Aruba

Map of Aruba.

Aruba (in Dutch, Land Aruba, pronounced/a memorial service( listen)in papyamento, Pais Aruba) is an autonomous island country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands — next to Curacao, San Martín and the Netherlands — located in the northern region of South America. It is established on the homonymous island of the group of Sotavento, belonging to the Lesser Antilles. The territory is located 25 km north of the peninsula of Paraguaná, northwest of Venezuela, south of the Caribbean Sea, east of the archipelago of Los Monjes and the peninsula of Guajira and west of another Dutch autonomous country, Curacao.

It was part of the Netherlands Antilles until 1986 and is currently not part of the European Union like other European sovereign territories that share this status, such as Greenland (Denmark) and French Polynesia (France). However, there are other territories outside of Europe under the sovereignty of European Union countries, which are an integral part of it, such as French Guiana in South America. Despite this, all Aruban citizens have a Dutch passport, and therefore Arubans enjoy the same rights as citizens of the European Union.

Etymology

Its name is probably of Arawak origin with the meaning of: "The island of the shell" from Ora, "shell" and Ubao "la isla" or de Oruba "well situated". On a 1562 map he appears as Orua.

A popular etymology attributes its name to the explorer Alonso de Ojeda in 1499, who called it Oro habo, since he found no gold deposits in it. Ironically, centuries later gold was found in Aruba.

History

Amerindian paintings in the Fountein Cave in Aruba

Pre-Colonial Period

Human presence in Aruba dates back to 2000 B.C. C. The first identifiable group are the Arawak Amerindians of the Caquetío, who emigrated from South America (Venezuela) around the year 1000 AD. C. Archaeological evidence suggests that links continue to exist between these Aruba natives and the Amerindian peoples of mainland South America.

Spanish Colonization

Spain colonized Aruba from 1499 for a period of approximately one century. Likewise, one of the oldest references to the name of the island is found in the file of the Main Public Registry of the city of Caracas (Venezuela). A royal Decree decreed in November 1525 grants Juan Martín de Ampíes, factor of Hispaniola and founder of Coro, the right to repopulate the islands of Aruba, Islas de los Gigantes and Bonaire. In 1588, the Elegías de hombres ilustres de Indias, by Juan de Castellanos, a Spanish poet, chronicler and priest, which mentions Juan Martín de Ampíes and the three Islands, is published in Madrid. A document dated December 9, 1595 specifies that Francisco Montesinos, priest and vicar of "the Islands of Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire" He conferred a power of attorney on Pedro Gutiérrez de Lugo, a resident of Caracas, to collect from the Royal Funds of Felipe II, the salary that corresponded to him for his office as priest and vicar of the islands.

Representation of the Aruban Islands (Oruba) and Curacao on a Spanish map of 1748

In 1513 Ampies declared Aruba Curaçao and Bonaire ''Useless Islands'' (referring to them as Aruba, Coracao and Buynaré). in order to remove Indians from them the Colonia de Santo Domingo. Up to 2000 people who lived in those territories were transferred and Captain Diego Salazar was in charge of that operation.

Alonso de Ojeda was appointed the island's first Spanish governor in 1508. Beginning in 1513, the Spanish began to enslave the Caquetíos, sending many to a life of forced labor in the mines of Hispaniola. The island's rainfall and arid landscape made a plantation system based on slavery unprofitable, so the type of large-scale slavery so common on other Caribbean islands never became established on Aruba. In 1678, in Exquemelin's work it is verified that the Indians in Aruba speak Spanish and that once a year a father from Coro comes.

Dutch Colonization

The island of Aruba was conquered by the Netherlands, by the Dutch West India Company, in 1636; and maintained its control for almost two centuries. In 1805, during the Napoleonic Wars, the British briefly held control of the island until 1816.

In 1927, in the "Druif" area, very close to the port of Oranjestad, the APM ("Eagle Refinery Company") was established, a subsidiary of the Shell oil company, which imports oil from Venezuela.

The Yellow House built around 1860

Aruba's first oil refinery was built in 1928 by Royal Dutch Shell. The facility was built just west of the capital, Oranjestad, and was commonly called the Eagle. Immediately after, another refinery was built by the Lago Oil and Transport Company, in an area now known as San Nicolás, on the eastern tip of Aruba. Refineries processed crude from Venezuela's vast oil fields, bringing greater prosperity to the island. The Aruba refinery grew to become one of the largest in the world.

World War II

During World War II, Aruba's ports were important for fueling the Allied forces operating in Europe. Which exposed those two ports to Nazi Germany's submarine siege.

For the Kingdom of the Netherlands, World War II began with the invasion of the Netherlands by Germany on May 10, 1940. Due to the Lago oil refinery in San Nicolás, Aruba was considered strategically important for the allied war effort and that same night 180 French marines arrived in Aruba to help the local army.

On 6 July they were replaced by 120 British soldiers who were in turn replaced by the 4th Queens Own Cameron Highlanders Battalion in September. An artillery unit from the Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) was also sent to Aruba in December to improve defenses. Also in December military service became compulsory and the VKA grew in size. All the soldiers were housed near the Savaneta oil refinery, the current location of the Marine barracks. At the beginning of 1942, the British troops were replaced by more than a thousand American soldiers. Dutch coastal batteries off Aruba and Curaçao engaged U-boats at least three times during World War II, during the attack on Aruba in February 1942 and again during the bombardment of Curaçao. Later, a Dutch battery off Curaçao engaged another submarine when it attacked an oil tanker sailing off the island. Neither battery hit its targets.

