Willemstad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Willemstad
Capital city
Central Willemstad view Basilica of St Anne Willemstad Town Hall Fort Amsterdam Queen Emma Bridge Curaçao Synagogue Penha Building
Willemstad on Curaçao
Willemstad Location in Caribbean
State	Kingdom of the Netherlands
Country	Curaçao
Established	1634
Quarters	Punda, Otrobanda, Scharloo, Pietermaai Smal
Population  (2011)
• Total	136,660
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Curaçao
Criteria	Cultural: ii, iv, v
Inscription	1997 (21st Session)
Area	86 ha
Buffer zone	87 ha

Willemstad is the capital and largest city of Curaçao. Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea. It is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Before 2010, Willemstad was the capital of the Netherlands Antilles.

The city's historic center has four main parts. These are Punda, Otrobanda, Scharloo, and Pietermaai Smal. Punda and Otrobanda are separated by the Sint Anna Bay. This bay leads to a large natural harbor called the Schottegat. Scharloo and Pietermaai Smal are across from each other on a smaller harbor called Waaigat.

Willemstad is home to the Curaçao synagogue. This is the oldest synagogue still standing in the Americas. The city center is famous for its unique buildings and harbor. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History of Willemstad

How the City Began

Punda was founded in 1634. This happened when the Dutch West India Company took control of the island from Spain. The original name for Punda was de punt in Dutch, meaning "the point." The city was built with walls around it for protection.

Willemstad quickly grew into a major trading center. Many people moved there, and the city's population grew fast. In 1674, the Curaçao synagogue was built. It was built by Jewish traders from Amsterdam and Brazil who had settled in the city. By the late 1600s, there were over 200 houses inside the city walls.

City Growth and Changes

In 1675, people decided to build the town of Pietermaai outside the walled city. It was kept separate by an empty area. This area was left clear so that cannons at Fort Amsterdam would have a clear shot.

In 1707, the area called Otrobanda was started. Otrobanda became an important cultural center for Willemstad. Its name comes from the Papiamentu words otro banda, which mean "the opposite side." The area of Scharloo followed, and Willemstad kept growing. By 1818, Willemstad had a population of 9,536 people. In 1861, the city walls were taken down. New homes were then built in the space that separated Willemstad from Pietermaai.

Modern Development

Around 1925, the oil and phosphate industries grew a lot. This led to even more new neighborhoods being built. Between 1945 and 1955, Julianadorp and Emmastad were created. These towns were built by Royal Dutch Shell to house new workers.

In 1969, a protest at an oil refinery subcontractor turned into a riot. Parts of the historic city center were burned. In 1997, the center of Willemstad and its old neighborhoods were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In recent years, a large project has started to fix up and renew the city.

Willemstad in the late afternoon

Economy

Tourism in Willemstad

Fort Amsterdam seen from the sea

Tourism is a very important industry in Willemstad. The city has several casinos. The city center is known for its many old buildings. These buildings show a strong Dutch style. There are also several beaches nearby, like Baya Beach.

Industry and Trade

Willemstad is located close to the oil fields of Venezuela. It also has a stable government and a natural deep-water harbor. Because of this, it became an important seaport and a place for oil refining. Willemstad's harbor is one of the biggest ports for handling oil in the Caribbean.

The oil refinery was once one of the largest in the world. It was first built by Royal Dutch Shell in 1915. Today, it is leased to PDVSA, which is Venezuela's state-owned oil company.

Isla Oil Refinery in the Port of Willemstad, seen from Fort Nassau

Financial Services

Many financial companies have offices in Willemstad. This is because Curaçao has helpful tax rules.

Education

Willemstad is home to the University of Curaçao. This is the main university for Curaçao. The Avalon University School of Medicine and the Caribbean Medical University are also located in Willemstad.

Sports

Ergilio Hato Stadium

Many famous Major League Baseball players come from Willemstad. These include Jair Jurrjens, Wladimir Balentien, Jurickson Profar, Andruw Jones, Ozzie Albies, Kenley Jansen, Jonathan Schoop, and Andrelton Simmons.

Jean-Julien Rojer, a well-known tennis doubles player, was also born in Willemstad.

In 1985, Willemstad hosted the 1985 Curaçao Grand Prix for Formula 3000 racing.

Pabao Little League teams from Willemstad have been very successful. They have appeared in the Little League World Series nine times. They won the championship in 2004. They were also named International Champions in 2005, 2019, 2022, and 2023. In 2008, another Pabao Little League team won the Junior League World Series.

Infrastructure

Airport

Willemstad is served by Curaçao International Airport. It is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) north of the city. About two million passengers use this airport each year.

Bridges

Queen Emma bridge

The areas of Punda and Otrobanda are connected by the Queen Emma Bridge. This is a long pontoon bridge that floats on the water. Even though it is still used, most cars now use the Queen Juliana Bridge. This bridge was built in 1967 and rebuilt in 1974. It arches high over the bay further inland. There is also the Queen Wilhelmina drawbridge nearby, which is no longer in use.

Notable People

• Ozzie Albies, a baseball player
• Andruw Jones, a baseball player
• Kenley Jansen, a baseball player
• Jonathan Schoop, a baseball player
• Jurickson Profar, a baseball player
• Jean-Julien Rojer, a tennis player
• George Maduro, a hero from World War II
• Gerrit Schotte, the first Prime Minister of Curaçao

Gallery

• 

  Colorful historic part of Willemstad

• 

  Buildings in historic area of Willemstad

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  Banco di Caribe

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  Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997

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  Queen Emma floating bridge in Willemstad

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  Queen Emma Bridge by night

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  Penha Building, built in 1708

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  The Queen Juliana Bridge over St. Anna Bay in Willemstad, Curaçao

See also

In Spanish: Willemstad para niños