TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Aruba's bright, breezy, pastel-coloured harbourside capital city Oranjestad has a distinctly Dutch flavour, thanks to the modern vogue for fake colonial architecture. It has some good shopping options and three small museums.
Aruba's name is derived from the red gold (oro ruba) that was discovered in the centre of the island in the 1824. Two restored gold mines, one at Bushiribana on Aruba's northern coast and a gold mill in Balashi in the south west, are popular tourist attractions.
Daimari, a green oasis that includes a coconut plantation and a ranch where you can hire a nag to get to the gorgeous natural pool at Boca Ketu. You can also rent a dune buggy for a fun ride on the beach.
To see the real treasure of Aruba and to enjoy a restful, lazy day at a beautiful beach, visit Eagle Beach or Palm Beach areas just north of Oranjestad. The sand is as soft and fine and turquoise blue waters are warm as you could wish for, this entire stretch of coast is devoted to the best Caribbean beach experience for as many people as possible.
In the out-of-this-world landscape of Arikok National Park , visitors can explore big boulders painted with ancient petroglyphs and limestone caves.
To find out more about Aruba, its tourist attractions, activities, nightlife and place to eat, check out our Destination Guides.

TRAVEL TIPS

Aruba is a relatively expensive place to go to, so it tends to attract the reasonably well-off travelers. Groceries and other supplies are all imported from elsewhere, so food prices tend to be high. American dollars are accepted virtually everywhere at a decent exchange rate. Aruba's capital city- Oranjestad is filled with nearly identical shops and stalls selling souvenirs and local crafts.Aruba is generally a very safe place, most visits to Aruba are trouble-free. The crime rate is low in Aruba. Nevertheless, you should take the same sensible precautions as you would at home, such as locking doors and windows at night and securing your car when you leave it. Do not leave valuables lying around; keep them in your hotel or other safe deposit box. We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Aruba.

BRIEF HISTORY

This a Caribbean island situated 15 miles north of the coast of Venezuela was 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.

GEOGRAPHY

Area: total: 193 sq km; land: 193 sq km; water: 0 sq km.
Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation.
Terrain: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation.
Natural Hazards: lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt.
Note: a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit).

PEOPLE

Population: 71,891.
Median Age: total: 38.5 years; male: 36.4 years; female: 40.3 years.
Life Expectancy: male: 75.95 years, female: 82.78 years.
Fertility Rate: 1.79 children born per woman.
Major Ethnic Groups: mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish.
Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish.

GOVERNMENT

Type: parliamentary democracy (member country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs).
Capital City: Oranjestad.
Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time). Check current time.
National Holiday: Flag Day, 18 March.
Chief of State: Queen of the Netherlands represented by Governor.
Head of Government: Prime Minister.
Cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten.
Legislative Branch: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats).

ECONOMY

Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season, and hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged 80%, compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The newly re-elected government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority.
GDP: $2.258 billion, Growth Rate: 2.4%, GDP Per Capita: $21,800.
Unemployment Rate: 6.9%
Agriculture Products: aloes; livestock; fish.
Major Industries: tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining.
Export Commodities: live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment.
Export Partners: Netherlands 33.5%, Panama 16.7%, Colombia 11.9%, US 11.3%, Venezuela 10.1%, Netherlands Antilles 9%.
Import Commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs.
Import Partners: US 55.9%, Netherlands 12.9%, UK 3.8%.
Currency: Aruban guilder/florin (AWG). Check current rate of exchange.

TRANSPORT

Airports: 1
Roadways: 800 km.
Major Ports and Terminals: Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas.