Both the Leeward ( Christopher Columbus , 1493 ) and Windward ( Alonso de Ojeda , 1499 ) island groups were discovered and initially settled by the Spanish . In the 17th century , the islands were conquered by the Dutch West India Company and were used as bases for slave trade. Only in 1863 was slavery abolished. In 1954 , the islands were promoted from colony to a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands . The island of Aruba was part of the Netherlands Antilles until 1986 , when it was granted a "status aparte", and became a separate part of the kingdom. Some of the other islands have indicated that they wish to obtain the same status, but no agreements on this have yet been reached. Other options sometimes considered are independence or together becoming a province of the Netherlands.

 

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