Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles

Infobox Settlement
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official_name = Willemstad
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imagesize = 300px
image_caption = Willemstad


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map_caption = Map of the Netherlands Antilles


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = nowrap|Constituent country
subdivision_name1 = nowrap|Netherlands Antilles
subdivision_type2 = Island
subdivision_name2 = Curaçao
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seat =
parts_type =Quarters
parts_style =para
parts =
p1 =Punda
p2 =Otrobanda
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established_title = Established
established_date = 1634
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population_note =Estimated
population_total =125000
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latd=12 |latm=7 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=68 |longm=56 |longs= |longEW=W
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Willemstad is the territorial capital of the Netherlands Antilles. Located at coord|12|7|N|68|56|W|region:AN_type:city(125,000)|display=inline,title, on the island of Curaçao, it has an estimated population of 125,000. The historic centre of the city consists of two quarters: Punda and Otrobanda. They are separated by the St. Anna bay, an inlet that leads into the large natural harbour called the 'Schottegat'.

Punda was established in 1634, when the Dutch captured the island from Spain. The original name of Punda originally 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 center of Willemstad. Its name originated from the Papiamentu "otro banda", which means "the other side." Punda and Otrobanda are connected by Queen Emma Bridge, a long pontoon bridge. The city center of Willemstad boasts an array of colonial architecture that is influenced by Dutch styles. The city center, with its peculiar architecture and beautiful harbour entry, has been made a UNESCO world heritage site.

Due to its location near the South American oilfields, its political stability and its natural deep water harbor, Willemstad became the site of an important seaport and refinery. Willemstad harbor is one of the largest oil handling ports in the Caribbean. The refinery, originally built and owned by Royal Dutch Shell in 1915 [ Curacao Inventment Corp page describing the refinery. Viewed April 2008. [http://www.investcuracao.com/01c08.html] ] , was sold to the Curaçao government for one guilder in 1985 [ New York Times, September 26, 1985 [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E4DC1539F935A1575AC0A963948260] ] and is now leased to PDVSA, the state owned Venezuelan oil company.

The city also is a tourist destination and contains several casinos.

Willemstad is served by Hato International Airport, which is the home base of Insel Air, Curaçao's airline.

Baseball has a strong presence in Willemstad. Pabao Little League has also appeared in the last 5 Little League World Series, winning in 2004. In addition, MLB All-star Andruw Jones, MLB Atlanta Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens and MLB Seattle Mariners outfielder Wladimir Balentien all hail from Willemstad.

The Snoga Synagogue in Willemstad, Curaçao was built by Sephardic Portuguese Jews from Amsterdam and Recife, Brazil. It is modeled after the Esnoga in Amsterdam. Congregation Mikvé Israel (now Mikvé Israel-Emanuel) built this synagogue in 1692; it was reconstructed in 1732 and is the oldest surviving synagogue building in the western hemisphere.

References

External links

* [http://www.boldts.net/album/CaribCur2.shtml Curaçao]