Page 1302 - Dive the Seas and More-2
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star, ochre seastar,  crowned  urchin, eel            FRANKO’S MAPS CURACAO DIVE
            grass, and giant kelp.   This is the  most            SITE AND FISH IS CARD
            complete fish repertoire of any of the kelp
            forest fish cards to date.                            This is a great fish cards because it is a
                                                                  part of my trio of fish cards for the
                                                                  Southern Caribbean Sea, which  are of
                                                                  islands known as the “ABC’s” – Aruba,
                                                                  Bonaire and Curacao.  Franko has a series
                                                                  of mini-map/fish cards consisting of one
                                                                  for each of these three islands.  This fish
                                                                  card therefore, is  all about some of the
                                                                  world’s  greatest coral reef ecosystems,
                                                                  and the incredible opportunities it offers
                                                                  to divers and snorkelers.  Curacao
                                                                  (pronounced “Kur-uh-sow), which is the
                                                                  largest of all of the Netherlands Antilles
                                                                  islands, is famous for desert island beauty
                                                                  and it’s wonderful underwater.  In fact, the
                                                                  island has its own underwater treasure
                                                                  called the Curacao Underwater Park.  The
                                                                  entire leeward side of the island is full of
                                                                  beaches,  bays and points for the ocean
                                                                  lover to enjoy.  From north to south there
                                                                  are  almost 40 miles (54 kilometers) of
                                                                  beautiful  seashore to visit, including
                                                                  Westput, Punt Halve Dag, Kaap St. Marie,
                                                                  Punt Kanon, Boca Santa Cruz, Boca St.
                                                                  Marie, Fuikbaai, Soto, San Willi brordo,
                                                                  Bullenbaai,       Oostpunt,       Kniplagun,
                                                                  Willemstad, Punda Sint Michiel,  Cas
                                                                  Abou, San Juan, San Nicholas, Santa
                                                                  Crux, Niewport, Barbara Beach, and Rif
                                                                  Baai Seaquarium.  Curacao is the site of
                                                                  the  town of Willemstad, which  is the
                                                                  government seat of  the  Netherlands
                                                                  Antilles.  Other than its rich undersea life,
                                                                  Curacao  is lacking in most natural
                                                                  resources, yet its location and its port has
                                                                  made it militarily important and
                                                                  economically powerful for hundreds of
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