Netherlands Antilles

Locator map for the Netherlands Antilles, an autonomous island area of the Netherlands. The islands can be divided into two groups and are located in the Caribbean.

Two groups of Caribbean islands, overseas territories of the Netherlands with full internal autonomy, comprising Curaçao and Bonaire off the coast of Venezuela (Aruba is considered separately), and St Eustatius, Saba, and the southern part of St Maarten in the Leeward Islands, 800 km/500 mi to the northeast; area 797 sq km/308 sq mi; population (2001 est) 212,200. The capital is Willemstad on Curaçao. Oil from Venezuela is refined here. The leading industry is the refining of oil from Venezuela; other industries include the production of rum, petrochemicals, textiles, and electronic goods, while tourism is also important. Dutch is the official language, and Papiamento and English are also spoken.