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Geography and Environment of Curacao
Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Curacao.
Overview
Curacao is the largest of the "ABC" islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) which lie just off the coast of Venezuela. Curacao is 38 miles long, 7 miles wide at its widest point, and 2-1/2 miles wide at its narrowest point. Sint Christoffelberg, at 1,260 feet on the western end of the island and Tafelberg, at about 600 feet near the eastern end are the most prominent geographical features. Tafelberg has provided limestone for the construction industry for several years and now resembles a stepped mesa. Numerous small and large bays indent the island's southern coast. The largest of these, which comprises the inner harbor known as the Schottegat, is surrounded by the city of Willemstad.
Detailed geography
Physical Features
- Terrain
- generally hilly, volcanic interiors
- Climate
- Curacao and the other ABC islands are hot year round. Temperatures seldom exceed 90°F during the day or fall below 80°F at night. Relative humidity averages 70% annually and seldom varies far from that average. The effect of the heat and the humidity, however, is lessened by the almost constant northeast trade winds. The ocean temperature averages 80°F and only varies a few degrees between summer and winter. Rainfall averages only 22 inches annually, most of which falls during the months of November and December, and the islands are below the hurricane belt so that particular danger is absent. Drought-resistant plants, such as cactus, thorn trees and succulents predominate. August, September and October are the warmest months; December, January and February are the coolest.
- Highest Point
- 862 — Mount Scenery 862 m
- Lowest Point
- Caribbean Sea 0 m
Borders and Area
- Area (Comparative)
- more than five times the size of Washington, DC
- Border Countries
- Guadeloupe (Saint Martin) 10.2 km
Natural Resources and Hazards
- Natural Resources
- Petroleum refining, tourism, and international financial services are the foundation of Curaçao's economy, with the island also possessing modest natural resources. Historically, phosphate deposits played a role in the island's early economic development, though large-scale extraction is no longer a significant activity. Salt harvesting has traditionally been associated with the broader Dutch Caribbean region. Curaçao's deep natural harbor at Willemstad remains one of its most valuable natural assets, supporting oil storage, transshipment, and bunkering operations. The island also benefits from consistent trade winds and ample sunshine, which are increasingly being harnessed for wind and solar energy development as Curaçao works toward greater energy diversification and reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels.
- Natural Hazards
- Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October
Environment and Land Use
- Current Environmental Issues
- NA