Bonaire
 

1635 - 1807, From 27 May 1815

15 Dec 1959 - 15 Dec 1981

Adopted 15 Dec 1981

Map of Bonaire	Hear National Anthem "Wilhelmous van Nassouwe" (William of Nassau)	Hear Local Anthem "Tera di Solo y Suave Biento"  (Land of the Sun & Soft Breeze) ="Himno di Boneiru" /"Volkslied van Bonaire" (Anthem of Bonaire) Adopted 15 Dec 1981	Constitution (1815, 17 Feb 1983)
Capital: Kralendijk (Fort Oranje 1639-1840; Rincon 1501-1639)	Currency: US Dollar (USD); Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG)(1952-1 Jan 2011)	National Holiday: 27 Apr (1967) Koningsdag (King's Day) ---------------------------------- Local Holiday: 6 Sep (1499) Dia di Boneiru/Bonairedag (Bonaire Day)	Population: 26,552 (2025)
GDP: $722 million (2023)	Exports: $9.13 million (2024) Imports: $726 million (2024)	Ethnic groups: Dutch (African descent, European and mixed Afro-European descent) 82%, Latin American 13%, American/Canadian 2%, others 43% (2017)
Total Police Force: 17 (2026) Defense is the Responsibility of The Netherlands Merchant marine: N/A		Religions: Roman Catholic 59.7%, Pentecostal 6.5%, Protestant 2.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.9%, other 7.5%, none 18.7% (2017)
International Organizations/Treaties: ACS (associate), AOSIS (observer), DLU, ITUC, UPU

Bonaire	Chronology 5/6 Sep 1499               Sighted and claimed for Spain by Amerigo                              Vespucci and Alonso de Ojeda, named as Isla                              de Palo Brasil (Dye-wood Island). 1513                       The three islands are declared useless (islas                              inútiles) by the Spanish viceroy of the West                              Indies, Diego Colón, son of Cristóbal Colón. 1519                       Shown on a map with name transcribed as Bojnaj. The                              Spanish and Dutch later modify this Bojnaj                              and other spellings (Boynare, Buinare, etc.) to                              Buen Ayre (this can still be found in English                              usage until the early 20th cent.) and Bonaire. Mar/Apr 1636               Bonaire a Dutch colony (subordinated to Curaçao). Mar/Apr 1636 - 1 Jan 1792  Under Dutch West India Company administration.  6 Oct 1642 - 17 Oct 1642  Spanish re-occupation under Ruy Fernández de                              Fuenmayor governor of Venezuela.  1647 - 1664                Part of New Netherland colony (see New York). 30 Jan 1648                Spain recognizes Dutch possession of Bonaire.  11 Feb 1665                English from Jamaica under Capt. Laurens Prins                              sack Bonaire. 20 Feb 1799                British ship attacks the Dutch government meat                              vessel which sails from Bonaire to Curaçao, but a                              battery at Karpata fends off the attack.  1 Jan 1807 -  7 May 1816  British occupation. 12 Sep 1815 -  7 May 1816  British lease out Bonaire to U.S. merchant Joseph                              Foulke (b. 1762 - d. 1852).  1 Aug 1828 - 15 Jul 1845  United with other Dutch territories (Bonaire, Sint                              Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Saba, Aruba, Curaçao,                              and Dutch Guiana as the Dutch West Indies (see                              under Suriname). 27 Jan 1848 - 10 Oct 2010  Islands united under the name of Curaçao and                              Dependencies (from 20 Sep 1948, renamed the                              Netherlands Antilles)(see under Curaçao).  1 Jul 1863                Slavery abolished by law in the Caribbean islands. 20 Sep 1948                Bonaire becomes part of the Netherlands Antilles                              federation. 29 Dec 1954                Charter of 19 Dec 1954 gives the federation of six                              islands full autonomy in domestic affairs. 1979                       The Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) established. 21 Oct 1994                Status referendum, Bonaire votes to remain within                              the Netherlands Antilles federation by 89.6% vs.                              separate status 8.9%, incorporation into The                              Netherlands 1.3%, and independence 0.2%.  1 Nov 2001                Klein Bonaire island is designated as a protected                              area and becomes part of Bonaire National Marine                              Park. 10 Sep 2004                Bonaire referendum supports direct links with The                              Netherlands by 59.5%, against for separate                              autonomous status 24.1%, maintaining the                              status quo 15.9%, and independence 0.5%. 12 Oct 2006                Agreement with Netherlands on becoming a                               municipality of The Netherlands. 10 Oct 2010                Bonaire a special municipality (openbaar lichaam) of                              The Netherlands. 17 Dec 2010                Referendum opposes the statement "I agree with                              Bonaire having become a public body conforming to                              Art. 134 of the Dutch constitution", no 86.8%,                              yes 11.8%, and abstain 1.4%; the low turnout                              invalidates the vote. 18 Dec 2015                Referendum, Bonaire votes it is unsatisfied with                              the direct link with the Netherlands 65.2%,                              while 34.3% approve of it.
Caribbean Netherlands (from 2009)

