What are the different parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands?

The Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (Kingdom of the Netherlands) is made up of 4 countries: Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands. The Netherlands includes 3 public bodies located in the Caribbean region: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.

Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

The Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands comprises:

  • the countries of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten; and

  • the 3 public bodies of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.

Koning Willem-Alexander is the head of state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and of the individual countries that make up the Kingdom.

Cooperation

The Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties (Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations) coordinates the working relationship between:

  • the Netherlands and the other countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten);
  • Government of the Netherlands and the public bodies (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba); 

in the areas of:

  • good governance; 
  • healthy public finances and economic development; 
  • public safety and security.

For the public bodies, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations also coordinates cooperation in the areas of:

  • poverty reduction; and
  • infrastructure.

Caribbean Netherlands

The 3 public bodies Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba are collectively known as the Caribbean Netherlands.

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Vlag Aruba

Capital: Oranjestad
Area: 180 km²
Population: 112,309 (2019)
Population density: 631/km²
Official languages: Dutch and Papiamento
National anthem: Aruba Dushi Tera
Currency: Aruban florin
Special public holidays:

  • 25 January: Betico Day
  • 24 February 2020: Carnival Monday
  • 18 March: National Anthem and Flag Day
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Vlag Curaçao

Capital: Willemstad
Area: 444 km²
Population: 158,665 (2019)
Population density 317/km²
Official languages: Dutch, Papiamento and English
National anthem: Himno di Kòrsou
Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder
Special public holidays:

  • 24 February 2020: Carnival Monday
  • 2 July: National Anthem and Flag Day
  • 10 October: Dia di outonomia
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Vlag Sint Maarten

The northern part of the island is called Saint-Martin and is an overseas collectivity of France.
Capital: Philipsburg
Area: 34 km²
Population: 41,486 (2016)
Population density: 1,220/km²
Official languages: Dutch and English
National anthem: O Sweet Saint Martin’s Land
Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder
Special public holidays:

  • 30 April: Carnival Day
  • 1 July: Emancipation Day
  • 14 October: Constitution Day
  • 11 November: St. Maarten’s Day
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Vlag Bonaire

Capital: Kralendijk
Area: 288 km²
Population: 20,104 (2019)
Population density: 60/km²
Official languages: Dutch and Papiamento
National anthem: Tera di Solo y Suave Biento
Currency: US dollar
Special public holidays:

  • 30 April 2020: Dia di Rincón
  • 6 September: Dia di Boneiru, Dia di Himno i Bandera
  • 15 December: Kingdom Day
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Vlag Sint-Eustatius

Capital: Oranjestad
Area: 21 km²
Population: 3,138 (2019)
Population density 191/km²
Official languages: Dutch and English
National anthem: Golden Rock
Currency: US dollar
Special public holidays:

  • 16 November: Statia Day
  • 15 December: Kingdom Day
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Vlag Saba

Capital: The Bottom
Area: 13 km²
Population: 1,915 (2019)
Population density 152/km²
Official languages: Dutch and English
National anthem: Saba you rise from the ocean
Currency: US dollar
Special public holidays:          

  • 30 April 2020: Dia di Rincón
  • First Friday in December: Saba Day
  • 15 December: Kingdom Day