Netherlands Antilles consists of a number of islands. Some of them are the islands of Curacao, Bonaire, “SSS” Islands, etc. It is an autonomous part of the kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba was once part of the Antilles before seceding in 1986. See ten other random facts about Netherlands Antilles that you’ll love to read.
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Population: 227,049 (2009)
Capital: Willemstad
Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder
Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea
System of Government: Constitutional monarchy
Language: Dutch, English, Papiamento
Random Facts About Netherlands Antilles
1. LIMITLESS CURRENCY MOVEMENT
You can take any amount of money to the Antilles. And you can take any amount of money out. The government will not frown at either. You only need to be certain of one thing…that the money is yours.
2. LAND OWNERSHIP
You can own land in one of three ways. These are:
- Regular landed property
- Hereditary or long lease
- Renting of government land
3. STATUS INDICATOR
High social status is displayed through luxury. And there are two basic ways to display such. The ways are:
- Big, elaborate cars
- Opulent, palatial houses
4. LOVE-CHILDREN APLENTY
Marriage is not a prerequisite for having children. For this reason, the practice of having illegitimate children in the Antilles is very common. And most couples prefer to just live together without the commitment of marriage.
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5. GUILDER TO USD
The Antilles’ currency is the Guilder. It has a fixed exchange rate with the USD. It is fixed at 1.79 guilder to 1 USD. However, being “fixed” is only a momentary term.
6. ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE
Same sex marriage not allowed by the laws of the Antilles. But same sex marriage done and brought into the country from another country is recognized. Does that mean Antillean citizens can go out, get same sex marriage and return to the country as a couple? It is not stated.
7. INSURANCE DISCOUNT
Being careful on the road has its advantage in the Antilles. In third party car insurance, if you can present a statement from your previous insurance company that you have never made any claims before, you will enjoy 50% discount!
8. WOMEN LIVE LONGER
Statics available indicate that women live longer than men. Life expectancy for both sexes is as follows:
- Late seventies for women
- Early seventies for men
9. IMBALANCED HABITATION
Population is put at 185,000. And a whopping 150,000 lives on Curacao! That means the remaining 35,000 is spread on all the other islands. Well, the reason for this imbalance is not far fetched. Curacao is the largest, most urbanized of all the islands.
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10. CAR AND DRIVING LICENSE
You can bring in one car duty-free. And that is not all. You can also drive with a driver’s license issued to you from your country provided your country is a signatory of the Geneva Convention.
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