CURA, or CIUDAD DE CURA. A city of Venezuela. formerly capital of the State of :Miranda. situated near Lake Valencia, 1600 feet above sea-level (Map: Venezuela, D 2). Owing to its position near the Banos of the Guarico, it has considerable trade as the centre of a cotton growing, agricultural, and stock-raising region.
Cura, founded in 1730, suffered considerably in the War of Independence. In 1900 it was visited by a destructive earthquake. Population, in 1889, 12,198.
CURAcAO, ktWrit•sii'?) or k'rft-so'. One Of the Dutch West India islands lying in the south ern part of the Caribbean Sea (Map: West In dies, N 8). It is situated about 41 miles north of Venezuela, in latitude IV N. and longitude 69° \V., and covers an area of 210 square miles. its surface is generally flat, with the exception of the southwestern part, where sonic of the elevations reach about 1200 feet. The lowlands are mostly of coral formation, and the coasts are bordered with a number of lagoons. Streams are few, and the rainfall light. Sugar, tobacco, corn, and fruits are raised, but a considerable part of the island is uncut flyable on account of the lack of water. The principal minerals worked are salt and phos phate. The commerce of Curacao is chiefly with the adjacent islands and the United States, which sends the larger part of the imports. No figures for the exports of the island are obtain able, as there are no export duties in Curacao, but the imports for 1899 were valued at over $770.
000. The island of Curacao, together with the adjacent Dutch islands of Buen Ayre, Oruba, a part of Saint Martin, Saint Eustache, and Saba, form a separate colony officially called Curacao, admini.tered by a governor, assisted by a council of four members and a colonial council of eight members. The smaller islands are administered by subordinate officials. The members of both councils, as well as the minor officials, are nomi nated by the sovereign. The population of Cura cao in 1899 was 30,119 and that of the colony, 51.693. The capital of the colony of Curacao is Willemstad, on Curacao, a well-built town with a good harbor. Cu ra ca o was occupied by the Spanish in 1527 and fell into the hands of the Dutch in 1634. After a period of eight years under English rule the island was returned to the Dutch in 1815. There is a United States Con sul on the island. 'Consult Dissel, Curacao (Ley den, 1857).
CURAcAO, (so called from the peel of the Curacao orange). A well-known and palatable liqueur, made from orange-peel by digesting in sweetened spirits. with certain spices, as cinnamon, mace. or cloves. See LI