History of Curacao

Main

Alonso de Ojeda claims “The Island of the Giants” for Spain

1499

Over 100,000 slaves are traded in Curaçao.

1634 - 1814

The Dutch conquer Curaçao from Spain.

1634

The Dutch Republic is absorbed by France, establishing the Batavian Republic.

1795 - 1806

The British occupy the island.

1807 - 1813

Then they return it as part of the Treaty of Paris

The Netherlands are liberated

1813

The slave trade is abolished in the Netherlands.

1814

Slavery is abolished in the Netherlands

1863

Royal Dutch Shell's Isla refinery is built.

1924

The autonomous entity of the Netherlands Antilles is established.

1954

Aruba becomes a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

1986

The Netherlands Antilles are dissolved.

2010

Curaçao becomes a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands