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Bonaire
Bon Bini na Bonaire! Welcome to Bonaire! This secret hideaway is a Caribbean gem with a tiny population covering just 5% of its land, so the rest is wild, secluded, and perfect for letting go of stress and the trappings of hustled modern life. Bonaire derives its name from the language of its indigenous people, the Caiquetio, descendants of the Arawak Indians who came from Venezuela around 1000AD. It comes from the word "Bonay", meaning "low country", and its untarnished land is, indeed, relatively flat. But don't equate "flat" with boring, as Bonaire is the most interesting island in the Dutch Antilles.
Its culture is a vivacious mix of Dutch, African, Spanish, and Portuguese people, all of whom have contributed to the music, food, and architecture of this small community. The Spanish were the first Europeans to notice the island, claiming it in 1499. Ownership changed hands many times until 1816 when it was cededto the Dutch in the Treaty of Paris. Though it remains a Dutch Protectorate, it gained self-rule in 1954. Its complex history entwines several diverse cultures, spanning more than a thousand years, that live on in the daily lives of its people, the delicious cuisine, and colorful festivals. The island is a leader of environmental conservation, setting aside more than 20% of its land and 100% of its waters as protected nature preserves.
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