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The Neighborhood

Willemstad, capital and chief town of Curaçao, located on the southern coast of the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean Sea. It is divided into two halves, Punda and Otrabanda ("Other Side"). The two are connected by the famous Koningin Emma ("Queen Emma") Bridge; opened in 1888 and rebuilt in 1939, the bridge underwent a major restoration in the early 21st century. A fixed bridge was completed in 1974. Willemstad is a Caribbean centre of trade, petroleum storage and refining, tourism, and banking. The town has many Dutch-style gabled houses. Notable buildings include Fort Amsterdam (1635), which once guarded the entrance to Schottegat Harbour and is now the seat of government and definitely worth a visit. Other, icon landmarks are the Dutch Reformed Church (1769) and the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (1732), the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. We also advise guest to visit Museum Kurá Hulanda, which chronicles the history of African empires, the slave trade, and the experiences of Africans in the Western Hemisphere. The Curaçao Museum, which features traditional and contemporary art, is the island's oldest museum. In 1997 the inner city and harbour of Willemstad were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.