Punda was established in 1634, when theDutch West India Company captured the island from Spain. The original name of Punda wasde punt inDutch. The city was constructed as a walled city.[3] It soon developed into one of the major centres of theAtlantic slave trade which triggered a rapid population growth.[4] In 1674, theCuraçao synagogue was built bySephardic Portuguese Jews from Amsterdam and Recife, Brazil who had settled in the city as traders.[5] In the late 17th century, there were over 200 houses within the city walls.[3]
In 1675, it was decided to construct the town ofPietermaai outside of the enclosed city. It was to be separated from the city by an area of about 500 metres in which construction was not allowed so as not to obstruct the cannons inFort Amsterdam.[6] In 1707, the suburb ofOtrobanda was founded. Otrobanda would become the cultural centre of Willemstad. Its name originated from thePapiamentuotro banda, which means "the opposite side".[7] The suburb ofScharloo followed, however Willemstad continued to experience growth.[4] By 1818, the population of Willemstad had grown to 9,536 people.[8] On 13 May 1861, a decision was made to demolish the city walls, and build residential houses in the gap separating Willemstad from Pietermaai.[4]
Around 1925, the booming oil and phosphate industry further stimulated growth, and resulted in the creation of new neighbourhoods.[9] Between 1945 and 1955,Julianadorp andEmmastad were created byRoyal Dutch Shell to house the new workers.[10] In 1985, the oil refinery which employed 12,000 people was closed down by Shell. The Government of Curaçao decided to buy the refinery for ƒ 1.00 and take responsibility for all future pollution claims. In 1986, it was leased to the VenezuelanPDVSA, and reopened on a limited scale.[11] In 2017, the PDVSA was hit by punitive sanctions of the United States Government,[12] and attempts have been made to seize the refinery.[11]
On 30 May 1969, theCuraçao uprising, a strike at a subcontractor of the oil refinery, turned into a riot. The riot resulted in two deaths, 300 arrests and a part of the historic centre being burnt down. TheNetherlands Marine Corps was sent to Willemstad and the entire city centre was closed down.[13] In 1997, the centre of Willemstad and its former suburbs were designated aUNESCOWorld Heritage Site.[14] In the 21st century, a largescale program of renovation started.[15][16]
Tourism is a major industry and the city has several casinos. The city centre of Willemstad has an array of colonial architecture that is influenced by Dutch styles. Archaeological research has also been developed there.[18] The city is also home to several beaches likeBaya Beach.[19]
Owing to its location near theVenezuelan oilfields, its political stability and its natural deep water harbour, Willemstad became the site of an importantseaport and refinery. Willemstad's harbour is one of the largest oil handling ports in the Caribbean. The refinery, at one point the largest in the world, was originally built and owned byRoyal Dutch Shell in 1915.[20]
The four companies comprising the Royal Dutch Shell[21] refining operation; the actual refinery, oil bunkering, the tugboat company (KTK) and the local distribution of refined products (CurOli/Gas) were each sold to the government of Curaçao in 1985[22] for the symbolic sum of oneguilder per company, or a total of 4 guilders[23] and is now leased toPDVSA, the state ownedVenezuelan oil company.Schlumberger, the world's largest oil field services company is incorporated in Willemstad.[24]
Isla Oil Refinery in Port of Willemstad photographed fromFort Nassau
Noted tennis doubles playerJean-Julien Rojer was born in Willemstad.
Enith Brigitha, a bronze medalist swimmer who represented the Netherlands in the Summer Olympics was born in Willemsted. She was also the first black athlete to win a swimming medal at the Olympics.
In 1985, Willemstad hosted theCuraçao Grand Prix forFormula 3000. The race was won by Danish racing driverJohn Nielsen. Pabao Little League has appeared in nineLittle League World Series, winning in2004. They were crowned the International Champions in2005,2019,2022, and2023. In 2008, another Pabao Little League team won theJunior League World Series, after winning the Latin America Region, then defeating the Asia-Pacific Region and Mexico Region champions to become the International champion, and finally defeating the U.S. champion (West Region), Hilo American/National LL (Hilo, Hawaii), 5–2.
Willemstad is served byCuraçao International Airport, located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) north of the city, which is annually used by about two million passengers.
Punda and Otrobanda are connected byQueen Emma Bridge, a longpontoon bridge. Although it is still in use, these days most road traffic now uses theQueen Juliana Bridge built in 1967 (rebuilt 1974) which arches high over the bay further inland. Nearby is also the now non-functioning Queen Wilhelmina drawbridge.
^Op 23 september van dat jaar deed Shell, na maandenlange onderhandelingen met de Antilliaanse en Nederlandse regeringen, de raffinaderij aan de Buscabaai alsmede de tankopslag, het sleepbootbedrijf en de lokale verkoopmaatschappij voor een gulden per bedrijf, dus in totaal vier gulden, 'met alle lusten en lasten' over aan de Nederlandse Antillen en Curaçao.nrc.ln/nieuws
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