Curacao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located in the southern Caribbean Sea. The island has a population of over 160,000 people and is one of the most populous islands in the Caribbean. The capital and largest city of Curacao is Willemstad.

Curacao has a diverse culture influenced by its colonial past, as well as the many different groups of people who have lived on the island throughout its history. The official languages are Dutch, Papiamento (a Creole language), and English.

The island has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. Curacao is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, clear blue waters, and vibrant nightlife. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also popular activities, as the island has an abundance of marine life and coral reefs.

Curacao has a mixed economy, with tourism, oil refining, and financial services being the main sources of income. The island has a well-developed infrastructure, including a modern airport and a deep-water port.

As a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curacao has a high degree of autonomy, with its own parliament and government. The island has a stable political climate, with a multi-party democracy and a constitutional monarchy. The currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, although the US dollar is widely accepted.

National holiday
King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day are observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday

Telephone Code
599

Local Emergency Phone
112

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year

Currency (Code)
Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
127 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, B

Major Languages
Papiamento (a creole language) 79.9%, Dutch 8.8%, Spanish 5.6%, English 3.1%

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 72.8%, Pentecostal 6.6%, Protestant 3.2%, Adventist 3%, Jehovah's Witness2%, Evangelical 1.9%

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Willemsted (includes historic Inner City, Queen Emma Bridge); Christoffelpark; Shete Boka Park; Landhuis Chobolobo; Hato Caves; Klein Curacao

Major Sports
Soccer, baseball, sailing

Cultural Practices
Always greet people upon arrival.

Tipping Guidelines
Restaurants bills usually add a 8-15% service charge. Tip porters at the airport and bellhops at the hotel $1 (USD) per bag. Taxi drivers are usually tipped with 20% of the fare.

Souvenirs
Woven baskets or straw hats, batik fabric, seashell and beaded jewelry, liquor, imported items from the Netherlands

Traditional Cuisine
Keshi Yena — cheese typically stuffed with chicken, vegetables, seasonings, and raisins

Geography
Area
total: 444 sq km
land: 444 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year

Natural resources
calcium phosphates, protected harbors, hot springs

People and Society
Population
152,849 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Curacaoan 75.4%, Dutch 6%, Dominican 3.6%, Colombian 3%, Bonairean, Sint Eustatian, Saban 1.5%, Haitian 1.2%, Surinamese 1.2%, Venezuelan 1.1%, Aruban 1.1%, other 5%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)

Languages
Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 80%, Dutch (official) 8.8%, Spanish 5.6%, English (official) 3.1%, other 2.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)

Religions
Roman Catholic 72.8%, Pentecostal 6.6%, Protestant 3.2%, Adventist 3%, Jehovah's Witness 2%, Evangelical 1.9%, other 3.8%, none 6%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate
0.3% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy

Capital
name: Willemstad

Economy
Economic overview
high-income island economy; developed infrastructure; tourism and financial services-based economy; investing in information technology incentives; oil refineries service Venezuela and China; unique COVID-19 stimulus support applied to government debts rather than household support

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$3.167 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$20,800 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
aloe, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit

Industries
tourism, petroleum refining, petroleum transshipment, light manufacturing, financial and business services

Exports
$1.28 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Switzerland 27%, United States 17%, Spain 14%, Ecuador 7%, India 7%, Antigua and Barbuda 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
gold, precious metal scraps, petroleum coke, frozen fish, coal tar oil (2019)

Imports
$1.915 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 35%, Netherlands 24%, China 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, packaged medicines, perfumes (2019)