Steenrijk

Steenrijk
Neighbourhood
Anglican Church in Steenrijk
Steenrijk Location in Curaçao
Coordinates: 12.09788°N 68.91214°W / 12.09788; -68.91214
State	Kingdom of the Netherlands
Country	Curaçao
City	Willemstad
Area [1]
• Total	1.05 km^2 (0.41 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[2]
• Total	3,752
• Density	3,600/km^2 (9,300/sq mi)

Steenrijk is a neighbourhood of Willemstad, Curaçao. It is located about one kilometre south-east of the centre of Willemstad,[3] and has the highest population density of the island.[1]

History

Steenrijk used to be a forested area. In 1791, the Maria Pompoen plantation was established. In 1804, the Steenrijk plantation followed. Both plantations were small scale.[3] Until 1925, the economy was based on subsistence agriculture and fishing.[4] The booming oil and phosphate industry of the early 20th century, resulted in a population increase, and the transformation of Steenrijk into a residential zone.[3]

The Dutch word "steenrijk" translates to "filthy rich", however Steenrijk is a poor neighbourhood[5] with an average income of 22% below the average for Curaçao.[6]

Steenrijk has a large amount of shops, supermarkets, bars, restaurants and hotels.[6] During World War II, a coastal battery was built in Steenrijk to protect the island from U-boats. The ruins of the battery can still be seen,[3] and have been declared a monument.[7]

Notable people

• George Jamaloodin (born 1967), Minister of Finance and convicted criminal.[8]

References

1. Buurtprofiel Steenrijk 2011, p. 12.
2. "Census 2011". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
3. Buurtprofiel Steenrijk 2011, p. 9.
4. Buurtprofiel Steenrijk 2011, p. 10.
5. Louis Cornelisse (16 August 2003). "Vooruit of achteruit? Curaçao weet het nog niet". Trouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 April 2021.
6. Buurtprofiel Steenrijk 2011, p. 17.
7. "Kustbatterij, Steenrijk". Curaçao Monuments. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
8. "George Jamaloodin veroordeeld tot 28 jaar cel". Dutch Caribbean Legal Portal (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 April 2021.

Bibliography

• Buurtprofiel Steenrijk (2011). "Buurtprofiel Steenrijk" (PDF). Government of Curaçao (in Dutch).