NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

Compiled from the December 2003 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes.

Official Name:
Netherlands Antilles

PROFILE
PEOPLE AND HISTORY
GOVERNMENT
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
ECONOMY
FOREIGN RELATIONS
U.S.-NETHERLANDS ANTILLES RELATIONS
TRAVEL

PROFILE

Geography

Area: 960 sq km sq. km. (597 sq. mi.); more than five times the size of Washington, DC; five islands divided geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group (Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands (southern) group (Bonaire and Curacao).

Cities: Capital—Willemstad (metropolitan pop. 140,000, 1992). Islands: Curacao (pop. 125,600, 2002) Sint Maarten (40,000), Bonaire (10,000), Sint Eustatius (1,500), Saba (1,000).

Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors.

Climate: Tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective—Dutch Antillean(s).

Population: (2002) 125,599.

Annual growth rate: (2002)-0.01%.

Ethnic groups: Mixed black 85%, Carib Amerindian, White, East Asian.

Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-day Adventist.

Language: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) predominates, English widely spoken, Spanish.

Education: Literacy—96.4% Curacao; 96.3% Netherlands Antilles (2001).

Health: (1999 est.) Infant mortality rate (2002 est.)—7.38 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy—female,
77.46 yrs. (2001); male, 72.96 yrs.

Work force: (56,549, 2002) Agriculture—1%; industry—8%; services—91%.

Government

Type: Parliamentary.

Independence: Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Constitution: December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amended.

Branches: Executive—Monarch represented by a governor (chief of state), prime minister (head of government), Cabinet. Legislative—unicameral parliament. Judicial—Joint High Court of Justice appointed by the monarch.

Subdivisions: By Island: Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Curacao.

Political parties: Antillean Restructuring Party (PAR), C 93, Democratic Party of Bonaire (PDB), Democratic Party of Curacao (DP), Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius (DP-St. E), Democratic Party of Sint Maarten (DP-St. M), Labor Party People's Crusade (PLKP), National People's Party (PNP), New Antilles Movement (MAN), Patriotic Union of Bonaire (UPB), National Progressive Party (NPP), Saba United Democratic Party, Saba Labor Party, St. Eustatius Alliance (SEA), Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM [Will JOHNSTON]), Workers' Liberation Front (FOL), Democratic Party Statia, St. Eustatius Action Movement, Progressive Labor Party Statia, ORDU, People's Progressive Alliance (PPA), and others.

Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Flag: White, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.

Economy (2002)

GDP: (purchasing power parity) $2.0 billion.

Real growth rate: 0.7%.

GDP per capita: $15,959.

Natural resources: Beaches.

Tourism/Services: (84% GDP) Curacao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire.

Industry: (15% GDP) Types—petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao).

Agriculture: (1% GDP) Products—aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit.

Trade: Exports ($355 million, 2002)—petroleum products. Major markets—U.S. 24%, Venezuela 15%, Guatemala 10%, Singapore 6%. Imports ($2.82 billion f.o.b. 2001)—machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil (for refining and reexport)—chemicals, foodstuffs. Major suppliers—Venezuela 59.8%, U.S.
12.55%.

Exchange rate: (2003) US$1=1.78 ANG.

PEOPLE AND HISTORY

Curaçao

The Arawaks are recognized as the first human civilization to inhabit the Netherlands Antilles. A Spanish expedition led by Alonso de Ojeda discovered the island of Curaçao for Spain in 1499, and it remained under the Spanish until the Dutch took control in 1600. Curaçao was a strategically important point for military advances against the Spanish and as the center of Caribbean slave trade. Curacao became the host of the Netherlands Antilles Government in 1954.

Bonaire

With origins similar to Curaçao, the Dutch captured Bonaire in 1663, and it became a granary for the Dutch East Indian Company until 1791 when the government reclaimed control.

Sint Eustatius

The first settlement in Sint Eustatius was established in 1636 and changed hands between the Dutch, French, and Spanish 22 times in it's history. In the 18th century the island became a duty free port for overburdened colonizers shipping back to the homeland, which propelled it into a major port with rapid population growth that lost momentum after the American-British peace treaty in 1783.

Saba

Columbus was the first to sight Saba, but it was the Dutch who colonized the island in 1640 with a party from Sint Eustacia. Because of it's difficult terrain, the island progressed slowly and remains the least populated island in the Dutch Kingdom.

Sint Maarten

The Dutch were the first to colonize Sint Maarten in 1631, but within 2 years the Spanish invaded and evacuated the settlers. The Dutch made a failing attempt to regain the island in 1644, but 4 years later the Spanish abandoned the island on their own accord. In 1648 the island was divided between the Dutch and the French; however, complete control of the island was seized numerous times in a series of conflicts. The British became involved as well, taking power for a 6- and 10-year stint. Finally, in 1817, the current partition line was established. The island flourished under a slave-based plantation economy and the exportation of salt until abolition of slavery in 1863.