Independence Referendum

In August 1947, Aruba formulated its first Staatsreglement (constitution) for Aruba's separate status as an autonomous state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, prompted by the efforts of Henny Eman, a prominent Aruban politician. In 1954, the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was established, providing a framework for relations between Aruba and the rest of the Kingdom, creating the Netherlands Antilles, uniting all of the Dutch Caribbean colonies into a single administrative structure. However, many Arubans were not happy with the deal, as the new policy was perceived to be dominated by Curaçao.

Monument of the Status Apart from Aruba commemorates the Autonomy of the island achieved in 1986

In 1972, at a conference in Suriname, Betico Croes, an Aruban politician, proposed the creation of a Dutch Commonwealth of four states: Aruba, the Netherlands, Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles, each with its own nationality. Supported by his newly created party, the People's Electoral Movement, Croes sought greater autonomy for Aruba, with the long-term goal of independence, adopting the features of an independent state in 1976 with the creation of a national flag and anthem. In March 1977, a referendum was held with the support of the United Nations. 82% of the participants voted in favor of full independence from the Netherlands. The Dutch government declared the referendum illegal. Tensions escalated when Croes stepped up pressure on the Dutch government by organizing a general strike in 1977. Croes subsequently met Dutch Prime Minister Joop den Uyl, and both sides agreed to commission the Institute for Social Studies in The Hague to draw up a study for independence, entitled Aruba en Onafhankelijkheid, achtergronden, modaliteiten, en mogelijkheden; een rapport in eerste aanleg (Aruba and independence, background, modalities and opportunities; a preliminary report) (1978).

Autonomy

In March 1983, Aruba reached an official agreement within the Kingdom for its future independence, which would unfold in a series of steps as the Crown granted increasing autonomy. In August 1985, Aruba drafted a constitution that was unanimously approved. On January 1, 1986, after holding elections for its first parliament, Aruba separated from the Netherlands Antilles, officially becoming a country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with full independence scheduled for 1996. However, Croes was seriously injured in a traffic accident in 1985, slipping into a coma. He died in 1986, without ever seeing the promulgation of the separate status for Aruba that he had worked for many years.

After his death, Croes was proclaimed the Liberator of Aruba (Papiamento: Libertador di Aruba). Croes's successor, Henny Eman of the Aruban People's Party (AVP), became the first Prime Minister of Aruba. In 1985, the Aruba oil refinery had closed. This refinery had provided Aruba with 30% of its actual revenue and 50% of government revenue. The major hit to the economy led to a push for a dramatic increase in tourism, and that sector has expanded to become the largest industry on the island.

Although it is not an independent state, it manages most of its affairs with the exception of some special matters such as Defense and Foreign Relations. Autonomy was supposed to eventually lead to full independence as in the case of Suriname, but the various governments of Aruba have postponed the matter while maintaining the relationship with the Netherlands.

Oranjestad, capital of Aruba.

Government and politics

Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but maintains broad control over its affairs except for issues related to national defense, citizenship, foreign relations, and extradition. Aruba has its own laws, constitution, government, and official currency. The judicial power resides in the Supreme Court of Justice of Aruba, whose judges are appointed by the Dutch monarch. The Constitution of Aruba dates from 1986.

Executive Branch

The head of state is the current monarch of the Netherlands, who is represented in Aruba by the Governor of Aruba, elected for a six-year term. The head of government is the Prime Minister of Aruba who forms, together with the Council of Ministers, the executive branch of the government.

Legislative branch

View of the Aruban Parliament.

The members of the Council of Ministers are elected by the Parliament of Aruba, a unicameral body called the Staten (States), which has 21 seats and represents the legislative branch. The members of the Staten are elected by direct and popular vote for a term of four years.

Politics

Aruba's legal system is based on the Dutch model. In Aruba, legal jurisdiction rests with the Gerecht in Eerste Aanleg (Court of First Instance) of Aruba, the Gemeenschappelijk Hof van Justitie van Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, on van Bonaire, Sint Eustatius on Saba (Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba) and the Hoge Raad der Nederlanden (Supreme Court of Justice of the Netherlands). The Korps Politie Aruba (Aruba Police Corps) is the agency in charge of law enforcement on the island and has district police stations in Oranjestad, Noord, San Nicolaas and Santa Cruz, where it has its headquarters.

Deficit spending has been a constant throughout Aruba's history, and there has also been moderately high inflation. In 2006, the government's debt had grown to 1,883 million Aruban guilders. In 2006, the Aruban government changed several tax laws to reduce the deficit. Direct taxes have been turned into indirect taxes, as proposed by the IMF.

Foreign Relations

Aruba is one of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) of the European Union and maintains economic and cultural relations with the European Union and the United States of America. Aruba is also a member of several international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and Interpol. The body that implements social security schemes in Aruba has been a full member of the Inter-American Conference on Social Security (CISS) since 1995.

Defense

The defense in Aruba is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Dutch Armed Forces protecting the island include the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard, including a platoon-sized national guard.

Aruban Police Corps

All forces are stationed at the Navy base in Savaneta. Additionally, in 1999, the US Department of Defense established a Forward Operating Location (FOL) at the airport.

