Bandariba
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Bandariba | |
|---|---|
.jpeg) Aerial view of Santa Barbara | |
  Bandariba | |
| Coordinates: 12°05′36″N 68°49′54″W / 12.0932°N 68.8317°W | |
| State | Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| Country | Curaçao |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 20,838 |
| Climate | BSh |
Bandariba (also: Banda'riba) is a district of the island of Curaçao. It is one of the three districts and encompasses the south-eastern part of the island.[2] The name is Papiamentu and translates to "upside".[3] The district contains the towns and villages of Santa Rosa,[4] Spaanse Water,[5]: 6 Montaña,[6] Seru Grandi,[7] and Oostpunt.[3]
In 1634, Curaçao was conquered by the Dutch West Indies Company, and the city of Punda was founded. In order to feed the population, plantations were established on the island.[8] The plantations were small-scale due to the infertile ground and produced yams, mangos, oranges, or raised livestock.[9] Bandariba later attracted free and freed slaves who settled in the vacant land.[10]
In the 19th century, the Roman Catholic church founded the villages of Santa Rose and Montaña in order to educate and convert the former slave population.[5]: 6 In 1875, a large-scale phosphate mine was opened near the Tafelberg,[11] In 1927, Royal Dutch Shell built an oil terminal at Spaanse Water.[12]
_de_Jonge_(Fotograaf).jpg)
The current division of the island dates from 1930 when Willemstad was extended to include most of the suburbs.[13] During the late 20th century, tourism became important and Bandariba saw the development of tourist resorts.[14]
The village of Oostpunt, the most eastern point of the island, is private property of the Maal family,[3] and most of the 54 square kilometres (21 sq mi)[15] area surrounding the villages of Oostpunt, Sint Joris, and Santa Catharina[16] is off limits.[17] The village of Oostpunt is only inhabited by Willy Maal and his mother.[18] Oostpunt covers about 10% of the island.[16]
