Bandariba | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 12°05′36″N 68°49′54″W / 12.0932°N 68.8317°W | |
State | Kingdom of the Netherlands |
Country | Curaçao |
Population (2011)
[1] | |
• Total | 20,838 |
Climate | BSh |
Bandariba (also: Banda'riba) is a district of the island of Curaçao. It is one of the three districts and encompasses the south-eastern part of the island. [2] The name is Papiamentu and translates to "upside". [3] The district contains the towns and villages of Santa Rosa, [4] Spaanse Water, [5]: 6 Montaña, [6] Seru Grandi, [7] and Oostpunt. [3]
In 1634, Curaçao was conquered by the Dutch West Indies Company , and the city of Punda was founded. In order to feed the population, plantations were established on the island. [8] The plantations were small-scale due to the infertile ground and produced yams, mangos, oranges, or raised livestock. [9] Bandariba later attracted free and freed slaves who settled in the vacant land. [10]
In the 19th century, the Roman Catholic church founded the villages of Santa Rose and Montaña in order to educate and convert the former slave population. [5]: 6 In 1875, a large-scale phosphate mine was opened near the Tafelberg, [11] In 1927, Royal Dutch Shell built an oil terminal at Spaanse Water. [12]
The current division of the island dates from 1930 when Willemstad was extended to include most of the suburbs. [13] During the late 20th century, tourism became important and Bandariba saw the development of tourist resorts. [14]
The village of Oostpunt, the most eastern point of the island, is private property of the Maal family, [3] and most of the 54 square kilometres (21 sq mi) [15] area surrounding the villages of Oostpunt, Sint Joris, and Santa Catharina [16] is off limits. [17] The village of Oostpunt is only inhabited by Willy Maal and his mother. [18] Oostpunt covers about 10% of the island. [16]
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