Aruba's defense tasks have been assigned by the Dutch state exclusively to the Dutch armed forces, there is no local military body. This has made the Dutch armed forces responsible for the implementation of defense policy. This is carried out from the navy barracks near the town of Savaneta (Aruba). The barracks are an integral part of the Command of the Naval Forces in the Caribbean Region (CZMCARIB, Commandant der Zeemacht in het Caraïbisch Gebied)

The 32nd Infantry Company of the Marine Corps (De 32e Infanterie Compagnie van het Korps Mariniers) and the Aruban Militia platoon (peloton van de Arubaanse Militie ARUMIL) are stationed at the Savaneta Marine Barracks. The responsibilities of the militia include surveillance and security tasks, but they can also be deployed operationally. For example, militia troops were deployed in relief efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Various support services from the Royal Navy (Koninklijke Marine) are also present, such as support administrative, logistics, facilities and medical.

Until 1929, there were hardly any military forces in the Netherlands Antilles, including Aruba. On June 28, 1929, Venezuelan rebel leader Rafael Simón Urbina attacked Curaçao and took several hostages, including Dutch Governor Leonard Albert Fruytier and garrison commander Borren. All of them were taken to Venezuela, where Urbina hoped to overthrow the government of Juan Vicente Gómez, his attempt failed and Urbina was taken prisoner. All the hostages were returned to Curacao. Three Dutch soldiers were killed in action during this event. Following the Urbina attack, the Dutch government decided to station a naval ship ("stationsschip") in the West Indies permanently. It also decided to create a volunteer defense corps on both Curaçao and Aruba (vrijwilligerskorps Curaçao or VKC and Vrijwilligerskorps Aruba or VKA). After World War II, the VKA and VKC were renamed the Antiliaanse Militie (ANTMIL), which still exists on Curaçao. When Aruba gained autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1986, ANTMIL in Aruba was redesignated as Arubaanse militie or ARUMIL.

Political-administrative organization

Dutch Marines in Savaneta, Aruba

Aruba is divided into several cities and towns, including these:

• Noord
• Oranjestad, divided into 2 districts.
• Parade
• Sint Nicolaas, divided into 2 districts.
• Santa Cruz
• Savaneta

Geography

The island is generally flat with no rivers. It has white sand beaches, located on the west and south coasts of the island; In the interior of the island there are some hills, of which the Hooiberg (165 m) and Mount Jamanota (188 m) stand out, which is the highest point on the island. Oranjestad, its capital, is located at 12°19′N 70°1′W / 12.317, -70.017, and is situated 25 km off the coast of Venezuela.

The local climate is of the maritime tropical semi-arid type, with small temperature variations throughout the year.

Aruba does not have land borders but it does have maritime borders, only with Venezuela, which were established by the 1978 Treaty between the Netherlands and Venezuela.

Wildlife

Aruba's isolation from the South American continent has favored the evolution of multiple endemic animals. The island is the habitat of the endemic Aruban whiptail lizard (Cnemidophorus arubensis) and Aruban rattlesnake, as well as an endemic subspecies of burrowing owl and brown-throated parakeet.

Iguana common or green Iguana in Aruba (Iguana iguana)

Since Aruba lies on the South American continental shelf, its fauna is very similar to the northern part of nearby Venezuela. Twelve mammals live on the island, including three introduced rodents (brown rat, black rat, and house mouse), one native rodent (Calomys hummelincki), one hare-like animal (Florida rabbit, Sylvilagus floridanus), and seven bats (Peropteryx trinitatis, Pteronotus davyi, Mormoops megalophylla, Glossophaga longirostris, Leptonycteris curasoae, Natalus tumidirostris, and Molossus molossus).

The best-known birds and reptiles in Aruba are the striped anole, the yuwana (green iguana), the dori (frog), the shoco (owl), the cascabel (Aruba rattlesnake), the chuchubi, the orange troepial, the yellow barica (sugar thief) and the blendi (hummingbird). Renal lizards such as the Aruban cododo (Aruba lizard) live in the dry desert landscape of Aruba.

Some animals, such as rattlesnakes, are threatened by boa constrictors. This species of snake is not native to Aruba, but it most likely could have spread to the island after some specimens were released into the wild. After the species seemed perfectly at home on Aruba, it has multiplied at a rapid rate on the island. Therefore, it is currently a pest. The snake is harmless to humans, but it poses a threat to certain animal species.

Native plant and animal species in danger of extinction, as well as the white sand of the beaches, enjoy legal protection under the CITES Convention, the National Decree on Native Flora and Fauna or the Ordinance on Sand. The protection also includes a ban on exporting coral, shellfish or white sand, for example.

Flora

An angel fish queen (Hicanthus ciliaris) in Aruba

The flora of Aruba differs from the typical vegetation of tropical islands. Xeric scrub is common, with various forms of cacti, thorny shrubs, and evergreen trees. Aloe vera is also present, whose economic importance has earned it a place on the shield of Aruba.

Cacti such as the Melocactus and Opuntia are represented in Aruba by species such as Opuntia stricta. Trees such as Caesalpina coriaria and Vachellia tortuosa are drought tolerant.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Aruba has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh). The average monthly temperature in Oranjestad varies little, between 80.1 °F (26.7 °C) and 84.6 °F (29.2 °C), moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean, which come from the northeast. Annual rainfall is just over 18.5 inches or 470 millimeters in Oranjestad, although it is extremely variable and can go as low as 5.91 inches or 150 millimeters during strong El Niño years (for example, 1911/1912, 1930/ 1931, 1982/1983, 1997/1998) to more than 1,000 millimeters or 39.37 inches in La Niña years such as 1933/1934, 1970/1971, or 1988/1989.

