Netherlands Antilles - Curaçao

Curaçao.

One of the three postcards sent by Pieter from Curaçao in Netherlands Antilles.



NOTE : DISSOLUTION OF THE NETHERLAND ANTILLES
From Wikipedia : The dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles—a series of islands in the Caribbean that form an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands—will take place on 10 October 2010. After this date Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius will become special municipalities of the Netherlands, and will have to apply most Dutch law, while Curaçao and Sint Maarten will become constituent states within the Kingdom of the Netherlands along the lines of Aruba, which broke away from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986.

Netherlands Antilles - Curaçao

Curaçao.

One of the three postcards sent by Pieter from Curaçao in Netherlands Antilles.

This is from Wikipedia : Curaçao (pronounced /ˈkjʊərəsaʊ/; Dutch: Curaçao, Papiamentu: Kòrsou) is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Island Territory of Curaçao (Dutch: Eilandgebied Curaçao, Papiamentu: Teritorio Insular di Kòrsou), which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao ("Little Curaçao"), is one of five island territories of the Netherlands Antilles, and as such, is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Its capital is Willemstad.

Curaçao is the largest,coolest, and most populous of the three ABC islands (for Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) of the Lesser Antilles, specifically the Leeward Antilles. It has a land area of 444 square kilometers (171 square miles). As of 1 January 2009, it had a population of 141,766.

On 10 October 2010, the Netherlands Antilles will be dissolved and Curaçao will become an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Netherlands Antilles - Curaçao

Curaçao.

One of the three postcards sent by Pieter from Curaçao in Netherlands Antilles.

Blackbar Soldierfish

Blackbar soldierfish (a member of the squirrelfish family) hiding underneath clusters of Orange cup coral (Tubastrea coccinea). Saba is one of the islands in the Netherlands Antilles.

Sent by Tristan from Netherlands Antilles.

This is from Wikipedia : Saba (pronounced /ˈseɪbə/) is the smallest island of the Netherlands Antilles, located at 17°38′N 63°14′W / 17.633°N 63.233°W / 17.633; -63.233Coordinates: 17°38′N 63°14′W / 17.633°N 63.233°W / 17.633; -63.233. It consists largely of the potentially active volcano Mount Scenery (877 m), the highest point of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Saba has a land area of 13 km² (5 sq. miles). At the 2001 Netherlands Antilles census, the population was 1,349 inhabitants, which means a population density of 104 inhabitants per km². In 2004 the population was estimated at 1,424 inhabitants. The official languages are Dutch and English, although there is a local dialect.

Its current major settlements include The Bottom, Windwardside, Hell's Gate and St. Johns. Both Dutch and English are official languages. Despite the island's Dutch affiliation, English is the principal language spoken on the island and has been used in its school system since the 19th century. The Netherlands Antillian Guilder (ANG) is the official currency, but the U.S. dollar is accepted everywhere on the island. Starting January 1, 2011, however, the U.S. dollar will take over as the official currency.

Saba is home to the Saba University School of Medicine, which was established by American expatriates in coordination with the Netherlands government. The school adds over 300 residents when classes are in session, and it is the prime educational attraction. A.M. Edwards Medical Center is the major provider of healthcare for local residents.

Saba is slated to become a special municipality within the country of the Netherlands, and currently the schedule for this transition has been set for October 10th, 2010.

The island declared its intention to become independent from the Netherlands Antilles on 1 September 2009 whilst stating that it will adhere to its referendum result of 86% in favour of direct ties with the Netherlands. However, according to Dutch State Secretary Bijleveld for Kingdom Relations, it is at this moment not legally possible for Saba to become independent from the Antilles.