Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles
| Willemstad | |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| Constituent country | Netherlands Antilles |
| Island | Curaçao |
| Established | 1634 |
| Quarters | Punda, Otrobanda |
| Population | |
| - Total | 125,000 |
| Estimated | |
| Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Netherlands Antilles* | |
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| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
 Willemstad Harbor |
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| State Party |  Netherlands |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iv, v |
| Reference | 819 |
| Region** | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1997 (21st Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. |
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Willemstad is the capital of the Netherlands Antilles. Located at Lat. and Long. , on the island of Curaçao, it has an estimated population of 125,000. The historic centre of the city consists of two quarters: Punda and Otrobanda. They are separated by the St. Anna bay, an inlet that leads into the large natural harbour called the 'Schottegat'.
Punda was established in 1634, when the Dutch captured the island from Spain. The original name of Punda originally was de punt in Dutch. Otrobanda, which was founded in 1707, is the newer section of the city and is considered to be the cultural center of Willemstad. Its name originated from the Papiamentu otro banda, which means "the other side." Punda and Otrobanda are connected by Queen Emma Bridge, a long bridge of boats. Although still in use, these days most road traffic now uses the Queen Juliana Bridge built in 1967 (rebuilt 1974) which arches high over the bay further inland. Nearby is also the now non-functioning Queen Wilhelmina Bridge draw bridge.
The city center of Willemstad boasts an array of colonial architecture that is influenced by Dutch styles. The city center, with its peculiar architecture and beautiful harbour entry, has been made a UNESCO world heritage site.
Due to its location near the Venezuelan oilfields, its political stability and its natural deep water harbor, Willemstad became the site of an important seaport and refinery. Willemstad harbor is one of the largest oil handling ports in the Caribbean. The refinery, originally built and owned by Royal Dutch Shell in 1915[1], was sold to the Curaçao government for the symbolic sum of one guilder in 1985 [2] and is now leased to PDVSA, the state owned Venezuelan oil company.
The city also is a tourist destination and contains several casinos.
Willemstad is served by Hato International Airport, which is the home base of Dutch Antilles Express and Insel Air, Curaçao's airlines.
Baseball has a strong presence in Willemstad. Pabao Little League has also appeared in the last 5 Little League World Series, winning in 2004. In addition, MLB All-star Andruw Jones, MLB Atlanta Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens, and MLB Cincinnati Reds outfielder Wladimir Balentien all hail from Willemstad.
The Snoga Synagogue in Willemstad was built by Sephardic Portuguese Jews from Amsterdam and Recife, Brazil. It is modeled after the Esnoga in Amsterdam. Congregation Mikvé Israel (now Mikvé Israel-Emanuel) built this synagogue in 1692; it was reconstructed in 1732 and is the oldest surviving synagogue building in the western hemisphere.
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