Some years the rainfall exceeds 900 mm, while other years it hardly rains. The rainy season is in October, November and December. During this season, the rain falls mainly at night and in the morning; in the afternoon and evening it is usually sunny and dry. Precipitation then falls mainly in the form of heavy showers. During and shortly after the rainy season, nature is somewhat greener than during the rest of the year.

Landscape of Aruba.

Outside of the rainy season, rainfall is sparse, unless a hurricane is approaching. Aruba is located outside of the hurricane belt and is very rarely affected by a hurricane. Every once in a while, a hurricane passes quite close to the island, causing a branch of it to bring strong winds and prolonged intense rain and thunderstorms. Then floods can occur. In the spring and summer months dust from the Sahara is produced. Dust particles are blown by the wind and make visibility hazy.

In Aruba, the sun shines an average of more than 3,200 hours per year. By comparison, in northwestern Europe, the average is 1,600 hours a year.

Average climate parameters of Oranjestad, Aruba (1981-2010, extremes 1951-2010)
Month	Ene.	Feb.	Mar.	Open up.	May.	Jun.	Jul.	Ago.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Temp. max. abs. (°C)	32.5	33.0	33.9	34.4	34.9	35.2	35.3	36.1	36.5	35.4	35.0	34.8	36.5
Average temperature (°C)	30.0	30.4	30.9	31.5	32.0	32.2	32.0	32.6	32.7	32.1	31.3	30.4	31.5
Average temperature (°C)	26.7	26.8	27.2	27.9	28.5	28.7	28.6	29.1	29.2	28.7	28.1	27.2	28.1
Temp. medium (°C)	24.5	24.7	25.0	25.8	26.5	26.7	26.4	26.8	26.9	26.4	25.8	25.0	25.9
Temp. min. abs. (°C)	21.3	20.6	21.4	21.5	21.8	22.7	21.2	21.3	22.1	21.9	22.0	20.5	20.5
Total precipitation (mm)	39.3	20.6	8.7	11.6	16.3	18.7	31.7	25.8	45.5	77.8	94.0	81.8	471.8
Precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	8.4	5.0	1.8	1.9	2.2	2.8	4.9	4.3	3.9	7.4	10.6	11.4	64.6
Relative humidity (%)	77.5	76.1	75.7	77.1	77.9	77.4	77.8	76.2	76.8	78.6	79.1	78.4	77.4
Source: ARUBA METEORIOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT (extreme)

Economy

About 70% of Aruba's GDP comes from tourism or related activities, and 75% of visitors come from the United States. Before obtaining its autonomous status, the main activity was oil refining; currently such activity has little influence on the economy. Agriculture and manufacturing also have a small economic impact. The Aruban florin usually has a fixed exchange rate with the US dollar of 1.75:1, but in most businesses the exchange rate is 1.80:1. Its main trading partners are Venezuela, the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

It is important to note that despite its small territorial extension, Aruba is, according to data from the World Coffee Organization (2003), the second country with the highest per-capita consumption of coffee worldwide, only surpassed by Finland. ^{[citation required]}

Principal Port of Aruba

Aruba is a prosperous country. Unemployment is low (although the government has not published statistics since 2013) and per capita income is one of the highest in the Caribbean (approximately $24,087). At the end of 2018, the labor force participation rate was 56.6% for women.

Until the mid-1980s, Aruba's main industry was oil refining. Later the refinery was closed and the economy of the island was oriented towards tourism. Currently, Aruba receives some 1,235,673 (2007) guests per year, of which three quarters are Americans. Tourism is mainly focused on the beaches and the sea. The refinery has been shut down and restarted repeatedly over the past decades. In recent years, a letter of intent has been signed with CITGO (the US subsidiary of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA) to explore the possibility of reopening the refinery again.

Until 2009, the Netherlands provided development aid to Aruba. This aid went primarily to law enforcement, education, administrative development, health care, and sustainable economic development. This support was discontinued at Aruba's request in 2009. Since 2015, however, a form of financial supervision has been reintroduced as Aruba's debt has risen sharply to over 80% of GDP.

Aruba also has three free trade zones, where imports and exports and the circulation of services are carried out without taxes.

Tourism

View of the Town Hall or Mayor of Oranjestad

Tourism is the main support of the Aruban economy, the largest source of employment for the island's inhabitants. The rapid growth of the tourism sector during the 1990s has led to a substantial expansion of other economic activities. Real estate construction, with greater capacity in hotels, is five times higher than the level of the year of 1985. This has produced low unemployment figures, causing a lack of labor and an increase in wages.

Aruba has a large and well-developed tourism industry, receiving 1,082,000 overnight tourists in 2018. The largest number of tourists come from North America (mainly the United States), with a market share of 73, 3%, in addition to 15.2% from Latin America (mainly Venezuela) and 8.3% from Europe. In 2018 there were 40,231 visitors from the Netherlands. There are many luxury hotels, mainly concentrated on the beaches of the west coast. In Palm Beach there are luxury hotels aimed at American tourists. This area is also called the "Highrise-area", due to the fact that most of the hotels are located in (by Aruba standards) high-rise buildings. Eagle Beach, a short drive from Palm Beach towards Oranjestad, offers hotels on a somewhat smaller and more intimate scale in low-rise buildings, hence the name 'low-rise area'.

