Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History Practice Exam

The territory that remained under Dutch control until the late 19th century is Suriname. Suriname was significant as a Dutch colony, especially due to its valuable agricultural resources and the plantation economy that relied heavily on enslaved labor. The Dutch West India Company originally colonized the area in the 17th century, and it remained a part of the Dutch Empire through various geopolitical changes and conflicts over the centuries.

In contrast, while Curacao, Saint Martin, and Aruba were also Dutch territories, their administration and control changed in the early 19th century due to various colonial impacts and the scramble for territories in the Caribbean. Curacao, for example, was an important center of trade and colonial administration but did not maintain its status like Suriname did for as long. The lasting control over Suriname exemplified the Dutch's commitment to maintaining their colonial governance until it achieved independence in 1975, marking a notable historical transition in the region.