Commanders (commandeur)
1642?                      Jacob Lopper (or Loper) Mz.
 6 Oct 1642 - 17 Oct 1642  Ruy Fernández de Fuenmayor         (b. 1603 - d. 1651)
                             (Spanish commander)
1642                       Jacob Polak
1643 - 16..                Pieter Fredericksz. van
                             Maegdenborch (acting)
16.. - 1657                Hugo Claessen
1657 - 16..                Volckert Caertzen 
                             (= Johan van Galen) 
 5 May 1670 - 1679         Hans Fredericksz. Crab
1679 - 1686                Johannes "Hans" Bontemantel        (b. 1613 - d. 1688)
1682                       Benjamin Meijten
                             (acting for Bontemantel)
14 Jul 1686 - 23 Mar 1688  Jan (Joan) Kip
14 Jun 1688 - 1690         Nicolaes van Beeck de Jonge
1690 - 1695                Jan Burggraeff (1st time)          (b. 16.. - d. 1714)
1695 - 1699                Isaäc Lamont                       (b. 16.. - d. 1709)
1699 - 1705                Jan Burggraeff (2nd time)          (s.a.)
1705 - 1712                Pieter Born (1st time)
1712 - 1714                Hans Jurgen Cramer                 (b. 1654 - d. 1719)
1714 - 1719                Pieter Born (2nd time)
 1 Dec 1719 - 30 Jul 1723  Pieter Scholten (provisional)      (b. 16.. - d. 1723)
30 Jul 1723 - 1738         Jan Hendrik Geerkens               (b. 16.. - d. 1738)
                             (provisional to 1729)
31 May 1738 - 15 Aug 1750  Frederik Zaunslifer
                             (provisional to 17..)
15 Aug 1750 -  2 Feb 1756  Johannes Philippus Eijlbracht      (d. 1756)
 2 Feb 1756 - 12 Nov 1768  Theunis Dirkszoon Kock             (b. 1730 - d. 1782)
12 Nov 1768 - 1780         Andreas Daal                       (b. 1733 - d. ....)
23 Mar 1780 - 11 Aug 1795  Christiaan Gerard Dammers          (b. 1730 - d. c.1796)
                             (provisional to 1784)
Vice-commanders (vice commandeur)
11 Aug 1795 -  4 Jun 1796  Barent Dirkszoon Kock (1st time)   (b. 1753 - d. 1836)
                             (acting)
 4 Jun 1796 - 30 Sep 1797  Michiel de Groot (provisional)
30 Sep 1797 - 29 Oct 1805  Barent Dirkszoon Kock (2nd time)   (s.a.)
29 Oct 1805 - 27 May 1815  Johannes Hzn. Palm (interim)       (b. 1746 - d. 1828)
20 Jun 1809 - 27 May 1815  Jean François du Briel
                             (British superintendent)
Commanders (commandeur)
27 May 1815 - 11 Oct 1817  Samuel Bartholomeus van den Broek  (b. 1762 - d. 1817)
                             (vice-commander to 1816)
11 Oct 1817 - 23 Mar 1827  Isaäc Debrot (acting to 1823)      (b. 1771 - d. 1854)
23 Mar 1827 - 21 Mar 1840  Claas Schotborgh                   (b. 1775 - d. 1840)
24 Mar 1840 - 27 Jan 1848  Jan Schotborgh Claaszoon           (b. 1800 - d. 1876)
Administrators (gezaghebbers)
27 Jan 1848 -  1 Apr 1854  Jan Schotborgh Claaszoon           (s.a.)
Aug 1853 -  5 Jan 1859     Cornelis Boyé                      (b. 1805 - d. 1876)
                             (acting for Schotborgh Claaszoon to 1 Apr 1854)
21 Jan 1859 - 14 Dec 1865  Herman François Gerardus Wagner    (b. 1822 - d. 1904)
14 Mar 1866 -  1 Jun 1871  Edouard Denis Ernest van den       (b. 1831 - d. 1908)
                             Bossche                  
 1 Jun 1871 - 20 Feb 1873  Jan Helenus Ferguson (acting)      (b. 1826 - d. 1908)
20 Feb 1873 - 20 Oct 1881  John George Louis Illidge van      (b. 1833 - d. 1896)
                             Romondt                   
20 Oct 1881 - 10 Jul 1885  Johan Hendrik Waters Gravenhorst   (b. 1833 - d. 1909)
10 Jul 1885 - 15 Mar 1890  Vincent Rogers van Romondt         (b. 1843 - d. 1899)
10 Aug 1890 - 13 Jun 1910  Arend Evert Johannes van den       (b. 1861 - d. 1910)
                             Brandhof                   
20 Apr 1905 -  1 Jun 1907  Herman Statius Muller              (b. 1867 - d. 1934)
                             (acting for Brandhof)
