Willemstad
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Willemstad (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell; {{#invoke:IPA|main}}; {{#invoke:IPA|main}}; Template:Literal translation) is the capital and largest city of Curaçao, an island in the southern Caribbean Sea that is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was the capital of the Netherlands Antilles prior to that entity's dissolution in 2010. The city counts to have around 90% of Curaçao’s population, with 136,660 inhabitants as of 2011.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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. Willemstad is home to the Curaçao synagogue, the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas. The city centre, with its unique architecture and harbour entry, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
HistoryEdit
Punda was established in 1634, when the Dutch West India Company captured the island from Spain. The original name of Punda was de punt in Dutch. The city was constructed as a walled city.<ref name="history">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It soon developed into one of the major centres of the Atlantic slave trade which triggered a rapid population growth.Template:Sfn In 1674, the Curaçao synagogue was built by Sephardic Portuguese Jews from Amsterdam and Recife, Brazil who had settled in the city as traders.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the late 17th century, there were over 200 houses within the city walls.<ref name="history"/>
In 1675, it was decided to construct the town of Pietermaai outside of the enclosed city. It was to be separated from the city by an area of about 500 metres in which construction was not allowed so as not to obstruct the cannons in Fort Amsterdam.<ref name="gids">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1707, the suburb of Otrobanda was founded. Otrobanda would become the cultural centre of Willemstad. Its name originated from the Papiamentu otro banda, which means "the opposite side".Template:Sfn The suburb of Scharloo followed, however Willemstad continued to experience growth.Template:Sfn By 1818, the population of Willemstad had grown to 9,536 people.Template:Sfn On 13 May 1861, a decision was made to demolish the city walls, and build residential houses in the gap separating Willemstad from Pietermaai.Template:Sfn
Around 1925, the booming oil and phosphate industry further stimulated growth, and resulted in the creation of new neighbourhoods.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Between 1945 and 1955, Julianadorp and Emmastad were created by Royal Dutch Shell to house the new workers.<ref name="archief">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1985, the oil refinery which employed 12,000 people was closed down by Shell. The Government of Curaçao decided to buy the refinery for ƒ 1.00 and take responsibility for all future pollution claims. In 1986, it was leased to the Venezuelan PDVSA, and reopened on a limited scale.<ref name="volkskrant">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2017, the PDVSA was hit by punitive sanctions of the United States Government,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and attempts have been made to seize the refinery.<ref name="volkskrant"/>
On 30 May 1969, the Curaçao uprising, a strike at a subcontractor of the oil refinery, turned into a riot. The riot resulted in two deaths, 300 arrests and a part of the historic centre being burnt down. The Netherlands Marine Corps was sent to Willemstad and the entire city centre was closed down.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1997, the centre of Willemstad and its former suburbs were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<ref name="heritage">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the 21st century, a largescale program of renovation started.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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EconomyEdit
AviationEdit
Jetair Caribbean, the national airline of Curaçao, has its corporate head office in Maduro Plaza.<ref>"General conditions" (Archive) Insel Air. Retrieved on 21 March 2014. "Our Registered Address is Dokweg 19, Maduro Plaza, Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles."</ref>
TourismEdit
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The city is also home to several beaches like Baya Beach.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
IndustryEdit
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The four companies comprising the Royal Dutch Shell<ref>Shell, Willemstad page.</ref> refining operation; the actual refinery, oil bunkering, the tugboat company (KTK) and the local distribution of refined products (CurOli/Gas) were each sold to the government of Curaçao in 1985<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> for the symbolic sum of one guilder per company, or a total of 4 guilders<ref>Op 23 september van dat jaar deed Shell, na maandenlange onderhandelingen met de Antilliaanse en Nederlandse regeringen, de raffinaderij aan de Buscabaai alsmede de tankopslag, het sleepbootbedrijf en de lokale verkoopmaatschappij voor een gulden per bedrijf, dus in totaal vier gulden, 'met alle lusten en lasten' over aan de Nederlandse Antillen en Curaçao. nrc.ln/nieuws</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Financial servicesEdit
Numerous financial institutions are incorporated in Willemstad due to Curaçao's favourable tax policies.
EducationEdit
The University of Curaçao is the national university of Curaçao and located in Willemstad.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Avalon University School of Medicine is located in Willemstad. The Caribbean Medical University<ref>Caribbean Medical University, official website.</ref> is also located in Willemstad, close to the city centre.
SportsEdit
Major League Baseball players Jair Jurrjens, Wladimir Balentien, Jurickson Profar, Andruw Jones, Ozzie Albies, Kenley Jansen, Jonathan Schoop and Andrelton Simmons are from Willemstad.
Noted tennis doubles player Jean-Julien Rojer was born in Willemstad.
Enith Brigitha, a bronze medalist swimmer who represented the Netherlands in the Summer Olympics was born in Willemsted. She was also the first black athlete to win a swimming medal at the Olympics.
In 1985, Willemstad hosted the Curaçao Grand Prix for Formula 3000. The race was won by Danish racing driver John Nielsen. Pabao Little League has appeared in nine Little League World Series, winning in 2004. They were crowned the International Champions in 2005, 2019, 2022, and 2023. 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.
InfrastructureEdit
AirportEdit
Willemstad is served by Curaçao International Airport, located Template:Convert north of the city, which is annually used by about two million passengers.
BridgesEdit
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 drawbridge.
GeographyEdit
ClimateEdit
Notable peopleEdit
- Kemy Agustien, footballer<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Ozzie Albies, Major League Baseball player
- Tahith Chong, footballer
- Rebecca Cohen Henriquez, activist<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Guliano Diaz, former professional footballer
- Luigison V. Doran, footballer
- Jan Helenus Ferguson, Colonial governor of the Dutch Gold Coast<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Elson Hooi, footballer<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Jacky Jakoba, baseball player<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Andruw Jones, baseball player<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- George Maduro, World War II resistance member and recipient of the Military Order of William
- Manuel Piar, general-in-chief of the army during the Venezuelan War of Independence
- Jean-Julien Rojer, tennis player
- Gerrit Schotte, 1st Prime Minister of Curaçao
- Jonathan Schoop, baseball player<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Kenley Jansen, Major League Baseball pitcher
- Luis Brión, admiral during the Venezuelan war of independence
- Jurickson Profar, Major League Baseball player
GalleryEdit
- Queen Emma Bridge in Curaçao.jpg
Colorful historic part of Willemstad
- Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Curaçao-139159.jpg
Buildings in historic area of Willemstad
- Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Curaçao-139160.jpg
Banco di Caribe
- Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Curaçao-139163.jpg
Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997
- Willemstad Curacao Queen Emma Brücke (36653920046).jpg
Queen Emma floating bridge in Willemstad
- Willemstad Curacao Queen Emma Bridge by night (36304702930).jpg
Queen Emma Bridge by night
- Penha Building, Willemstad, Curaçao - February 2020.jpg
Penha Building, built in 1708
- The Queen Juliana Bridge over St. Anna Bay in Willemstad, Curaçao.jpg
The Queen Juliana Bridge over St. Anna Bay in Willemstad, Curaçao
ReferencesEdit
BibliographyEdit
External linksEdit
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