Unification

In 1845 the Dutch Leeward islands united with Curaçao, Bonaire, and Aruba in a political unit. The abolition of slavery hurt the island's economy until the 20th century when oil was discovered off the shores of Venezuela and a refinery was established on Curaçao. Also during that period an offshore financial sector was created to serve Dutch businesses.

Since 1945 the federation of the Netherlands Antilles—Curacao, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten have been autonomous in internal affairs. Aruba also was a part of this federation until January 1, 1986, when it gained status apart within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

About 85% of Curacao's population is of African derivation. The remaining 15% is made up of various races and nationalities, including Dutch, Portuguese, North Americans, natives from other Caribbean islands, Latin Americans, Sephardic Jews, Lebanese, and Asians. Roman Catholicism predominates, but several other churches are represented, which include Anglican, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, Mormon, and Baptist. The Jewish community is the oldest in the Western Hemisphere, dating back to 1634. The recent faltering in the economy has increased migration to the Netherlands, especially young adults. Since 1998 about 5% of the population has left the islands each year for the Netherlands.

GOVERNMENT

The Netherlands Antilles is one-half of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which also includes Aruba, which separated from the Antilles January 1, 1986. The Netherlands Antilles enjoys self-determination on all internal matters and defers to the Netherlands in matters of defense, foreign policy, and some judicial functions.

The Antilles is governed by a popularly elected unicameral "Staten" (Parliament) of 22 members. It chooses a prime minister (called Minister President) and a Council of Ministers consisting of six to eight other ministers. A governor, who serves a 6-year term, represents the Monarch of the Netherlands. Local government is assigned authority independently on each island. Under the direction of a Kingdom-appointed Island Governor, these local governments have a "Bestuurscollege" (administrative body) made up of commissioners who head the separate government departments.

Principal Government Officials
Last Updated: 11/5/03

Governor: Goedgedrag, Frits

Prime Minister: Louisa-Godett, Mirna

Dep. Prime Min.:

Min. of Economic Affairs & Labor: Cova, Errol

Min. of Education, Culture, Youth, & Sports: Domacasse, Herbert

Min. of Finance: de Lannooy, Ersilla

Min. of Foreign Affairs:

Min. of Public Health & Social Development: Theodora-Brewster, Joan

Min. of Justice: Komproe, Ben

Min. of Transportation & Telecommunication: Salas, Richard

Min. Plenipotentiary to The Hague: Dir.,

Bank of the Netherlands Antilles: Tromp, Emsley

POLITICAL CONDITIONS

In the parliamentary elections of January 18, 2002, the Frente Obrero Liberashon (FOL) gained 5 of the 14 seats available in Curacao, expelling the 2001 coalition on a campaign for social spending and poverty alleviation. This was in contrast to the previous government, which emphasized its commitment to International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform recommendations. A coalition government was formed in mid-May of 2002 which did not include the FOL because of disagreements with the other two largest Curacao-based parties. However, island level elections in May 2003 provoked a reshuffling of the national government, leading to a new coalition lead once again by the FOL in July 2003.

Drug smuggling by means of swallowing narcotics packets and boarding flights is a major issue for the Netherlands Antilles. This has caused tension with the Netherlands, to which most smugglers are bound, although recent efforts at combating this problem have been successful.

In 1993 a referendum confirmed the place of all islands within the union, despite earlier talks debating the constitutional status of the islands in the early 1990s. In 2000 the issue again arose, and in June 2000 Sint Maarten held a nonbinding referendum in which 69% of the population voted for status apart-independence from the federation within the Kingdom of the Netherlands Antilles. The Dutch Government does not support such a move, based on fears that Sint


Maarten cannot support its own central bank, police force, or larger government and wishes to be involved in all discussions. This is now a dominant political issue for Sint Maarten and the other islands, and official talks have begun once again.

ECONOMY

Tourism and the offshore financial sector have been the mainstays of the Netherlands Antillean's economy since the 1970s. The late 1980s and early 1990s brought growth, but hurricanes, pressure on the offshore sector, tighter monetary policy, and debt accumulation have caused contraction since 1996. High debt led the Government of the Netherlands Antilles to seek assistance from the IMF and the Dutch Government, through the IMF's Structural Adjustment Program. The current administration seeks to lessen dependency on the IMF, which has damaged the economy. The unemployment rate remains high, at around 14%, but the Bank van de Nederlandse Antillen is predicting modest recovery of demand and perhaps even growth in the near future. The economy remains dependent on tourism, which has suffered from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and lacks major agriculture or manufacturing, with the primary source of exports coming from the oil refining industry. Overall, these islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the region.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

The Netherlands Antilles conducts foreign affairs primarily through the Dutch Government. However, recently the Netherlands Antilles has strengthened its relations with other Caribbean governments. It has been granted observer status at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and in December 1998 it signed an agreement with the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) that made the Netherlands Antilles an associate member.

