of 18 January 2002, the composition of the Staaten was: Frente Obrero i Liberashon 30 di mei 5, Partido Antía Restrukturá 4, Partido Nashonal di Pueblo 3, Partido Laboral Krusado Popular 2, Unión Patriótico Bonairiano 2, Democratic Party-St Maarten 1, Democratische Partij-Bonaire 1, National Alliance 1, Democratic Party-Statia 1, Windward Islands People’s Movement 1. International relations and defence: The Governor has executive power in external affairs, which are the responsibility of the Kingdom as a whole. The Governor is Commander in Chief of the armed forces. A small contingent of Dutch troops is stationed in Willemstad and a coast guard force operates from St Maarten and Aruba. Military service is compulsory. The US navy and air force have a base on Curaçao to patrol for illicit drugs. Economy: Three main activities dominate the economy of the islands: tourism, ‘offshore’ financial services and petroleum refining.
