🇦🇳 Netherlands Antilles

The former Netherlands Antilles (former ISO code: AN) were located in the southern Caribbean and consisted of several islands off the coast of Venezuela, including Curaçao, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba, and Sint Maarten. Politically, it was an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of the Netherlands until 2010, after which the islands were divided: Curaçao (ISO code: CW) and Sint Maarten (ISO code: SX) received the status of autonomous countries, while Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (ISO code: BQ) are part of the Netherlands as special municipalities. The climate is tropical with low seasonal temperature fluctuations, high humidity, and a rainy season from October to December. Economically, tourism, financial services, trade, and oil refineries are of central importance. In foreign trade, exports of petroleum products, fish, and agricultural goods dominate, while food, machinery, consumer goods, and fuel are imported. The logistical significance lies primarily in the ports of Willemstad and Kralendijk as regional transshipment points. Transit functions exist primarily for Caribbean trade and as hubs between South America and North America. The national currency is the Antillean Guilder (ANG) on the autonomous islands, while the US dollar is used on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. The strategic location of the islands makes them important nodes in Caribbean maritime traffic.