This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website

Netherlands Antilles

Nederlandse Antillen - dissolved on 10 October 2010

Last modified: 2021-08-25 by rob raeside
Keywords: netherlands antilles | nederlandse antillen | dutch realm | netherlands | antilles |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors



[Netherlands Antilles flag] (2:3) image by Mark Sensen, 9 November 2003


Official Name: Netherlands Antilles (Nederlandse Antillen)
Previous Name: Curaçao and Dependencies
Capital: Willemstad
Location: Caribbean
Government Type: Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with Full Autonomy in Internal Affairs
Flag adopted: 1 January 1986
ISO Code: AN (code transitionally reserved for 50 years)
Dissolved: 10 October 2010



See also:


Flag of the Netherlands Antilles

The postal administration of the Netherlands Antilles issued (30 June 1995) six new stamps with the flags and the coats of arms of the islands. The islands consist out of: Curaçao, Bonaire, St Maarten, Saba and St Eustatius. Only the last islands don't have a flag and coat of arms of their own. St Eustatius uses the flag and coat of arms of the Netherlands Antilles as its national symbols. The Postal Service of the Netherlands Antilles issued the booklet 'Flag Issue 1995 / Vlaggenserie 1995' with full details on the history and use of the national symbols of the islands.
Jos Poels, 4 August 1995

According to Album 2000 [pay00] - Netherlands Antilles - The flag of the Netherlands Antilles is white in proportions 2:3, on the center of the length a red vertical stripe, and on the center of the height a blue horizontal stripe across the red stripe. The width of both stripes is one-third of the flag height. On the center of the blue stripe are five white five pointed stars. The diameter of the imaginary circle inscribing a star is one-fourth of the height of the blue stripe. The colours red, white and blue refer to the Dutch flag, the five stars symbolise the five islands. Adopted by Country-Order of 31 December 1985, coming effective 1 January 1986. The First Flag was adopted by Country-Order of 19 November 1959, and had six stars. One star was dropped because Aruba left in 1986.
The centre of the topmost and bottommost stars are located at two imaginary horizontal lines. The first line at one-sixth of the height of the blue stripe under the upper edge of the blue stripe, the second line at one-sixth of the height of the blue stripe above the lower edge of the blue stripe. The centre of the topmost star is located at the centre of the first imaginary line. The centres of the bottommost stars are located on the second imaginary line at such a way, that an isosceles triangle is formed with the centre of the topmost star, with an angle of 45 degrees at the top. The centre of the leftmost star is located by forming another isosceles triangle with the centre of the topmost star and the centre of the left star at the bottom, again with an angle of 45 degrees at the top. Likewise the centre of the rightmost star is located.
Mark Sensen, 1 and 2 November 2003

Officially lowering the Netherlands Antilles' flag (videos):
http://nos.nl/artikel/190274-101010-ontmanteling-nederlandse-antillen.html
Jan Mertens, 11 October 2010


Construction Sheet

image by Željko Heimer, 5 November 2003


Coat of Arms

image from Ralf Hartemink site


"Habitat" Flags


Habitat Curaçao Seahorse Flag
image from www.habitatdiveresorts.com


Habitat Bonaire Pirate flag
image from www.habitatdiveresorts.com

On www.uitgeverijwvdoever.nl (defunct) was a flag without any explanation, just "Habitat Curaçao - Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles". At www.habitatdiveresorts.com/Curaçao the same flag and an advertisement for a local resort, aiming to keep diving clean. At www.habitatdiveresorts.com the flag is waving, along with a kind of pirate flag, and a bit of info: "Capt. Don Stewart, founder of Habitat, is recognized worldwide as a leader in the movement to protect our underwater environment. Shortly after arriving on Bonaire in May of 1962 he opened the island's very first dive operation. In 1977 he created Capt. Don's Habitat and pioneered the "Diving Freedom" concept which each year continues to further Habitat's reputation for providing fun, safe and innovative dive vacations."
The pirate flag is the flag of Habitat Bonaire.
Jarig Bakker, 10 June 2003

Red background with descending white sword diagonally (common part of both flags) surely makes me think of scuba diving and snorkeling.
António Martins, 12 June 2003


Storm Warning Signals

According to this WMO page the Netherlands Antilles use the well-known US signal set but with local differences.
- 40a (red pierced black): "Gale warning: winds 39 miles an hour (34 kt) and upwards." The only signal used on Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire.] Also used on St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius were it means something else: "Whole gale warning: winds within the range 55 to 73 miles an hour (48 to 63 kt)."
Further St Maarten, Saba, and St Eustatius signal flags:
- 41a (double set of red pierced black): "Hurricane warning: winds 74 miles an hour (64 kt) and upwards."
- 39a (double set of red pennants): "Gale warning: winds within the range 39-54 miles an hour (34-47 kt)."
- 56a (red pennant): "Small craft warning: winds and seas or sea conditions are only dangerous to small craft operations. Winds range up to 38 miles an hour (33 kt)."
I suppose the difference in use is climatologically justified.
Jan Mertens, 16 March 2008