Belnem
Belnem is located in Bonaire
Belnem
Belnem
Location in Bonaire
Coordinates: 12°07′29″N 68°17′18″W / 12.1247°N 68.2882°W / 12.1247; -68.2882
CountryNetherlands
Public bodyBonaire
Established1966
Population
 (2020)[1]
  Total881

Belnem is a private community on the island of Bonaire. It is luxurious neighbourhood named after Harry Belafonte and Maurice Neme. Construction of Belnem started on 3 June 1966.[2]

History

Harry Belafonte often visited and liked the Caribbean island of Bonaire.[3] Belafonte together with Maurice Neme of Oranjestad, Aruba embarked on a joint venture to create a luxurious private community on Bonaire.[4]

On 3 June 1966, the construction of the neighbourhood started which was named Belnem after Belafonte and Neme. At least 30 houses with a minimum size of 100 m2 and a road connecting the neighbourhood to the road network of Bonaire had to be constructed within a two-year time period.[4] The neighbourhood is managed by the Bel-Nem Caribbean Development Corporation. Belafonte and Neme served as its first directors.[5] Later, other residential neighbourhoods were built in Belnem.[6] In 1981, Belnem came under scrutiny by the Island Council, because the land which had been sold to Belnem at a reduced price was being sold on at high prices.[7]

Bachelor's Beach

Bachelor's Beach is a small beach near Belnem. It can be accessed via stairs down the 10 feet (3.0 m) cliff.[8] It is one of the most popular beaches and is located near Flamingo International Airport with planes passing over the beach.[9]

References

  1. "Bonaire, bevolkingscijfers per buurt". Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (in Dutch). 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  2. "Belnemproject". Amigoe via Delpher.nl (in Dutch). 21 April 1981. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  3. "Ode aan Bonaire, een ongrijpbare liefde in de Caraïbische branding". ThePostOnline via Knipselkrant Curacao (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Belnemproject". Amigoe via Delpher.nl (in Dutch). 21 April 1981. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  5. "Statuten Bel-Nem goedgekeurd". Amigoe di Curacao via Delpher.nl (in Dutch). 29 June 1966. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  6. "De wijken en buurten van Bonaire". Sunwise Bonaire (in Dutch). 4 July 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  7. "Belnem is doorn in het oog". Amigoe via Delpher.nl (in Dutch). 7 April 1981. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  8. "Bachelor's Beach". Tourism Bonaire. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  9. "Bachelor's Beach". Bonaire Vakantieland (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 May 2021.


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