Aruban It measures 32 kilometres (20 mi) long from its northwestern to its southeastern end and 10 kilometres (6 mi) across at its widest point. 179 km2 (69.1 sq mi). Aruba is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, located about 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) west of the Lesser Antilles and 29 kilometres (18 mi) north of the coast of Venezuela. (wikipedia.org) 102,911 inhabitants (2013 estimate) Euros are still not widely accepted but can be easily exchanged at a local bank for Aruban Florins.
Unitary parliamentary representative democracy under constitutional monarchy.

Oranjestad: 12°31' N 70°2' W

Paradera, San Nicolas, Noord, Santa Cruz, Savaneta

AST (UTC-4)

Right

+ 297 The island, mainly the rocky southern part, is the only place where one finds the venomous Aruba Island Rattlesnake. It is critically endangered with less than 250 vipers left in the world and also illegal to export. Also found here are Cottontail Rabbits, wild donkeys, goats, sheep, iguanas, variety of lizards (including the Pega Pega, cousins to the gecko with tiny suction pads on their feet which allow them to walk practically anywhere. They are one of the last remaining prehistoric species who have eluded extinction and have extremely loud voices), pelicans and bats. A lot of Latin American cuisine is found in Aruba, ayaca is a dish of beef, pork, or chicken mixed with raisins, capers, and olives and wrapped in cornmeal dough, all folded within plantain leaves, tied with strings, and boiled or steamed afterwards. Served during the Christmas holiday. Ponche crema is a Trinidadian and Venezuelan cream-based liqueur. Recipes vary depending on the region, but main ingredients typically include milk, eggs, sugar, rum, and other minor ingredients such as vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemon rind. Typical Dutch food also abound, like bitterballen and fritters. Typical side dishes in Aruba are funchi (corn polenta) or pan bati (pancakes/smashed bread). The trademark Divi Divi Tree or Watapana Tree always points in a southwesterly direction, due to the trade winds that blow across the island from the north-east. Attempts to plant this 'compass' tree in other parts of the world have proved unsuccessful. Also found - Mondis (forests of cacti). Despite its arid climate, Aruba has Magdalena, similar to Impatiens found in the Eastern US, but which survive with very little water. Their purple and white flowers blossom all year round. Also widespread are Caribbean Pines, a variety of Hibiscus as well as Bougainvilleas, Wild Orchids and other cacti, vines, shrubs and trees.

Dutch and Papiemento/Papiamentu, which is the widely spoken on the Caribbean ABC islands (Aruba Bonaire and Curaçao) where it has official status as the native language. The language is also recognized on Bonaire by the Dutch government.

Papiamento is derived from African and Portuguese languages with some influences from American Indian languages English, Dutch and Spanish (mostly Spanish). Papiamento has two main dialects: Papiamento, spoken primarily on Aruba; and Papiamentu, spoken on Curaçao. The Bonaire variety, while not considered a dialect, is known as Papiamen.

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81% Roman Catholic

Kingdom of the Netherlands

Estates of Aruba

From the Netherlands Antilles on 1 January 1986

Tropical semi-arid climate. Mean monthly temperature in Oranjestad varies little from 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) to 29.2 °C (84.6 °F). Constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean, comes from north-east. Yearly rainfall hardly exceeds 470 mm (18.5 in) in Oranjestad.

Aruba's first inhabitants were from the Arawak tribe, who migrated there from Venezuela to escape attacks by the Caribs. Parts of the earliest known Indian settlements date back to 1000 AD. Europeans first learned of Aruba following the explorations for Spain by Amerigo Vespucci and Alonso de Ojeda in 1499. Both learned of it from natives of nearby islands and described Aruba as an "island of giants", remarking on the comparatively large stature of the native Caquetíos, compared to Europeans. Gold was discovered on Aruba 300 years later. Vespucci visited Spain with stocks of cotton and brazilwood from the island and described houses built into the sea. Vespucci and Ojeda's tales spurred interest, and Spaniards soon colonized the island.

Because it had low rainfall, no plantations were developed and slave trading was minimal. Aruba was colonized by Spain for over a century. In 1508, the Spanish Crown appointed Alonso de Ojeda as its first Governor of Aruba, as part of Nueva Andalucía. Another Spanish governor appointed was Juan Martínez de Ampiés. In 1528, Ampíes was replaced by a representative of the House of Welser.

The Netherlands regulated Aruba since 1629. Since 1636 however, Aruba has been under Dutch administration, initially governed by Peter Stuyvesant, later appointed to New Amsterdam (New York City). The island was then included under the Dutch West India Company (W.I.C.) administration from 1648 to 1664. The Dutch controlled Aruba 135 years after the Spanish, allowing the Arawaks stockbreeding, and turned the island into a meat source for other Dutch Caribbean colonies. In 1933, Aruba sent its first request to the Queen seeking independent status and autonomy.

During World War II , Aruba was one of the main suppliers of refined petroleum products to the Allies Aruba was made a British protectorate from 1940 to 1942, and a US protectorate from 1942 to 1945.

In March 1944, Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady of the United States, briefly visited American troops stationed in Aruba.

Currently Aruba is a sovereign state in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.