šØš¼ 11 Curious Facts about CuraƧao
The beautiful island of CuraƧao is one of the most fascinating in the whole of the West Indies. Youāll find it out in the Caribbean, but did you know that it actually has links to the Netherlands?
Thereās likely plenty more you can learn about the nation which will surprise you. Here are some fun facts about CuraƧao we could find for you ā whether or not youāre planning a holiday there!
1. Itās technically Dutch territory!
Yes ā CuraƧao is actually under the governance of the Netherlands, despite the fact that you will find the island out in the West Indies!
However, Dutch rule states that CuraƧao is an āautonomous stateā, technically meaning it runs separately from the Netherlands. However, its technical head of state is still the King or Queen ofĀ Holland!
2. So.. where does CuraƧao actually belong?
In fact, its general position in the world can get a bit confusing. Itās technically part of the Lesser Antilles, though youāll also find people regard it as an island within the Continental Shelf.
3. Languages are varied here.
Curacao is multi-lingual. In fact, most people here will speak four languages or a mixture of everything! Many people in CuraƧao speak English, Dutch, Papiamentu and Spanish.
Whatās Papiamentu, you ask? Itās actually CuraƧaoās āofficialā language. This is even more of a mixed bag of words and pronunciations! Itās actually a curious blend of Dutch, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish!

Flag of CuraƧao
4. Be prepared for colorful streets and buildings!
CuraƧao is one of the most colorful nations in theĀ Caribbean. Its buildings are Dutch-inspired (given the islandās history and ownership). Most homes here are bright yellow, red,Ā orangeĀ and more.
5. Religion varies across the region.
CuraƧao has no one official religion, though it is actually home to the oldestĀ JewishĀ settlement in the West! Thatās because Jewish people emigrating away from Portugal landed here centuries ago.
6. If youāre American, keep your dollars handy.
US visitors wonāt have to change theirĀ moneyĀ up. To add to CuraƧaoās confusing connections, US money is perfectly legal to spend on the island. However, the official currency here is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder.
7. Thereās a smaller spin-off, too!
CuraƧao has a separate island, āKleinā or āLittleā Curacao, and it is completely deserted. It is, however, free for you to explore! Youāll find a lighthouse and wreckage here. Itās also a fantastic place to visit if you want to feast your eyes on some stunning marineĀ life.
8. Itās a diver’s paradise.
CuraƧaoĀ mayĀ not be the best-known nation on the planet, but itās famous with deep-sea divers. One of its most popular dive spots is theĀ MushroomĀ Forest, which is actually underwaterĀ coralĀ that looks more than a little bit like fungi!
9. It doesnāt get too windy.
Worried about hurricanes when visiting the Caribbean? Curaçao largely avoids any kind of hurricane thanks to being just below the hurricane belt. Therefore, strong, hazardous winds here are very rare, if hardly possible.
10. Here are some population stats.
As of data from 2018, around 160,000 people live here, and the island spans 171 square miles.
11. UNESCO recognizes the region.
The capital of CuraƧao isĀ Willemstad, and itās a UNESCO world heritage site! This is partly thanks to the wide array of different Dutch architecture on display.
FAQs about CuraƧao
Is CuraƧao part of the European Union?
No - despite the fact that CuraƧao is owned by the Netherlands, itās not part of the EU as itās an overseas territory.
What is CuraƧao best known for?
CuraƧao is well known for its amazing beaches, its colorful buildings and its historic streets.
Is CuraƧao a poor country?
Regrettably, CuraƧao does suffer from poverty. Itās said to have a poverty rate of around 25%.
Do you know any fun facts about Curaçao?  Share them in the comments below!
This page was last modified on May 3, 2022. Suggest an edit