U.S.-NETHERLANDS ANTILLES RELATIONS

The United States maintains positive relations with the Netherlands Antilles and works cooperatively to combat narcotraffiking.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials

Curacao (CG), J.B. Gorsiraweg #1 • P.O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao, Tel [599] (9) 461-3066, Fax 461-6489; DEA Tel 461-6985, Fax 461-3192. E-mail: [email protected]

Aruba [INS], Queen Beatrix Airport, Oranjestad, Aruba, INS Tel. [297] 5831316, Fax 5831665; US Customs Service Tel 5887240, Fax 5887700; APHIS Tel 5887640, Fax 5887638

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 07, 2003

Other Contact Information

U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration Trade Information Center 14th and Constitution, NW Washington, DC 20230 Tel: 1-800-USA-TRADE

TRAVEL

Consular Information Sheet
January 28, 2004

Country Description: The Netherlands Antilles is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands comprised of five islands: Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius (aka Statia) and St. Maarten (Dutch side). Tourist facilities are widely available.

Entry Requirements: Either a valid U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate (original or certified copy) accompanied by a valid photo identification must be presented. While a U.S. passport is not mandatory, it is recommended since it is a more readily recognized form of positive proof of citizenship. Tourists may be asked to show onward/return tickets or proof of sufficient funds for their stay. Length of stay is granted for two weeks and may be extended for 90 days by the head office of immigration. For further information, travelers may contact the Royal Netherlands Embassy, 4200 Linnean Avenue, N. W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202)244-5300, or the Dutch Consulate in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Houston or Miami. Internet: http://www.netherlands/embassy.org.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

Dual Nationality: Dutch law in principle does not permit dual nationality. However, there are several exceptions to the rule. For example, American citizens who are married to Dutch citizens are exempt from the requirement to abandon their American nationality when they apply to become a Dutch citizen by naturalization. For detailed and specific information on this subject, contact the Embassy of the Netherlands in Washington or one of the Dutch consulates in the U.S.

In addition to being subject to all Dutch laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Dutch citizens. For additional information, see the Consular Affairs home page on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov for our dual nationality flyer.

Safety and Security: Terrorism and kidnappings are unknown, and there are no extremist groups or areas of instability of that kind. Drug related organized crime exists within the Netherlands Antilles, but has not directly affected tourists in the past.

Crime: In recent years, street crime has increased. Valuables, including passports, left unattended on beaches, in cars and hotel lobbies are easy targets for theft. Burglary and break-ins are increasingly common at resorts, beach houses and hotels. Armed robbery occasionally occurs. The American boating community has reported a handful of incidents in the past, and visitors are urged to exercise reasonable caution in securing boats and belongings.

Car theft, including that of rental vehicles for joy riding and stripping, can occur. Vehicle leases or rental may not be fully covered by local insurance when a vehicle is stolen. Be sure you are sufficiently insured when renting vehicles and jet skis.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

Medical Facilities: Medical care is generally good in Curaçao and St. Maarten, but may be limited on the other three islands. Hospitals have three classes of services i.e.: First Class: one patient to a room, air conditioning etc.; Second Class: two to six patients to a room, no air conditioning; Third Class: 15 to 30 people in one hall. Patients are accommodated due to the level of insurance.

Bonaire: The San Francisco hospital is a medical center (35 beds) with decompression facilities. The hospital has an air ambulance service to Curaçao and Aruba.

Curaçao: St. Elizabeth hospital is a public hospital that may be compared to midrange facilities in the United States. St. Elizabeth's hospital has a decompression chamber and qualified staff to assist scuba divers suffering from decompression sickness. Several private clinics provide good to excellent medical service.

St. Maarten: St. Maarten Medical Center (79 beds) is a relatively small hospital where general surgery is performed. Complex cases are sent to Curaçao.

Statia: Queen Beatrix Medical Center (20 beds). A medical facility well equipped for first aid. Surgery cases are sent to St. Maarten.

Saba: Saba Clinic (14 beds) is a well-equipped first aid facility. Surgery cases are sent to St. Maarten.

Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.

