Bonaire Island

Island in the West Indies, most easterly and second-largest of the Netherlands Antilles, situated 80 km/50 mi north of Venezuela, 50 km/31 mi east of Curaçao, and 145 km/90 mi east of Aruba; area 288 sq km/111 sq mi; population (1990 est) 11,200. Industries include tourism, salt production, textile manufacture, radio communications, and oil transhipment. It was first occupied by the Dutch West Indies Company in 1634. The main town is Kralendijk.

The island is 35 km/22 mi long and composed mainly of coralline limestone. It reaches a height of 241 m/791 ft in the northwest, while the south of the island is low-lying. There is an airport which has helped the growth of the tourist industry. The Washington-Slagbaai National Park, established in 1969, is one of the main attractions.

Bonaire is home to many species of birds including a large colony of flamingos. Surrounded by coral reefs with extensive marine life, the island is a protected marine park and is popular with divers. Bonaire has an arid climate; the rainfall barely averages 500 mm/20 in, falling mainly in October, November, and December. Average temperatures range from 24°C in January to 31°C in September.

The island was formerly inhabited by the Arawak people. Amerigo Vespucci was the first European to reach the island in 1499.