Oranjestad is, in addition to the capital, an important place in the tourism industry. Here is the port for the many cruise ships that visit Aruba. The cruise sector is a very important pillar of tourism in Aruba, since during a cruise a large part of the passengers go ashore to visit the island. With 334 "cruise calls", Aruba received 815,161 cruise tourists in 2018. According to some sources, the 2017/2018 cruise season contributed 102.8 million dollars to the Aruba economy. Oranjestad is also home to several luxury hotels, several upscale shopping centers and several tourist-oriented shopping streets, including the "Mainstreet," and hospitality facilities. The main street, called Caya G.F. (Betico) Croes, has been redeveloped in recent years, including new pavement, new palm trees and a tram line for tourists.

Palm Beach Sector, Aruba.

Also in other places on the island you can find the necessary tourist accommodation, even in (private) apartment buildings.

Financial markets

To give an example of the activity around the financial markets that takes place on the island, according to the international alter-globalization movement ATTAC that promotes the democratic control of financial markets “the Dutch banking and insurance group ING Direct, which is one of the most important financial groups in the world that emerged in the 1990s» would have activities on the Island of Aruba, a Dutch overseas territory, which enjoys a peculiar political-economic status. It is considered in the orbit of what is known as a tax haven. […]"has a company specialized in this trust management, services to establish trusts or trusts in Aruba, the commercial company ING Trust (Aruba) NV, which according to what we are informed serve in turn to manage the offshore companies registered in that tax haven.”

Beer Production

Brouwerij Nacional Balashi N.V. (BNB, Balashi National Brewery), located in Oranjestad, is the brewery on the island of Aruba. The name Balashi means "by the sea" in papiamento. The location of the brewery is also called Balashi.

The brewery building was built by MetaCorp. The construction and the brewing equipment were supplied by the Hamburg company Brewtech GmbH. Starting in May 1999, production of the Balashi lager began, developed by German brewmaster Klaus Eckert. Balashi beer is the first locally produced beer in Aruba and is also exported to Curaçao and Bonaire.

The beers are brewed with German malt and German Hallertau hops. The annual production is a maximum of 55,000 hectoliters per year. The brewery consists of 3 bottling lines built and commissioned by Krones in Neutraubling. Balashi beer won Gold medals at the Selecion du monde in Brussels in 2001/2004.

In 2002, Brouwerij Nacional Balashi began producing and bottling Coca-Cola products and other non-alcoholic beverages with a capacity of 120,000 hl/year.

It has a canning line with 38,000 cans/hour, a glass line with 15,000 bottles/hour, a Modulfill PET line with 18,000 bottles/hour, and a brewing capacity of 75 hl per brew, with 13 fermentation tanks of 225 hl each.

Mining

Ruins of an ancient gold mine in Aruba

Gold mining in Aruba was the largest industry on the island of Aruba from 1825 to about 1918. In total about 1,735 kg of gold was extracted during this period.

Willem Rasmijn, the son of a shepherd, found gold nuggets on the north coast of Aruba in 1824, sparking the gold rush.

In the area of Rooi Fluit and Rooi Daimari, in the north of the island, gold began to be extracted from 1825. Later, mining was carried out to obtain the precious metal. Shafts were sunk and open pit mines were built. In 1829, the freedom of mining exploitation was declared. This meant that private individuals could acquire mining rights for a concession of fifteen guilders a year. The concession was awarded by lottery. In 1830, some 90 kg of gold had been shipped to the Netherlands.

In 1868, the government of Curaçao granted a 35-year concession to the Aruba Island Gold Mining Company of London. The company built a wharf and smelter in Bushiribana on the north coast, a wharf in the port of Oranjestad, and a 6-mile connecting road between the port and the smelter. Here the gold ore from the Ceru Plat mine and from the Kristalberg was processed. The Aruba Island Gold Mining Company existed until 1882, processing 2,938 tons of ore from 1868 to 1880 and extracting 2,075 troy ounces of gold from it.

Ruins of the mines of Balashi

From 1883 to 1889 gold mining was suspended, then resumed by the Aruba Agency Company. Cyanide leaching was introduced at Bushiribana to increase yield. In 1890, the Aruba Agency company ceased to exist.

Aruba Gold Concessions acquired a 40-year concession in 1899. Bushiribana was closed and a new smelter was built at Balashi. Aruba Gold Concessions developed the Mil Speranza mine, which was a modern gold mine for the time. Fresh air was brought into the mine workings by a mine fan. The ore was brought to the surface with a steam lift in the so-called skieps. After classifying the coarse stones, the ore was transported by locomotive to the gold smelter for further processing.

Several smelting furnaces, a crusher, and cyanide deposits were in place by 1903. In 1908, the Aruba Gold Concessions ceased operations.

Aruba Goud Maatschappij took over the concession as well as the Aruba Gold Concessions facilities and mines and operated mining until the end of World War I. During the war there was a shortage of dynamite, raw materials and chemicals to continue mining and smelting the gold. Shortly after World War I, the gold mines began to close. The facilities were already obsolete and Aruban politicians later relied on the "black gold" of the San Nicolás oil refinery and in the expansion of the port.

