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THE ABC ISLANDS (map) Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are three Dutch islands with kind people, where you’ll see pink flamingos, and swim and dive in their excellent beaches of the Caribbean Facing the Venezuelan coast, are Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, also known as the ABC islands. Except Aruba, that achieved self-government in 1986, they are part of the Dutch Antilles, a territory extending also to the islands of Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten, at the southeast of Puerto Rico, in the upper part of the arc formed by the Little Antilles of the East Caribbean. The ABC islands have some autonomy from the Dutch Government, handling only security and foreign policy. Bonaire and Curacao have a Governor named by the Dutch crown, while Aruba is an independent territory within this country. The official language is Dutch, though in this part of the Caribbean, is very common the use of papiamento, a curious mixture of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, English, French, and many African dialects, which shows the great number of countries, that have contributed to mold the culture and traditions of these islands along history. Other languages spoken here are English and Spanish. Geographically, the islands have some resemblance between them, with a waving landscape, formed by little arid hills, contrasting with the blue waters of the Caribbean. But here resemblance ends, because each island will provide visitors a unique experience. If what you like are water sports, dancing halls, crowded discos, casinos, shopping or luxurious hotels, then Aruba and Curacao are your islands. Bonaire offers visitors peace and calm, with their pink flamingos flocks, marine parks and excellent places to practice diving.
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