Bonaire is one of the islands of the Netherlands Antilles - the others are Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten. Bonaire and Curacao form the Leeward Islands group of the Netherlands Antilles - located approximately 30 miles off the north west coast of Venezuela. Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten are in the Dutch Windward Islands group located about 100 miles east of Puerto Rico and about 500 miles north east of the Leeward Group.
The Netherlands Antilles is a parliamentary democracy, with a legal system based on Dutch law. The highest authority in Kingdom affairs, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is represented in the Netherlands Antilles by a Crown appointed Governor and on each island by a Lieutenant Governor. The population of the Netherland Antilles is 183,700 with the capital Willemstad in Curacao. The official language is Dutch. The currency is Netherlands Antillean Guilders and the exchange rate is USD$1.00 = ANG$1.79.
Tourism, petroleum transshipment and oil refinement – on Curacao, as well as offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy. The islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure as compared with other countries in the region. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with Venezuela, the United States and Mexico being the major suppliers, as well as the Dutch government which supports the islands with substantial development aid.
The Central Bank reported that the economy of the Netherland Antilles became somewhat stronger during 2006, backed by positive developments in the private and public sectors, led by construction, wholesale and retail and financial services sectors. With the extension of two airports and several hotel projects, it is anticipated that this will further boost construction activity.
Bonaire is 288 sq. Km and the islands of the Netherlands Antilles all enjoy a mild tropical climate throughout the year. Bonaire’s population is 14,821 with an adult literacy rate of 94.7%.
Kralendijk, the main seaport on Bonaire, has an efficient oil transport facility which includes cruise liner facilities. The Flamingo International Airport has been extended to accommodate more jet traffic which makes ancillary businesses at the airport property interesting for both local and foreign investors.
The Netherland Antilles is to be disbanded on October 10, 2010 which would make the islands special municipalities and 1 billion guilders will be made available for debt relief, social development and poverty reduction.