After World War II, gold mining was resumed on an experimental basis, but without success. The shafts were filled in and the spiral towers demolished.

Demographics

According to 2011 estimates, Aruba has a population of 106,113 with a population growth rate of 1.34%. 47% of the total population lives in urban areas, with the capital, Oranjestad, being the most populous city (33,000 inhabitants).

Outdoor market in Oranjestad

Ethnicities

Most of the population is descended from the Spanish and Dutch who dominated the island and from the black population, together with the Arawaks, who were the natives of the island and who were allowed to herd and raise cattle in the time of Dutch domination. Despite the fact that there are no Arawak indigenous people today, the ethnic heritage is very visible, being one of the strongest in the Caribbean. Recently, immigrants from Continental America and the Caribbean islands have arrived in search of work. People of 40 different nationalities live on the island.

According to the Aruba Health Monitor of 2013, 34% of its population was born outside the island, the main nationalities of foreigners in Aruba in order of importance consisted of people from Colombia (26.9%), the Netherlands (12.7%), the Dominican Republic (11.9%), Venezuela, Curaçao, Haiti, Suriname, Peru and China.

Languages

Notice of 2020 on the Covid written in English and Spanish in Oranjestad, Aruba

Multilingualism prevails, where the majority of the population can speak at least four languages (Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish and English). As in the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, the official languages are Papiamento (a mix of Spanish and Afro-Portuguese) and Dutch, the latter being the language of instruction in schools and government work, being the third most widely spoken language since its daily use is limited with only 5,300 people having it as their mother tongue.

In 2020, the population uses the following as their main languages: ^{[citation required]}

• Papiamento (official and national language) for 63.2 %
• Spanish 23.3 % (important for its proximity to Venezuela, taught in schools since the fifth grade)
• English (important for tourism, taught in schools from 4th grade) 7.7 %
• Netherlands (official used in public administration) 5.8 %

Religion

Catholic Church of San Francisco de Assisi

Most of the population is Christian, mainly Catholic

• Catholics - 80%,8%
• Evangelicals - 4.1 %
• Other Protestants - 2.5 %
• Jehovah's Witnesses - 0.8 %
• Methodists - 1.2 %
• Jews - 0.2 %
• Other - 5.1 %
• Not specified or unknown - 5.3% (2000 census)

Puente de Spaans Lagoen, which unites Oranjestad with San Nicolás.

Regions

For census purposes, Aruba is divided into 8 regions, which have no administrative functions:

Education

Aruba's education system is modeled after the Dutch education system. The Aruba government funds the national public education system.

The schools are a mix of public and private, including the International School of Aruba, Schakel College, and mainly the Colegio Arubano.

Aruba Department of Education HeadquartersDepartment di Enseñansa)

There are three medical schools, the American University of Aruba School of Medicine (AUSOMA), Aureus University School of Medicine, and Xavier University School of Medicine, as well as its own national university, the University from Aruba.

Health

The island has only one hospital, the Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital. Since 2001, Aruba has a general health insurance (AZV) for the entire population. In 2009, life expectancy at birth in the world was 68 years, 57 years in low-income countries and 80 years in high-income countries. In Aruba, in 2010, life expectancy at birth was 76.9 years. Women were expected to live 6.1 years longer than men, reaching 79.8 years, compared to 73.9 years for men.

Since the 1960s, when life expectancy was first calculated for Aruba, it has seen a steady increase until the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the XXI, when life expectancy in Aruba dropped by one year.

For the period between 2000 and 2010, the main causes of death of the Aruba population are diseases of the circulatory system, which account for 33% of all deaths during the aforementioned period. Diseases in this category include ischemic heart disease (ICD), cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and pulmonary heart disease, among others. The second cause of death is neoplasms, which represent 25% of the total deaths registered in the indicated period.

According to census data, in 2010, 31.8% of Aruba's population suffered from at least one chronic health condition.

Culture

Estatua de la Reina Guillermina, declared Cultural Heritage

The origins of the population and the location of the Aruban island have given rise to a mixture of cultures. The Dutch influence is visible, the majority of the population being of mixed Dutch and indigenous origin. Aruba's Carnival is one of the most important festivities on the island, and another important festivity is Saint John's Day (Dia di San Juan); both celebrations are known for their music and color.

Aruba has a diverse culture. According to the Bureau Burgelijke Stand en Bevolkingsregister (BBSB), in 2005 ninety-two different nationalities lived on the island. The Dutch influence can still be seen, as in the "Sinterklaas" on December 5 and 6 and other national holidays such as April 27, when Aruba and the rest of the Kingdom of the Netherlands celebrate the King's Birthday or "Dia di Rey" (Koningsdag).

On March 18, Aruba celebrates its National Holiday. Christmas and New Year are celebrated with the typical music and songs of the bagpipes for Christmas and the Dande for the New Year, and with ayaca, (Hallaca in Venezuela) punch cream, ham and other typical foods and drinks (which are also popular in Venezuela). Betico Croes' birthday is celebrated on January 25th. On June 24, Saint John's Day is celebrated. In addition to Christmas, the religious festivals of Ascension and Good Friday are also festive on the island.

Tourism from the United States has recently increased the visibility of American culture on the island, with celebrations such as Halloween in October and Thanksgiving in November.

