Curacao History:

In 1499 a group of Spaniards under the name Alonso de Ojeda were the first Europeans to see the island. When they arrived, they enslaved most of the native population and relocated the survivors to other colonies where work was needed.

In 1634 the island was populated by the Dutch. Soon the Dutch West India Company founded the capital Williamston. Soon the natural Harbour of Williamston proved to be an idyllic spot for trade. Commerce, trade, and piracy became Curacao’s main endeavors and soon slaves were brought from Africa which led to a more affluent community.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the island changed hands among the British, French and Dutch several times. In 1863 the Dutch abolished slavery which caused economic hardships causing many colonists to migrate to other islands such as Cuba for work. In 1914 oil was discovered which prompted employment and immigration in Curacao.  Soon came about discrepancies between the social groups which caused a social movement that led to Afro- Caribbean’s having more political power. The island then developed a tourist industry that offered lower taxes to encourage companies to set upholdings. In recent years, the island has attempted to promote its unusual heritage and history to expand their tourist industry.