Other Health Information: Cases of Dengue Fever, a sometimes-fatal mosquito-borne illness for which there is no vaccine or cure, are occasionally reported on the islands. However, epidemics of Dengue rarely occur. It is recommended to use mosquito repellent containing "DEET" and to wear pants with long sleeve shirts during Dengue outbreaks.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the Netherlands Antilles is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of public transportation: good
Urban road conditions/maintenance: good
Rural road conditions/maintenance: fair
Availability of roadside assistance: good

Driving in the Netherlands Antilles is on the right hand side. Right turns on red are prohibited, and traffic conditions require somewhat defensive driving. Local laws require drivers and passengers to wear seat belts and motorcyclists to wear helmets. Children under 4 years of age should be in child safety seats; children under 12 should ride in the back seat.

Nonexistent or hidden and poorly maintained street signs are the major road hazard in the Netherlands Antilles. Therefore, drivers should proceed through intersections with caution. Roads in the Netherlands Antilles are extremely slippery during rainfall. Night driving is reasonably safe in the Netherlands Antilles as long as drivers are familiar with their routes and the road conditions thereof. Most streets are poorly lit or not lit at all. Drivers should be aware of herds of goats that may cross the street unexpectedly. In Bonaire, also wild donkeys may cross the road. Taxis are the easiest yet most expensive form of transportation on the islands. As there are no meters, passengers should verify the price before entering the taxi. Vans are inexpensive and run non-stop during daytime with no fixed schedule. Each van has a specific route displayed in the front of the windshield. Buses, which run on the hour, have limited routes. The road conditions on the main thoroughfares are in good to fair conditions.

For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, home page at http:/travel.state.gov/road_safety.html. For specific information concerning the Netherlands Antilles driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Netherlands National Tourist Organization offices in New York via the Internet at http://www.goholland.com. See also road safety information from other sources at www.curacao-tourism.com, www.statiatourism.com, www.sabatourism.com, www.infobonaire.com, www.st-maarten.com.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the Netherlands Antilles' civil aviation authority as Category 1 — in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of the Netherlands Antilles' air carrier operations.

For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.

Customs Regulations: Netherlands Antilles customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from the Netherlands Antilles. For example, it is strictly prohibited to export pieces of coral and/or seashells. For additional information on customs laws of the Netherlands Antilles, contact the Embassy of the Netherlands in Washington or one of the Netherlands' Consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the Netherlands Antilles' laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Netherlands Antilles' are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences. Do not agree or attempt to smuggle illegal drugs, either internally (swallowing) or in luggage. The Netherlands Antilles has strict gun control laws; even a stray bullet in a suitcase can trigger a fine or time in jail.

Consular Access: U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times so that, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available.

Special Circumstances: The timeshare industry and other real estate investments are two of the fastest growing tourist industries in the Netherlands Antilles. Time-share buyers are cautioned about contracts that do not have a "non-disturbance or perpetuity protective clause" incorporated into the purchase agreement. Such a clause gives the time-share owner perpetuity of ownership should the facility be sold. Americans sometimes complain that the timeshare units are not adequately maintained, despite generally high annual maintenance fees. Because of the large number of complaints about misuse of maintenance fees, particularly in St. Maarten, prospective timeshare owners are advised to review the profit and loss statement for maintenance fees. Investors should note that a reputable accounting firm should audit profit and loss statements.

Potential investors should be aware that failed land development schemes involving time-share investments could result in financial losses. Interested investors may wish to seek professional advice regarding investments involving land development projects. Real estate investment problems that reach local courts are rarely settled in favor of foreign investors. Department of State travel information publications are available at Internet address: http://travel.state.gov. Travelers may hear recorded information by calling the Department at (202) 647-5225 from a touch tone telephone.

An unusually competitive fee to rent vehicles or equipment could indicate that the dealer is unlicensed or uninsured. Visitors planning to rent jet skis should carefully review all liability and insurance forms presented to them before signing any contracts or agreements. The renter is often fully responsible for replacements costs and fees associated with any damages that occur during the rental period. Visitors may be required to pay these fees in full before leaving the Netherlands Antilles and may be subject to civil or criminal penalties if they cannot or will not make payment.

Disaster Preparedness: St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius lie in the hurricane belt, as opposed to Curaçao and Bonaire. Hurricane season starts in June and ends in November. In the event of a weather emergency, please follow the instructions of your hotel or the local government. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov/.

Children's Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone 1-888-407-4747.

Registration/Embassy and Consulate Locations: U.S. citizens living in or visiting the Netherlands Antilles are encouraged to register with the U.S. Consulate General in Curaçao located at J.B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad, Curaçao, telephone (599-9)461-3066; fax (599-9)461-6489; e-mail address: [email protected]..