Carnival

The Carnival party is also important in Aruba, as it is in many Caribbean and Latin American countries. Its celebration in Aruba began in the 50s, influenced by the inhabitants of Venezuela and the nearby islands (Curaçao, Saint Vincent, Trinidad, Barbados, Saint Martin and Anguilla) who came to work at the oil refinery. Over the years, the celebration of Carnival has changed and now starts from the beginning of January until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, with a grand parade on the last Sunday of the festivities (the Sunday before Ash Wednesday).

National holiday

March 18 is Aruba's national holiday, Anthem and Flag Day (Papiamento: Dia di Himno y Bandera). On March 18, 1948, the first impetus for the independence of Aruba was given through a petition. In 1976 this day was celebrated for the first time and the anthem (Aruba Dushi Tera) and the flag were also officially accepted.

National symbols

Archaeological Museum of Aruba

Formal and less formal landmarks of the island nation may acquire the status of national symbol. The Dividivi tree and the Fofoti tree are indispensable symbols of the Aruba landscape. Due to their special silhouette, images of these trees are frequently used in tourism promotion campaigns. Legal national symbols are the Aruban flag, coat of arms, and national anthem. Since 2012, the Aruban Burrowing Owl or Shoco in Papiamento has been added to these, and the Aruban National Anthem has been introduced.

Architecture

From the beginning of the colonization of the Netherlands to the beginning of the XX century in architecture in the most populated areas in Aruba it took the influence of the Dutch colonial style and also some Spanish elements from the Catholic missionaries present in Aruba who later also settled in Venezuela. After the rise of the oil industry and the tourism sector in the 20th century the architectural style of the island incorporated a more American and international. In addition, elements of the Art Deco style are still observed in several buildings in San Nicolás. So it can be said that the architecture of the island is a mixture of Spanish, Dutch, American and Caribbean influence.

Literature

Aruban Literature developed in the context of the literature of the former Netherlands Antilles and the Caribbean with works in both Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish and English. Among the authors that stand out are Henry Habibe, poet, writer and literary critic, who wrote The commitment in the Afro-Antillean poetry of Cuba and Puerto Rico (1985), the poetry in Papiamento Yiu di tera (1985) the study in Dutch De spirituele opgang van een Curaçaose dichter; Een verkenning van het poëtisch oeuvre van Luis Daal (1997 literally ''The Spiritual Ascent of a Curacao Poet; An Exploration of the Poetic Work of Luis Daal''), among many other works.

National Library of Aruba

Nydia Ecury was a famous Aruban writer, translator and actress from the town of Rancho. She published five poetry collections and translated plays by leading European and American playwrights into Papiamento, helping to develop the native dialect as a cultural language. Winner of numerous awards, including the Chapi di Plata literary award, Ella Ecury was distinguished as a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.

Some of his most notable translations are Gay bieuw ta traha sòpi stèrki (1968), which was an interpretation of Cosas de mamá y papá, by Alfonso Paso; Lie na granèl (1968), a translation of Il bugiardo, by Carlo Goldoni; E Rosa Tatuá (1971), an interpretation of The Tattoo of the Rose, by Tennessee Williams; and Romeo i Julieta (1991), based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The representation of these works stimulated other native authors to create new works that propagated Papiamento as a language of cultural expression.

In the early 1980s, Ecury wrote and translated for school use, children's stories in Papiamento and held an advisory position with the Aruba Department of Education, which she continued until 1987. In 1984, she co-wrote with Jenny Fraai Di A te Z: Ortografia ofisial di Papiamentu (From A to Z: Official Papiamento Spelling).

The National Library of Aruba has offices in Oranjestad and San Nicolás, has a copy center, reading centers, a digital information center, spaces for children's activities, and a vast collection of local and foreign newspapers, magazines, and books

Music and Dance

In Aruba, music plays an important role not only on holidays, but also during the carnival period and informal celebrations. Because the island is so small, Aruba's music has rich influences from Africa, Europe, and Latin America. However, the musicians have endowed the music with a distinctive Aruban/Antillean sound, so it is not the same thing. Carnival in Aruba lasts about two months and always ends on the Sunday following the start of Lent. During this period, carnival music can be heard everywhere throughout the day.

Baile di Cinta o Baile de la Cintas de origen Europea is a traditional dance also in Aruba

Calypso

Calypso was first developed in Trinidad in the late 18th century century and was later adopted in Aruba. Calypso is a quiet genre, commenting on life in Aruba in a satirical and comical way. The songs are sung interchangeably in English and Papiamento.

Roadmarch

Roadmarch is also native to Trinidad. This one is a little faster and more upbeat, and the lyrics and melodies are really catchy. There are always accompanying moves or dances that make it even more fun to dance during parades. The Road March is the "main genre" of the carnival in Aruba and is most often performed in carnival parades.

Steelband music is also part of carnival music, but is also played on informal occasions. Steel drums are made from empty oil drums and dents are made on them so that each dent gives a different tone when played. The size of the drum also plays an important role. The steel band is made up of about 10 people, who can play between one and six steel drums each.

Bands

Music bands are made up of all kinds of small and large drums and some wind instruments. Actually, the name of music band is not quite correct, since the drums are more important than the brass instruments themselves. The Aruban Brass Band sounds completely different from the European ones; It has very marked African rhythms. In Aruba, a carnival parade usually begins with the marching band.

