Spaanse Water

Spaanse Water is a town on the island of Curaçao. It contains the tourist resort Nieuwpoort,^[4] the village of Santa Barbara,^[1] and the Tafelberg.^[5] Spaanse Water is a natural harbour and lagoon located to the east of Willemstad. The lagoon contains several bays and little islands.^[6]

Spaanse Water
Spaanse Water
Spaanse Water Location in Curaçao
Coordinates: 12.0673°N 68.8501°W / 12.0673; -68.8501
State	Kingdom of the Netherlands
Country	Curaçao
District	Bandariba[1]
Area [2]
• Total	20.98 km2 (8.10 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[3]
• Total	3,119
• Density	150/km2 (390/sq mi)

History

Fort Beekenburg (2010)

Spaanse Water was a strategically important location. In 1703, Fort Beekenburg was constructed on the Caracas Bay to protect the natural harbour and the back route to Willemstad.^[7] The fort was built by Nicolaas van Beek who at the time served as Director of Curaçao.^[8] It has been attacked several times by the French, English, and pirates, but has never been conquered.^[9] The fort used to be owned by Royal Dutch Shell, but since 2005, it is publicly accessible.^[7]

Oil terminal in Spaanse Water with Tafelberg in the background

Santa Barbara is a plantation founded in 1662, and was one of the oldest and largest plantations on the island. It was not very profitable,^[10] and sold in January 1875. The plantation was subsequently resold to John Godden in May 1875 who started a large scale phosphate mine on the terrain.^[11] In 1915, a calcium mine was added to the site.^[5] The mines are still active, and the mining company has estimated that the reserves will last until 2045.^[12] In 1927, Royal Dutch Shell built an oil terminal in Spaanse Water. The oil terminal closed in 2005.^[9]

In the late 20th century, Spaanse Water developed into a tourist location. The resorts Nieuwpoort,^[4] Jan Thiel, and Santa Barbara Beach & Golf were established for the tourists.^[13]