Curaçao (Concert of Europe)

Curaçao (Papiamento: Kòrsou) is an island territory of the. Together with the neighboring islands of and  (also possessions of the ), it forms the archipelago of the Leeward Antilles, which is located a few miles to the north of the coasts of. Curaçao is actually composed of two island, Curaçao and a small uninhabited island, called "Little Curaçao" (Dutch: Klein Curaçao). The islands were, like most of the Dutch Antilles, acquired by the Netherlands during the 17th century.

The island is characterized by its many hills and valleys. Curaçao, in time, rose to become the main economic, administrative, and cultural centre of the Dutch Antilles: the federation's capital, Willemstad, is also the capital of Curaçao. The island's economy is varied and prosperous, relying on fishing, agriculture, tourism, and some naval industry. The influence of Dutch culture was heavy in Curaçao, and a stroll among the narrow, straight streets of Willemstad may give one the impression of being in a tropical version of.