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Description
Aruba
will greet you upon arrival with perfect weather, gorgeous
beaches, shimmering seas, duty-free  shopping, and friendly Dutch West Indies hosts
shouting "Bon Bini" (welcome). Oranjestad, the
capital city, is the center of shopping on the island.
There are hundreds of shops that offer a variety of items
to choose from. The island also is home to many casinos
and a variety of restaurants and also offers exciting
nightlife.
This little Dutch vacation destination measures 20 miles
long and only 6 miles wide, but it contains 40 different
cultures and a geography almost as varied as the United
States. Surprisingly, Aruba never gets hit by hurricanes
due to it being outside of the hurricane belt. Language
is not a barrier either since most of the locals are multi-lingual,
speaking four languages fluently: Dutch (official language),
English, Spanish and Papiamento (native).
On one side of Aruba, the Atlantic crashes over rocks,
coral ridges and cliffs. On the other Aruba is surrounded
by tranquil Caribbean Sea - perfect for snorkeling and
swimming. In between lies a desert landscape with a charming
lighthouse and windmills, towering cacti and unique twisted
divi-divi trees. Aruba has something for everyone!
History
Discovered and claimed for Spain
in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The
island's economy has been dominated by three main industries.
A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought
on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last
decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism
industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles
in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence
was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
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Aruba
At
A Glance
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Language:
Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch,
English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Government: Parliamentary democracy. part of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal
affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands
Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and
foreign affairs
Capital: Oranjestad
Size: 193 sq km
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea,
north of Venezuela
Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature
variation
Electricity: 110 Volts AC
Currency: Aruban Guilder/Florin
Driving:
Rentals: Plentiful, both international and local agencies
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