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Difference between revisions of "Netherlands Antilles"
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==Economy of Netherlands Antilles== | ==Economy of Netherlands Antilles== | ||
Unlike most other Caribbean islands, the Netherlands Antilles seldom depended on the export of sugar or other plantation crops, which could not grow well in the dry climate of the larger islands. Instead, Curaçao (and during the 18th century Sint Eustatius) developed into a centre of regional trading and finance, activities that, together with oil refining and tourism, became the basis of the islands’ economy. Willemstad in particular became an important Caribbean banking centre. Tourism and other services becameincreasingly important throughout the islands. | |||
Agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mining play minor roles in the economy of the islands. Curaçao has some calcium phosphate mining; salt is processed on Bonaire. Sugarcane and cotton plantations were once established on Saint Martin and Sint Eustatius. Curaçao was at one time used mainly for livestock raising, but, after the overgrazing of land, new small-scale agricultural ventures were begun, such as the cultivation of aloes for pharmaceutical products and oranges for Curaçao liqueur. Aloes are also grown on Bonaire. Fish are important to the economy of Sint Maarten. Farmers on Saba raise livestock and cultivate vegetables, particularly potatoes, which are exported to neighbouring islands. | |||
The main industry of Curaçao is oil refining, which started with the exploitation of Venezuelan oil fields in 1914 and the opening in 1918 of an oil refinery on Curaçao. Curaçao also produces liqueurs. Bonaire has a textile factory and Sint Maarten a rum distillery. Other factories produce electronic parts and cigarettes. | |||
Curaçao refines and reexports a major portion of the oil extracted from Venezuelan territory, and petroleum and petroleum products are the island’s main exports. The entrepôt trade in the free ports of Curaçao is also significant. Curaçao’s foreign trade is mainly with Venezuela, the United States, the Netherlands, and several countries of Central America and the Caribbean. Most of the islands’ requirements of food and commercial goods are met by imports. | |||
The islands have extensive road systems. There are international airports at Curaçao, Bonaire, and Sint Maarten; Sint Eustatius and Saba also have airfields. Curaçao is a major point of shipping for the petroleum industry, and Sint Maarten is a leading Caribbean port of call for cruise ships. | |||
==Government and Society of Netherlands Antilles== | ==Government and Society of Netherlands Antilles== | ||
==Culture Life of Netherlands Antilles== | ==Culture Life of Netherlands Antilles== | ||