(formerly Curaçao, also called Netherlands West Indies), overseas territory of The Netherlands made up of two island groups about 550 mi (885 km) apart; total area 308 sq mi (798 sq km); one group, just n. of Venezuela, includes Curaçao and Bonaire (Aruba withdrew Jan. 1, 1986); the other, at n.w. end of Leeward Islands, includes Saba, St. Eustatius, and s. portion of St. Martin; oil refineries on Curaçao; territorial cap. Willemstad, on Curaçao; complete internal autonomy 1954; pop. 192,000 . see also in index Aruba; Bonaire; Curaçao; Saba; Saint Eustatius; Saint Martin