Кралендейк is the administrative center of the island of Bonaire (the Netherlands Antilles). Population 3 061 (2006). It is the commercial center of Bonaire and its main port. Seen from the sea, it looks like just a small group of low buildings painted in soft pastel colors; nevertheless, it houses most of the island’s government offices, as well as shops, hotels, restaurants, and bars.
Top sights include Fort Oranje, which now contains the port office, as well as the adjacent stone lighthouse and Museo Boneriano (Bonaire Museum), located just beyond the city limits.
Кралендейк was founded in 1639 to defend the main harbor of Bonaire and was then called Fort Oranje. The city was renamed around 1840 (the city name, translated from Dutch, means “Coral Dam”). Although the town’s population does not exceed 1,500 people, many tourists flock here-not only to swim in the waters of the Caribbean Sea, but also to immerse themselves in the measured, relaxing flow of life of “Old Holland.”
Bonaire is a Caribbean island located 80 km north of the coast of Venezuela. The island is part of the Netherlands Antilles, which also include Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. The main advantages of this miniature island (40 km from north to south and 8 km wide) are its pristine nature and unique underwater world, making Bonaire an ideal travel destination for diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing. Although the island is more geared toward a quiet, laid-back holiday, adventure lovers and fans of an active lifestyle will also find something to their liking here. In addition, Bonaire boasts beautiful sandy beaches, many small cozy hotels, and restaurants to suit every taste.
КлиматThe climate is tropical marine, with only minor temperature fluctuations throughout the year. The rainy season lasts from the end of October to the end of January. As a rule, during this period rain falls late at night or early in the morning, and once the sun rises the sky clears.