Brief synthesisThe Historic Area of Willemstad is an example of a colonial trading and administrative settlement. In the midst of the historic area is a natural deep-water harbour. Criterion (iv): The four historic urban districts of Historic Willemstad show the subsequent stages of historical development over the course of centuries of the city. IntegrityThe Historic Area of Willemstad has retained its integrity through the survival of the historic urban structure of the period 1650-1800. There is also a structured system of official bodies involved in the protection and conservation of the historic area.