Curaçao(ˌkjʊərəˈsəʊ) is one of the islands in the Caribbean, north of Venezuela, that comprises the
Netherlands Antilles. Willemstad is the capital. Dutch is the official language of government, but papiamento is the language of daily life. Demographics The island has a population 142,180. The island is comprised of 85% mixed black ,15% other (includes Carib Amerindian, white, East Asian). The island is 80.1% Roman Catholic, 5.5% Protestant, 4.6% None, 3.5% Pentecostal ,2.2% Seventh Day Adventist, 1.7% Jehovah's Witness, 0.8% Jewish, 1.3% other, and not reported 0.3%. Curaçao has an issue with pollution and sewage being dumped into sea water. This will have adverse effects on its coral population, and the biodiversity and stock of marine population. The latter is also compounded by overfishing. There seems to have been incidents of sea urchin death. Mangroves are being cut down for development. Mangroves are vital for sifting pollution, coral reef protection, and coastal protection in breaking waves. Curaçao has engaged in several action to address climate change. A program called Blu Halo has been developed to use ocean resource in a sustainable way by designating no fishing zones. Special fishing traps called carmbi have been used to encourage sustainable fishing. Fishing incubators are being using to replenish fish population, especially fish like the parrot fish, which is beneficial to surrounding waters. Research is being undertaken to regrow corals in water tanks. Certain parts of the islands like Eastpoint has been reserved for no development as a means of propagating coral growth. Tree growing campaigns have also been explored with education targeting the youth about climate change.
HistoryCuraçao was originally settled by Caiquetio Indians. The Spanish was the first Europeans to settle the island in 1499. The Dutch took the island in 1634 and stayed to 1636. They proceeded to expell all Spanish and Indian population on the island. At this time they introduced African slavery on the island. Curaçao was mainly used as a shipping point for slaves. Local slaves were use in agriculture growing fruits and vegetabl, for feeding enslaved africans at port. A dyewood industry developed harvesting divi divi pods, used for tanning. Slavery in Curacao was mainly domestic. In 1683, 75% of slaves were domestics and 25% field slaves. A free population developed. Colonial society developed into a caste with whites at the top, free colored below, and slaves at the bottom. Between 1750-1795, most free mulatto and black served in the security corps called the Vrijkorps. Black women served as yaya raising children of slave owners. Sometimes slaves were made supervisor of other slaves called bombas. A color caste eventually developed around labor. The darker the skin tone the lower the job status. Racial categorisation also developed. Unique terms for various admixture could be found in the ABCs.
Related Article: Colleges and Universities of the Netherland Antilles and Aruba, Afro-Dutch , Caribbean Stock Exchange , Papiamentu , Timeline of Afro-Caribbean History , | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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