Country Guide

The Netherlands Antilles consist of two distinct groups which are, politically, an integral part of the Netherlands.

Close to the coast of Venezuela in 12° to 13°N, the three islands of Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire have a total land area of about 940 sq km/360 sq mi. Another group of three very small islands with an area of 68 sq km/26 sq mi lies east of Puerto Rico in 18°N.

The larger southern islands have a rather dry climate for this latitude and the climatic conditions throughout the year are represented by the table for Willemstad on the island of Curaçao.

The islands share this relative aridity with the narrow coastal strip of northern Venezuela described. Temperature and humidity in both groups of islands are typical of the Caribbean area. The northern group of tiny islands has similar weather throughout the year to that described for the Leeward Islands.