along with Aruba and Bonaire. It's in the leeward chain of the Netherlands Antilles, the windward being St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Maarten. The island was formerly known as Curacao, but people kept confusing it with a liquor. It should be noted that in the early 1980's Aruba sought independence from the other five islands and began self government. Right afterwards the oil refineries were closed because Venezuela (less than 100 miles away) increased its refining capacity. There went the major source of revenue for Aruba, which now relies on tourism. Bonaire is still the Diver Paradise of the Caribbean, with 100% of the water surrounding it a national park, from the high water point on land to a depth of 300 feet. No one is allowed to drop and anchor, and dive boats must moor to permanent buoys. No souvenirs or fishing in the protected zone.