Curaçao's varied geography can best be appreciated from the window seat of an airplane.

As you fly in, notice the hilly western countryside, dominated by Christoffelberg ('Mt. Christoffel'). At 375 meters (1230 feet), it is the island's tallest peak. If you're an avid hiker, don't miss the short but strenuous trek to the top.

The eastern part of the island is flatter and lower, broken by flat-topped Tafelberg ('Table Mountain') at Santa Barbara.

Just west of town, note the three sharp hills known as Drie Gebroeders ('Three Brothers'), the remains of an ancient coral reef formed at least three million years ago.

The waters around the island also vary. The north coast is pounded by high waves which roll in from the rough open seas, crashing into the cliffs and bathing them in a sea of spray. Deep and dark blue, these waters are a marked contrast from the sheltered southern seaboard, whose calm coastline is dotted with sandy shores and brilliant turquoise lagoons.

North and south, the coast is broken here and there by several large bays and smaller inlets formed by glaciers during the last Ice Age. The largest, Schottegat on the southeast coast, is the island's bustling harbor.

While you admire the numerous bays, also note that Curaçao does not have a single freshwater lake or river.