Memorable History
Curacao was discovered in 1499 by the Spanish explorer -- and lieutenant of Columbus – Alfonso de Ojeda. In 1634, long after the Spanish had abandoned Curaçao, the Dutch West Indies Company claimed the island. In 1642, Peter Stuyvesant was installed as governor. He left Curaçao in 1647 to become Governor of New Amsterdam, later to become New York City.
So how did Curacao get its name?
There are different theories for the origins of the word Curaçao (pronounced kyur uh sow). The most likely explanation stems from the Spanish calling the island "Corazon" (Heart) at some point. The famous Portuguese mapmakers adopted this word into their own language as "Curaçau" or "Curaçao." Today, locally, our island is known as "Dushi Korsou" (Sweet Curaçao).
