Westpunt

Westpunt is the name of the westernmost point of the island of Curaçao, a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean. A flag marks the most westerly point of the island off Cliff Villa Peninsula one kilometre north of the town of Sabana Westpunt.

Westpunt
A pelican on Westpunt Beach
A pelican on Westpunt Beach
Westpunt is located in Curaçao
Westpunt
Westpunt
Location in Curaçao
Coordinates: 12°22′N 069°10′W
StateKingdom of the Netherlands
CountryCuraçao
DistrictBandabou
Area
[1]
 • Total13.72 km2 (5.30 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total738
 • Density54/km2 (140/sq mi)
ClimateBSh

History

Westpunt first appeared on maps of the Dutch West Indies Company around 1700. In 1849, land was donated to the Catholic Church by plantation Savonet to build a church and school.[3] The church was finished in 1853.[4]

A village appeared around the church in the 1860s inhabited by newly freed slaves following the abolition of slavery in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.[5] Near the town is Estate Kenepa, named after the fruits of the Kenepatree. It was once one of the most prosperous plantations on the island. It produced divi-divi seed-pots and sheepwool. The colonial home is an important monument in the history of Curaçao. It was here that on 17 August 1795 a number of slaves, led by Tula, lead the Curaçao Slave Revolt of 1795.[6]

Westpunt remained isolated for most of its history due to the 35 kilometres (22 mi) distance to Willemstad.[7] The population density is low, and the number of inhabitants has been steadily decreasing.[1] The per-capita income of Westpunt is significantly below average.[8] The village is dependent on neighbouring Barber for supplies. In 2002, the elementary school closed. Tourist resorts and holiday homes have appeared near the coast.[9]

Overview
Fisherman in Westpunt

Westpunt is home to some of the island's most beautiful coral sand beaches including Playa Kalki, Playa Forti, Playa Gipy, Grote Knip and Kleine Knip.[5] North of Playa Forti is Playa Grandi which is the sales centre for the local fishing community. The daily catch includes Barracuda, Mahi Mahi, Blacktail Tuna, Yellowtail Tuna, Red Snapper, Queen Snapper, Wahoo, Sailfish, Amberjack, Bluejack, Black Grouper, Lobster, Octopus, and Lion Fish.

The area is known for world class scuba diving, and is home to several shore and boat dive sites including a submerged air plane wreck and beautiful reefs.[10] Most of tourist accommodation in Westpunt caters to scuba divers and offers excellent infrastructure. A dive center in Playa Kalki is available.

Westpunt is famous for the two currents that meet in-front of Cliff Villa Peninsula stirring up the nutrients in the water making it the premium diving location on the island. The dive area is called Watamula which is a corruption of the Dutch word for “water mill”.[11]

In the northernmost point of Westpunt two kilometres in the north-eastern side of Watamula are the famous large seawater blow holes carved by the tide into the coral rock.[12]

References
  1. Buurtprofiel Westpunt 2011, p. 12.
  2. "Census 2011". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  3. Buurtprofiel Westpunt 2011, p. 8.
  4. Buurtprofiel Westpunt 2011, p. 9.
  5. "Westpunt". Casa Cama (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  6. "De slaven Opstand van 1795". Knipselkrant Curaçao (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  7. Buurtprofiel Westpunt 2011, p. 11.
  8. Buurtprofiel Westpunt 2011, p. 17.
  9. Buurtprofiel Westpunt 2011, p. 29.
  10. "Westpunt". Curacao Underwater. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  11. "Watamula". Curaçao. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  12. "De Adem van Curaçao". Reishonger (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 February 2022.

Bibliography
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