Flag of Curacao

The flag of Curacao was adopted on July 2, 1984 and consists of a yellow stripe placed just below the center on a blue background and two white five-pointed stars in the upper left corner.

The meaning of the flag of Curacao

• Two white stars of different sizes. The larger star represents Curaçao, and the smaller one represents Klein Curaçao, an uninhabited island of almost 2 square kilometers, which belongs to Curaçao and is part of the Netherlands;
• The five corners of each star represent the 5 continents from which the island's inhabitants come. In total, the island is home to about 50 nationalities, mostly speaking 4 languages: Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamento;
• A wider blue stripe is located on top and a narrower one on the bottom of the yellow line, symbolizing the sky and the sea, respectively;
• The yellow line separating “sky” and “sea” symbolizes the sun.

A brief historical note about the flag of Curaçao

Since the beginning of its colonial period, Curaçao has been under Dutch rule since 1634. During this time, the Dutch flag was used - a tricolor with red, white and blue stripes.

In 1954, Curaçao became part of the autonomous entity of the Netherlands Antilles. During this period, the flag of the Netherlands Antilles became the official flag. It consisted of blue and red stripes on a white background and five white stars symbolizing the five islands of autonomy.

In the early 1980s, Curaçao began to prepare for greater autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 1984, a competition was launched to create a new flag that would reflect Curaçao's unique identity. Among the many proposals submitted, the design that is still in use today was chosen. The new flag was officially approved on July 2, 1984.

On October 10, 2010, the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved and Curaçao became an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This change added even more importance to the national flag, which became a symbol of a new era in the island's history.

Interesting facts about Curacao

• Diving and snorkeling: Curacao is a popular diving destination due to its crystal clear waters and rich coral reefs. "The Blue Room is an underwater cave where you can observe marine life. It is known for its bright blue hue of water, which is formed due to the reflection of light. Curacao is also known for its coral reefs. Popular diving sites are the Coral Garden and Tovhouse;
• Christopher National Park: The largest national park on the island, home to numerous species of flora and fauna, including endemic plants and animals. The summit of Mount Christopher is the highest point on the island (372 meters), offering panoramic views of the entire island and surrounding waters;
• Shete Boca Park: The park is known for its dramatic coastal cliffs, caves and bays. The “Boka Tabla” spot is famous for its powerful waves crashing against the rocks. Here you can observe sea turtles laying eggs on the sandy beaches of the park;
• Curacao Blue Liqueur: The liqueur is made from the dried peels of bitter Laraha oranges, which are a local variety of oranges. The original blue color is achieved by adding blue dye. The liqueur is widely used in cocktails, giving them not only a unique flavor but also a bright color;
• Autonomy: Curacao was granted the status of an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010. This allowed the island to have its own government, parliament and greater independence in internal affairs, while maintaining a connection to the Netherlands;
• Hato International Airport: The airport is the main gateway to the island, providing connections to many countries, including direct flights to the Netherlands, the United States, and other Caribbean countries. It has modern infrastructure and is an important hub for tourism and business;
• Music festival “Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival”.  This festival attracts famous musicians from all over the world and is held annually at the end of August. The festival features stars of jazz, soul, funk and other genres.