<p>Curacao is an island in the Caribbean Sea, and a country within the Kingdom of The Netherlands.&nbsp;</p>

<p>
	<br>
</p>

<p>Capital: Willemstad</p>

<p>Language: Dutch and Papiamento. (Many of locals also speak English and Spanish as well)</p>

<p>Population: 160,000 (approximately)</p>

<p>
	<br>
</p>

<p>Like many Caribbean Islands Curacao was first settled by Arawaks from the South American mainland. The Spanish arrived &nbsp;in 1499, &nbsp;and &nbsp;in 1515 deported the entire indigenous population as slaves to Hispaniola. The Dutch came and established a major centre of trade for the Dutch West India Company.&nbsp;</p>

<p>
	<br>
</p>

<p>In the 1500's a Jewish community was formed by Sephardic Jews who emigrated from Portugal, and is now home of the oldest Jewish community in the Western world.</p>

<p>
	<br>
</p>

<p>During the 1660 - 1700's the Dutch West India Company flourished as did the slave trade, and the port of Curacao became a busy hub for the importing and disposing of goods from the plantations of South America. &nbsp;In spite of many wars between competing privateers, Curacao remained Dutch. In 1954 Curacao and 6 other Dutch dependencies were reorganized as the Netherland Antilles and were granted autonomy in their internal affairs. &nbsp;In 2010 they became countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.&nbsp;</p>

<p>
	<br>
</p>

<p>Even though rainfall is scant the Island developed a major sugarcane economy under Dutch colonial rule. &nbsp;It now produces oranges, the dried peel of which is the base for the famous Curacao blue liquer. Aloes is exported for pharmaceutical uses. &nbsp;</p>

<p>
	<br>
</p>

<p>Today the expanding of the tourism industry is integral to the economy.</p>