Netherlands+Antilles

Topic: Netherlands Antilles

**#__1__ __General Information:__**
The Netherlands Antilles, previously known as the Netherlands West Indies or Dutch Antilles/West Indies, are two different groups of islands in the Caribbean Sea, such as, Curacao and Bonaire, right of the Venezuelan coast, and Sint Estatius, Saba and St. Maarten, which are southeast of the Virgin Islands

__**#2 Geography**__
An expedition controlled by Alonso de Ajeda discovered Curacao and took it under Spanish control in the year of 1499. Until 1634, when the Dutch drove out the Spanish and claimed it as their own. The island was one of the very important places for military advances against the Spanish, and a place of where Carribean slave trade was commonly known. Finally, in 1954 Curacao became the base of their own government, a very happy time for the people.
 * __Curacao__**

The orgins of Bonaire, are nearly exactly alike to those of Curacao. This served as a granary for the Dutch East Indian Company when captured by the Dutch in 1634 until 1791, when the government pulled itself together and reclaimed control.
 * Bonaire**

The first colonization of Sint Eustatius was made in 1636. Something interesting about this settlement is that it was taken over 22 times to date by the Dutch, French, and Spanish. In the 18th century, it became a duty free harbor for overworked colonizers heading back to their homeland, changing it to a major port with a massive, and ever growing population, which was slowed to a halt after the Ameerican-British peace treaty in the year of 1783
 * Sint Eustatius**

The first to see this island was actually C. Columbus, but it was not colinized until 1640 when the Dutch claimed it with a group from Sint Eustatius. Since the island has imensly rough terrain, the islands population growth was not as rapid as the other popular islands. Even today, it remains the least populated island. The cartoon is a drawing of C. Columbus looking out at the sea. Perhaps he's found Saba! (7)
 * Saba**

The first people to live in Sint Maarten were the Dutch, who claimed it for their own on 1631. However, less than two years later, the Spanish invaded, and evacuated the settlers. When the Dutch tried to take it back in 1644, but they unfortunately failed. Luckily for them, the Spanish left the island by choice. By the year 1648, the island was owned by both the Dutch and French. Complete control of the island was fought for many times in different conflicts, of wars. Later, even the Brittish joined in holding ownership for periods of 6 and 10 year periods. When the island finally reached peace in 1817, the partiton line betwenn Dutch and French was established (this is still in use today). This island was very wealthy by trading slaves, until slavery was made illegal in 1863, where the island reached some hardships.
 * Sint Maarten**

(Image taken from 4) This is a map of the Netherlands Antilles, which is a group of islands in the Caribbean sea
 * [[image:http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/caribb/annew.gif width="470" height="428"]] ||

__**#2 Economical History**__
As you might have expected, tourism and financial services have been the big thing in their economy since the 70's. The Central Bank stated that it became even stronger in the year 2005, strengthened by the fact that there were big upward thrust in private and subject sectors, led be the construction, wholesale and resale, and (once again) financial services sectors. However, though there was higher economical activities, it did not give more jobs. It actually raised the unemployment rate by 16.3% in '05. Something that also changed in that year was the inflation rate. It soared to 3.2% helped along with the fact that oil had reached sky high prices. Overall, though there was some major unemployment issues, the economy had a good year money-wise.
 * ECONOMY**

__**#3 Government**__
The government of for the Netherlands Antilles is a Parliamentary government. Its capital is Willemstad, and is located on the largest of the Carribean Islands; Curacao. They were granted entire autonomy in affairs of the Caribbean in 1954. It is actually quite a young country- only 18 years old. The Dutch Government takes care of all foreign and defense affairs. Each island has its own government, but it has no independence, as it is part of the Kingdom as the Netherlands. Now, you may be interested in who is what in their government system, and how they come to power. Rest assured, I have composed a list for you to see.


 * Chief of State:** Queen Beatrix (started in April 30, 1980)
 * Head of Government:** Prime Minister Etienne YS (June 3, 2004)
 * Cabinet:** Council of Ministers who were elected by the Legislature
 * The Majority Party:** This is normally elected by the Stated. (the last election was held January 18, 2006)
 * Elections:** The monarch is hereditary; and the Governor is chosen by the Monarch for a six year term.

__**#5 The Flag and some interesting facts**__
The Netherlands Antilles flag was chosen in the year of 1986. Its Proportion is 2:3. The five stars on the "addition sign" that is blue and red, represent the five isladns. I am also going to add in a few facts that have nothing to do with the flag, but are interesting none the less.

this is a picture of the Netherlands Antilles flag. (image taken from 2) Note: Each island has its own flag, but this is a picture of the group as a whole


 * the five stars on the flag represent the five islands(5)
 * There was once a 6th island called Aruba which was disbanded in1986(6)

RESOURCES: 1. [|http://en.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonairewikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands_Antilles] 2. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/22528.htm 3.http://education.yahoo.com/reference/factbook/nt/govern.html;_ylt=AjmUT89eUHXh.WDdxTDG0164ecYF 4. **[|worldatlas.com/.../ namerica/caribb/an.htm]** 5.**[|www.anyflag.com/ country/netherlaa.php] 6.http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/caribb/an.htm 7.http://www.st-thomas.angus.sch.uk/christopher_columbus.htm**