Curacao Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in 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.

Geography - note

Curacao is a part of the Windward Islands (southern) group

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.

Curacao Use of Natural Resources

Curacao Environment

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.

Terrain:

generally hilly, volcanic interiors

Natural Resources:

phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)

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

Environmental Issues:

NA

Curacao Geography

Geographic Location The Caribbean
Total Area 171 Square Miles
444 Square Kilometers
Land Area 171 Square Miles
444 Square Kilometers
Border Countries Guadeloupe (Saint Martin) 10.2 km
Coastline 226 Miles
364 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates 12 10 N, 69 00 W
Terrain generally hilly, volcanic interiors
Highest Point 862 Meters
Highest Point Location Mount Scenery 862 m
Lowest Point Location Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural Resources phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)
Time Zone UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
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