444 sq km (171 sq miles).
Population:146,836 (2013).
Population density:330.7 per sq km.
Capital:Willemstad.
Government:Automous within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Head of state:King Willem-Alexander since 2013, represented by Governor Lucille George-Wout since 2013.
Head of government:Prime Minister Bernard Whiteman since 2015.
Electricity:120/127 volts AC, 50Hz. American-style plugs with two flat pins (with or without round grounding pin) are used.
Colourful Curaçao is a vibrant mix of cultures - from the colonial architecture of the Dutch to the mouth-watering cuisine of the Creole. The island's handsome UNESCO heritage capital of Willemstad offers visitors a window into the past with its pastel-coloured houses and cobblestone plazas.
While elsewhere, the island's rolling desert plains hide a myriad of scenic gems, from hidden rocky coves trimmed by massive cliffs, to long sandy beaches flanked by clear blue-green water. Leafy nature trails offer quiet seclusion while music-filled malls bustle with bag-laden shoppers and cut-price deals.
