Curaçao, the neighboring Bonaire and three other islands in the eastern Caribbean (St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba), together form the Netherlands Antilles-an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Locals have Dutch nationality and carry European Union passports.

Willemstad is the capital of Curaçao and the Netherlands Antilles as well. It is also home to the government (the parliament).

Curaçao is part of The Netherlands Antilles, which in turn forms part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. The form of government is a parliamentary democracy, based on underlying premises as freedom of association, the right to form political parties, freedom of the press and freedom of speech.

The Netherlands Antilles has two levels of government-a central (federal) and an insular (territorial) level.

The Central Government's jurisdiction covers mostly state affairs (legislation) and includes police, communications, taxation, public health, education, economic control, the establishment of enterprises, labor legislation, money and banking, and foreign currency.

The Island Government is responsible for the island territory affairs; it manages its own territorial affairs and has the power to enact laws. The island government is responsible for the infrastructure, harbors, etc.