Willemstad

Willemstad
/vil"euhm staht'/, n.
a seaport on the island of Curaçao, in the S West Indies: capital of the Netherlands Antilles. 152,000.

* * *

City (pop., 1999 est.: 123,000), capital of the Netherlands Antilles, West Indies.

Located on the southern coast of Curaçao, it was founded in 1634. Willemstad contains many Dutch colonial buildings and is the site of the oldest (1732) synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. It became a major oil-refining centre after 1918; other industries include banking and tourism.

* * *

▪ Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
 chief town of Curaçao and capital of the Netherlands Antilles, located on the southern coast of the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean Sea. It is divided into two parts by the Sint Anna Baai (Saint Anne Bay) leading to Schottegat Harbour. The two halves, Punda and Otrabanda (“Other Side”), are joined by the Koningin Emma Brug, or Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, opened in 1888 and rebuilt in 1939; it underwent a major restoration in the early 21st century. A fixed bridge was completed in 1974. Willemstad is a Caribbean centre of trade, petroleum storage and refining, tourism, and banking. The town has many Dutch-style gabled houses. Important buildings include Fort Amsterdam (1635), which once guarded the entrance to Schottegat Harbour and is now the seat of government; the Dutch Reformed Church (1769); and the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (1732), the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. Attractions include the Museum Kurá Hulanda, which chronicles the history of African empires, the slave trade, and the experiences of Africans in the Western Hemisphere. The Curaçao Museum, which features traditional and contemporary art, is the island's oldest museum. In 1997 the inner city and harbour of Willemstad were designated a World Heritage site. Pop. (2001 est.) urban agglom., 125,000.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Willemstad — Willemstad …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Willemstad — can refer to: *Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao *Willemstad (North Brabant), a town in Moerdijk, the Netherlands *Willemstad (Groningen), a hamlet near Marum, the Netherlands *Willemstad (Friesland), a hamlet in the Netherlands …   Wikipedia

  • Willemstad — Willemstad, 1) befestigte Stadt in der niederländ. Provinz Nordbrabant, links am Hollandschdiep, mit 2 Forts, Arsenal, Hafen und (1905) 2132 Einw., wurde 1583 von dem Prinzen von Oranien angelegt und 1793 tapfer gegen die Franzosen verteidigt. –… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Willemstad — Willemstad, einzige Stadt der niederländ. westind. Insel Curaçao, 15.000 E., befestigt …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Willemstad — [wil′əm stät΄, vil′əm stät΄] capital of the Netherlands Antilles, on the island of Curaçao: pop. 50,000 …   English World dictionary

  • Willemstad — Zona histórica de Willemstad, centro de la ciudad y puerto, Antillas Holandesas1 Patrimonio de la Humanidad Unesco Puerto de Willemstad …   Wikipedia Español

  • Willemstad — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Willemstad est la capitale de Curaçao. Willemstad est une ville du Brabant Septentrional aux Pays Bas. Willemstad est un village de la Frise aux Pays Bas …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Willemstad — 1 Original name in latin Willemstad Name in other language Gorad Vilemstad, Vilemstad, Vilemstadas, Vilemstado, Villemstad, Villemstant, Villemtad, Willemstad, Willemsted, Willemstd, billemseutateu, uWillemstadiremusutaddo, vilemastada, wei lian… …   Cities with a population over 1000 database

  • Willemstad — ► C. cap. de las Antillas Holandesas, en el S de la isla de Curaçao; 125 000 h. * * * Ciudad (pob., est. 1999: 123.000 hab.) y capital de las Antillas Neerlandesas. Se ubica en la costa sur meridional de Curação y se fundó en 1634. En Willemstad… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Willemstad — Sp Vilemstadas Ap Willemstad L Olandijos Antilų adm. c. (Kiurasao s.) …   Pasaulio vietovardžiai. Internetinė duomenų bazė

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”