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Glite Dictionary
Netherlands Antilles

Netherlands Antilles

1 7.2
A former group of Caribbean islands north of Venezuela that the Netherlands governed until 2010
  • proper noun
translation icon : Antillas Neerlandesas
  • Many tourists visit the Netherlands Antilles for vacation.

Examples

  • The Netherlands Antilles were known for their beautiful beaches.

  • Tourists often visited the Netherlands Antilles for their beautiful beaches and vibrant culture.

  • He studied the history of colonial rule in the Netherlands Antilles for his thesis.

  • The Netherlands Antilles were dissolved in 2010, resulting in new political arrangements for the islands.

  • The Netherlands Antilles were known for their beautiful beaches and vibrant culture.

  • After its dissolution in 2010, the Netherlands Antilles no longer exists as a political entity.

  • Many tourists visit the Netherlands Antilles to enjoy its warm climate and crystal-clear waters.

Surface Forms

Netherlands Antilles main

Morphology

Netherlands + Antilles

The name is directly compositional: combining 'Netherlands' (the country) with 'Antilles' (a group of Caribbean islands) signals the Antilles associated with the Netherlands. This follows common cross-linguistic territory-naming patterns (country + region), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Netherlands Antilles joins Netherlands (the Dutch country that ruled them) and Antilles (an old name for the Caribbean islands). So the name meant 'the Dutch islands in the Caribbean', which is why it refers to the group of islands that the Netherlands governed until 2010.