THIS little-known Caribbean island is less than 2km in size but it has a fascinating history which spans centuries.
Klein Curaçao is the barren and uninhabited Dutch Caribbean island dotted with shipwrecks and haunted by a legacy of slavery.
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The spooky isle in the Lesser Antilles belongs to Curaçao – a much larger tropical bliss and both are governed by the Netherlands.
Klein Curaçao, also known as Little Curacao, lies just 15 miles south-east to up-and-coming tourist hotspot Curaçao.
Its chequered past includes the Dutch West India Company using the tiny isle to quarantine slaves in the 1600s.
Slaves who had gotten sick on the arduous journey from Africa to final destination Curaçao were held on the smaller island.
Some of the captured became so unwell they died on the island, which measures just half a square mile.
A small number of these graves are visible on the south of Klein Curaçao, serving as a constant visual reminder of its dark history.
One of its several shipwrecks was that of a high-end French yacht.
But its most famous shipwreck is the Maria Bianca Guidesman.
The oil tanker ran aground in the 1980’s and could not be recoverd.
Its location makes it prone to hurricanes which have been credited as ruining the isle’s lighthouse on two occasions.
The tower was built in the island’s centre in 1850 and had to be rebuilt twice.
Klein Curaçao used to be leafy and green but wildly roaming goats in the 17th century chewed up any vegetation – leaving behind a bleak terrain surrounding a bright blue sea.
Englishman John Godden triggered a mining process that would strip its soils from minerals for years to come, News.com.au reports.
Tourists will often visit Little Curacao for the day but there is no onshore infrastructure bar a sprinkling of huts and the lighthouse.
It boasts spectacular reefs and underwater caves, attracting snorkelers and divers.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office says: “Criminals continue to use the islands of the Dutch Caribbean to smuggle illegal drugs from South America to Europe and North America.
“Because of this problem, never leave luggage unattended when departing the country.
“Do not discuss or agree to carry a package for anyone. You may be asked to have a body scan at some airports. #
“Dutch authorities generally screen all baggage and passengers from the Dutch Caribbean.”
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