Netherlands Antilles

 

The autonomous territory with the islands of Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, Saba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

 

Language.

Dutch, English, Papiamento (Creole).

 

Time.

The time difference between Moscow and Willemstad is 7 hours.

 

 

Population.

227,049 people (2009).

Ethnic composition: mestizos, blacks, descendants of immigrants from Europe, immigrants from the Middle East and East Asia.

 

Religion.

The inhabitants profess Catholicism, Protestantism, there are followers of Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, in some regions there are followers of ancient animistic cults.

Climate.

Tropical. In summer, from June to September, the air temperature is + 27 C, and in winter, from December to February + 25 C. Precipitation: 220 mm - 1000 mm.

The humidity of the air is about 80%.

 

Currency.

Dutch Antilles guilder.

Visa regime.

For entry, a visa is issued at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Moscow or St. Petersburg.

Customs regulations.

Local and foreign currency is imported and exported unrestrictedly.

It is forbidden to import leather goods from Haiti, weapons and explosives, drugs, silver coins.

Artifacts of historical and artistic value, especially those recovered from the seabed, cannot be exported.

Resorts.

The islands are a popular and popular resort in the Caribbean Sea, with excellent conditions for recreation and developed infrastructure.

In Willemstad, the administrative center of the islands, you can visit the Maritime, Postal and Numismatic Museum, see examples of colonial architecture - Villa Landhus Papaya and Landhus Brevengat, admire the bridges of Queen Julian Bridge, Charloux, Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge.

Thanks to the comfortable climate, travelers have the opportunity to relax all year round. On the beaches you can sunbathe and do water sports: diving, snorkeling, yachting, kayaking.

On the islands are open to visit the marine reserves of Saba and Bonaire with coral reefs and a rich world of marine life. Washington Slagbai is a national nature park, home to dozens of bird species and hundreds of plant species. For example, admire pink flamingos and see thickets of tall cacti.

 

Kitchen.

In island cuisine, European motifs are combined with Creole originality. The main characters of the island cuisine are seafood, fish, greens, vegetables.

Exotic fish dishes are obtained according to the following recipes: "sopi-di-piska" - with coconut milk, "sopi-kami-piska" - with bananas; baked on coals cactus fruits with shells; fried snapper, barracuda, wahoo.

Meat dishes: broths with pork and cacti; broth with iguana; fried lamb and goat; miniature pasteshis pies with various fillers; "kalalu" - traditional regional vegetable soup with colocasia leaves; steaks with lemon juice.

As a side dish - dishes of peas, rice, pumpkin, potatoes, sauces - with onions and peppers,

Popular desserts: potato and coconut muffin, tortillas, candied fruit, coconut pulp with sugar, ice cream with nuts, buns and cakes.

On the islands you can buy any alcohol that is imported from different countries or produced here: beer "Balashi", "Heineken", "Amstel" and rum "Saba Spice" with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg.

Traditions.

The multicultural culture of the islands blends African, European and Creole traditions. More than a hundred nationalities live on the islands with their own customs and habits.

There are strong ties between members of the same family, respect and acceptance of each other. The life of people was strongly influenced by the era of slavery, created conditions under which only strong people of mind and body could survive, and on some islands there was practically no slavery (Saba).

This feature affects the language, which is influenced by Dutch, English, Spanish, French. Multinationality is felt in culture: music, fine arts, dance traditions, when such different African, European, Indian motifs are brought together. Local music is rhythmic, a special mood is set by clapping hands and beating the beat with the foot. The local painting is distinguished by eclecticism, brightness and unusual color.

The islanders have a developed sense of self-esteem and tact, they will never ask inappropriate questions.

Local residents are friendly and friendly, but you need to keep in mind their special slowness in business.

The attitude to clothes on the islands is democratic, but it is not recommended to go to official institutions in bathing suits. It is also better not to wear revealing dresses and camouflage clothing. Foreigners in a restaurant or at official events in the city center should wear long dresses and skirts (for ladies) and pants with shirts (for men).