17 Jun 1910 - 30 Jun 1910  .... [the oldest landraad](acting)
30 Jun 1910 -  3 Sep 1920  Jacob Achilles Petrus Thielen      (b. 1871 - d. 1942)
                             (acting to 1 May 1911)
 1 Dec 1918 -  1 Mar 1919  Pieter Lourens Gorsira             (b. 1877 - d. 1949)
                             (acting for Thielen)
27 Oct 1919 - 21 Nov 1919  Jan Louis Carel Monsanto           (b. 1881 - d. 1933)
                             (acting for Thielen)
 7 Mar 1920 - 13 Mar 1920  Julio Herrera (acting for Thielen) (b. 18.. - d. 1931)
25 Apr 1920 - 20 Jul 1921  Carel Pieter de Haseth             (b. 1882 - d. 1928)
                             (acting for Thielen to 3 Sep 1920)
20 Jul 1921 -  6 Sep 1923  Richard Johannes "Hensi"           (b. 1883 - d. 1959)
                             Beaujon, Jr.
 1 Oct 1923 - 20 Aug 1927  Johan Hendrik Perret Gentil Lz.    (b. 1889 - d. 1950)
 6 Apr 1925 - 29 Apr 1925  William Rufus Plantz (1st time)    (b. 1895 - d. 1984)
                             (acting for Perret Gentil)
22 Nov 1925 - 17 Jan 1926  William Rufus Plantz (2nd time)    (s.a.)
                             (acting for Perret Gentil)
 7 Aug 1927 - 12 Aug 1927  William Rufus Plantz (3rd time)    (s.a.)
                             (acting for Perret Gentil)
20 Aug 1927 -  7 Feb 1928  William Rufus Plantz               (s.a.)
11 Feb 1928 - 31 Dec 1934  Herman Bernard Cornelis Schotborgh (b. 1898 - d. 1965)
                             (acting to 18 Dec 1929)
 1 Jan 1935 - 26 Oct 1939  Johan Marin Statius "Bobo" van Eps (b. 1894 - d. 1968)
26 Oct 1939 -  7 Oct 1943  Pieter Hendrik van Leeuwen         (b. 1893 - d. 1959)
31 Dec 1943 -  9 Feb 1952  Xavier Henri Charles Marie Krugers (b. 1896 - d. 1986)
 9 Feb 1952 -  5 Nov 1956  Willem George Shon Weis de Haseth  (b. 1915 - d. 1994)
                             (interim to 5 Sep 1952)
20 Apr 1953 - 31 Oct 1953  Julio César van der Ree            (b. 1916 - d. ....)
                             (acting for Haseth)
 8 Mar 1956 - 12 Dec 1956  Hendrikus "Henk" Anthonius Hessling(b. 1901 - d. 1966)
                             (acting [for Haseth to 5 Nov 1956])
12 Dec 1956 - 1957         Antonius "Anton" Johannes van      (b. 1922)
                             Hesteren (1st time)          
1957 - 1958                Willem George Shon Weis de Haseth  (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)                      
1958 -  6 Jan 1963         Antonius "Anton" Johannes van      (s.a.)
                             Hesteren (2nd time)
 6 Jan 1963 -  6 Jan 1969  Elias José "E.J." Morkos           (b. 1919 - d. 1982)
Jun 1969 - 24 May 1973     Raymundo Pedro Saleh               (b. 1937 - d. 2021)
                             (acting to 23 Jun 1969)
24 Mat 1973 - 21 Dec 1985  Alfred Richard Wenselau Sint Jago  (d. ....)
                             (interim to 1 Jan 1974)
26 Sep 1983 - 12 Feb 1986  Avelino J. Cecilia                                       PDB
                             (acting [for Sint Jago to 21 Dec 1985])
12 Feb 1986 -  1 Feb 1992  George Albert Soliana              (b. 1950)
 1 Feb 1992 - 31 Jan 1998  Frits Martinus de los Santos       (b. 1951)
                             Goedgedrag
 1 Feb 1998 -  2 Dec 2003  Richard Nelson Hart                (b. 1943)
 2 Dec 2003 - 24 Oct 2008  Herbert Filomeno Domacassé         (b. 1947) 
24 Oct 2008 - 31 Dec 2011  Glenn Albert Edward Thodé          (b. 1965)
 1 Jan 2012 -  1 Mar 2012  Peter Silberie (acting)                                  PDB
 1 Mar 2012 -  1 Mar 2014  Lydia Angela Emerencia (f)         (b. 1954)
 1 Mar 2014 - 18 Apr 2023  Edison Enrique Rijna               (b. 1967)
                             (acting to 22 Aug 2014)
18 Apr 2023 -  3 Aug 2024  Reynolds "Nolly" Oleana (acting)                         PDB
 3 Aug 2024 -              John Robert Edward Soliano         (b. 1972)
21 Jul 2026 -              Jeannine Wong-Loi-Sing (f)
                             (acting for Soliano)