symbolize Curacao and its uninhabited smaller sister island of Klein Curacao; the five star points signify the five continents from which Curacao's people derive
National anthem:
name: Himmo di Korsou (Anthem of Curacao)
lyrics/music: Guillermo ROSARIO, Mae HENRIQUEZ, Enrique MULLER, Betty DORAN/Frater Candidus NOWENS, Errol "El Toro" COLINA
note: adapted 1978; the lyrics, originally written in 1899, were rewritten in 1978 to make them less colonial in nature
Economy ::Curacao
Economy - overview:
Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Although GDP grew slightly during the past decade, the island enjoys a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the region. Curacao has an excellent natural harbor that can accommodate large oil tankers. The Venezuelan state oil company leases the single refinery on the island from the government; most of the oil for the refinery is imported from Venezuela; most of the refined products are exported to the US. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, Brazil, Italy, and Mexico being the major suppliers. The government is attempting to diversify its industry and trade and has signed an Association Agreement with the EU to expand business there. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture. Budgetary problems complicate reform of the health and pension systems for an aging population.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.838 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 $2.606 billion (2007 est.)
$2.452 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.08 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 98 2.2% (2007)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,970 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 15%
services: 84% (2000 est.)
Labor force:
63,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1.2%
industry: 16.9%
services: 81.8%
Unemployment rate:
10.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.7% (2009 est,) country comparison to the world: 46 6.8% (2008 est.)
Agriculture - products:
aloe, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit
Industries:
tourism, petroleum refining, petroleum transshipment facilities, light manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate:
NA
Electricity - production:
848.5 kWh (2005) country comparison to the world: 214
Exports:
$876 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 note: excludes oil
Exports - commodities:
petroleum products
Exports - partners:
US 13.1%, Guatemala 10.8%, Singapore 10.7%, Dominican Republic 9.6%,
Haiti 7.6%, The Bahamas 6.1%, Honduras 4.5%, Mexico 4.2% (2009 est.)
Imports:
$1.34 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Imports - commodities:
crude petroleum, food, manufactures
Imports - partners:
Venezuela 57.3%, US 19.2%, Brazil 8.1% (2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar - 1.79 (2009), 1.79 (2008), 1.79 (2007), 1.79 (2006)
Transportation ::Curacao
Airports:
1 country comparison to the world: 231
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 550 km country comparison to the world: 191
Ports and terminals:
Bullen Baai, Fuik Bay, Willemstad
Military ::Curacao
Military branches:
the Royal Netherlands Navy maintains a permanent and active presence in the region from its main operating base on Curacao; other local security forces include a coast guard, para-military National Guard (Vrijwilligers Korps Curacao), and Police Force (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
no conscription (2010)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
page last updated on January 19, 2011
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@Cyprus (Europe)
Introduction ::Cyprus
Background:
A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence
