Westpunt

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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 / 12.367°N 69.167°W / 12.367; -69.167Coordinates: 12°22′N 069°10′W / 12.367°N 69.167°W / 12.367; -69.167
StateKingdom of the Netherlands
CountryCuraçao
DistrictBandabou
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total738
ClimateBSh

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 was founded in the 1860s by newly freed slaves following the abolition of slavery in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.[2] Near the city is Land House 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.[3]

Westpunt is host to some of the island's most beautiful coral sand beaches including Playa Kalki, Playa Forti, Playa Gipy, Grote Knip and Kleine Knip.[2] North of Playa Forti is Playa Grandi which is the sales center 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.

Fisherman in Westpunt

The area is known for world class scuba diving, and is home to several shore and boat dive sites including a submerged airplane wreck and beautiful reefs.[4] 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”.[5]

In the northernmost point of Westpunt two kilometres in the northeast side of Watamula are the famous large seawater blowholes carved by the tide into the coral rock.

References[]

  1. ^ "Census 2011". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Westpunt". Casa Cama (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  3. ^ "De slaven Opstand van 1795". Knipselkrant Curaçao (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  4. ^ http://curacaounderwater.com/dive-sites/west/45-westpunt
  5. ^ "Watamula". Curaçao. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
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