Netherlands Antilles
Tera di Solo y suave Biento (1964-2000) Folk song zonder titel (2000-2010)
The Netherlands Antilles were a Dutch overseas territory that belonged geographically to the archipelago of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. Until its dissolution on 10 October 2010 they formed a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the (European) Netherlands and Aruba, which also was part of the Netherlands Antilles until the end of 1985.
Following the reorganization of the political situation, Curaçao and St. Maarten autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, comparable to Aruba. The islands of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius are Special municipalities of the Netherlands, but none belong to the province.
Geography
The Netherlands Antilles consisted of six, from 1986 five inhabited Caribbean islands as well as some smaller, uninhabited islands with a total area of 980 km ²:
- Parts of the Leeward Islands: Aruba (until 1985 )
- Curaçao (along with Klein Curaçao )
- Bonaire ( together with Klein Bonaire )
- Saba (plus Iceland Green )
- Sint Eustatius (local name: Statia ) (together Guana Key, Hen & Chickens, Cow & Calff, Molly Beday and Pelican Key )
- St. Martin ( Only the Dutch Sint Maarten southern part, the northern part is as Saint -Martin, a French COM, see List of divided islands )
The approximately 230,000 inhabitants were about 85 % African descent. On Sint Maarten, the number of foreigners reached 49%, ie every second had here other than the Dutch nationality.
History
1954 the Netherlands Antilles was granted full autonomy with respect to internal affairs. For foreign policy and defense, the Kingdom of the Netherlands was still responsible.
Until 31 December 1985, the island of Aruba was also part of the territory of the Netherlands Antilles.
Policy
The administration of the Netherlands Antilles consisted of a government and the Staten, to Parliament. The governor took the head of state of the Kingdom, Queen Beatrix, and was formally Head of Government. However, the political responsibility lay with the Prime Minister and the Ministers. The last prime minister was Emily de Jongh - Elhage. The Staten of the Netherlands Antilles counted 22 seats, according to a fixed formula on the islands distributed: 14 for Curaçao, Sint Maarten for 3, 3 for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and one seat for one of Saba. Government coalitions were formed usually from the parties of the different islands.
The Netherlands Antilles were not part of the European Union, but had a privileged relationship with the status of overseas countries and territories (see: territory of the European Union).
Since early 2006, the islands were reason for foreign policy differences between Venezuela and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez claimed that the Netherlands would the United States allow the establishment of military bases, which should be used for a planned invasion of Venezuela. On 23 May 2006, an international military exercise began (Joint Caribbean Lion 2006) with the participation of the U.S. Navy.
Reform of the links in the Kingdom
In the early 1990s began a discussion on the political future of the Netherlands Antilles. Some politicians in Curaçao and Sint Maarten, among these also members of the then West Indies government, advocated autonomy ( Status distinctive ) for their islands along the lines of Aruba. In referenda on the various islands in 1993 and 1994, the majority of the voters spoke, however, of the continued existence of " restructured " the Netherlands Antilles. On Curaçao, for example, then 73.6 % voted to remain in the federation of the Netherlands Antilles, 17.9% for autonomy, 8% for inclusion in the Netherlands ( as a province or municipality) and only 0.5 % for complete independence. On the other islands, the result was similar, only on Sint Maarten was a large minority of 32 % for autonomy. The government stepped back then.
After the population Sint Maartens uttered in a new referendum in June 2000 with 69 % for autonomy, talks about the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles as a political entity began again. A special advisory committee of politicians and experts advised the Dutch government in 2004, the resolution of the country the Netherlands Antilles, the formation of two new countries Curaçao and Sint Maarten within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the inclusion of the remaining islands of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius in the Netherlands. Add new referendums on the islands (outside Sint Maarten ), the population in 2004 and 2005 confirmed the Committee's recommendations, only on Sint Eustatius, a majority continue for the survival of the Netherlands Antilles. The end of 2005 reached the islands accordance with the Dutch government on the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2008. On October 11, 2006 Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius came to an agreement with the Netherlands about their future legal status as " special municipalities " of the Netherlands.
According to a December 15, 2008 taken at Curacao Decision, the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved on October 10, 2010 as a political entity.
Languages
Dutch and Papiamentu were the two official languages of the Netherlands Antilles. In the Windward Islands (St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius ) English was the lingua franca of the Leeward Islands (Bonaire, Curaçao) was Papiamentu the lingua franca and the second official language. The instruction in the schools was in elementary school either in English or Dutch ( St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius ) and Papiamentu or Dutch ( Bonaire, Curacao ) instead. From the middle school ( 5th grade ) took classes take only in Dutch, because the final exam in Dutch, and the same test as in the Netherlands was. The more higher education took place in the Netherlands. From the school year 2008/ 09, the instruction was not given in Papiamentu in Curaçao, as too many shortcomings have come to light ( eg, there were only Dutch-language textbooks). The Catholic Education Association therefore decided to teach from the school year 2008 /09 from the first class in Dutch. This also corresponded to the wishes of the majority of the population. For years, the applications were tens of times higher for Dutch-speaking schools, as places were available. The final examinations were asked in Dutch.
All public filings, and laws were written in Dutch. The literature of the islands of the former Netherlands Antilles was written primarily in Dutch and Papiamentu, only a small part in English and Spanish. The following table gives an overview of the language, like many native speakers.
Infrastructure
The power grid of the former Netherlands Antilles has 110 volts and 60 hertz.
Mention should be made of the St. Maarten airport, Princess Juliana Airport, its location attracts many onlookers and excited. The landing leads in most cases to just before placing the machine on the water. Immediately prior to the runway, there is a beach that is often visited by sightseers and others interested, despite or perhaps because of the considerable Lärmes and the sometimes violent gusts caused by the aircraft. The planes fly the runway on the beach partially in only about 20 meters.
Economy
In addition to tourism, which was the main source of income of the islands, the islands served as the center of numerous banks. In addition, there were also smaller oil refineries.