Grave

A musical band playing in the Parada di Luz (Light Parade) during the Carnival of Aruba

In Curaçao, the tumba is the most important genre during Carnival. The tumba originated in Curaçao, but naturally it is also an important genre in Aruba during carnival. The calypso and the road march have a very different sound than the tumba. The tomb is clearly an African rhythm dance genre that came to the Netherlands Antilles at the time of slavery. In addition, the grave is not only identified with the carnival, but it is a genre that can be heard throughout the year.

Bagpipe

November is the time for the Bagpipes. The bagpipe is originally a type of folk music from western Venezuela with indigenous roots. It was introduced to Aruba in the 1960s and has been very popular ever since. Over time, it was influenced by salsa and merengue, among others. At first, the Bagpipes only sang traditional Christmas themes, but now other themes, such as love, are also part of the repertoire. The original instruments are the wiri, the drums and the fourth. Now the trumpets, bass and piano are also part of it. About twenty musicians make up the Gaita group and perform both in public and private events.

Dande

On New Year's Eve, it is an Aruban tradition that groups of musicians, the Dande, sing "Ai Nobe" going door to door all over Aruba to wish the family a Happy New Year. The instruments used are the fourth, the guitar, the accordion, the wiri and the tambú. The singer/songwriter sings with a hat in hand, into which money can be put for the musicians. The Dande also has an African rhythm.

Antillean Waltz

La Caha di orgel or caha di musica (Caja de Orgel or Caja de Música) is a hybrid instrument that forms part of the culture of Aruba

The Antillean waltz (Antilliaanse wals) has its origins in the European waltz, but has Antillean features. The West Indian waltz has a spicier rhythm and freer melody, giving it a softer way of dancing. Waltzes used to be given as gifts on special occasions, so they were composed especially for that event.

Mazurka

The mazurka originates from Poland, but already then it was slightly adapted to something that sounded more West Indian. Before, more mazurkas were composed, but now it is only danced and played in shows.

Dance

Danza is a collective name for various dance forms from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Central America, and the Netherlands Antilles, among others. We distinguish between dances of two and three parts. They usually start with a kind of intro, and then get more agile with a merengue in the next part. There are also dances without introduction. The two most important composers of Aruban classical music are Rufo Wever (1917-1977) and Padú Lampe (1925-2019). They also composed Aruba's national anthem, Aruba dushi tera.

Caha di Orgel

The Caha di Orgel or Caha di Musika (literally from Papiamento: Organ Box or Music Box) is an important part of Aruban folklore. He helped increase conviviality and also played an important role as curator of local music. The music recorded on the Caha di Orgel cylinder from 100 years ago still sounds exactly the same. The first cylinder pianos were made in Germany and quickly became popular throughout Europe.

Also known as piano organ, street organ or cylinder organ, and in Aruba cai' organ, caha di musica or tingilingi box. Actually, these organ names are misleading because no organ pipe is seen, but since it is derived from an organ with cylinders, the name has remained unchanged. It is a type of street instrument in which a rather simple piano mechanism is operated by turning a cylinder fitted with pins by means of a crank.

The first Caha di Orgel organs arrived in Aruba in the late 19th century and it wasn't long before the music of the Caha di Orgel Aruba will be engraved on your cylinders. In the Caha di Orgel not all types of music can be played because the cylinder only has half the notes of a normal piano. Among the music that can be played in it are the waltz, the mazurka, the dance and the tomb. The ensemble of the Caha di Orgel is made up of the organ itself, the person who turns the crank and the person who plays the wiri (metal rasp).

Reina Beatriz International Airport, Aruba

Transportation

Aruba's Queen Beatrix International Airport is located near Oranjestad. This airport has daily flights to several cities with destinations in the United States: San Juan, Puerto Rico; Miami Florida; Chicago, Ill.; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Houston Texas; Atlanta Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Washington DC; NY; and Boston, Mass. In addition, there are flights to Toronto (Ontario, Canada) and South America, with daily flights to international airports in Venezuela (Punto Fijo, Maracaibo, Barquisimeto, Valencia and Maiquetía), Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Germany, France, Spain, UK and most of Europe via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands). It also has direct flights to Italy, which began in November 2008.

Aruba's public bus transportation is provided by Arubus, a state-owned company that operates from 3:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. m. until 12:30 a.m. m. the 365 days of the year. There is also a private van service that provides transport services in certain areas such as the hotel area, San Nicolaas, Santa Cruz and Noord.

Ports

Faro California, north and west end point of Aruba.

Aruba has four ports: Barcadera, cargo port, Paardenbaai, cruise terminal in Oranjestad/Taratata, Commandeurs Baai (Commander's Bay) in Savaneta, and Sint Nicolaas Baai in San Nicolaas. Paardenbaai is home to all cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines, NCL, Holland America Line, Disney Cruiseships and many more; Approximately one million tourists enter through this port every year. The Aruba Ports Authority, managed and directed by the Aruba government, is the highest authority in these ports. It is a public company from the Caribbean island of Aruba with headquarters in Oranjestad.

The limited liability company was founded in 1981 and is wholly owned by the government of Aruba. The company, which employs 90 people, is responsible for the two ports of Oranjestad and Barcadera and operates the corresponding waterways, facilities and transport routes in the port area.

Stowage is carried out at both the cruise and cargo ports by a private contractor who has a long-term lease on the land based on a concession agreement with the Aruba government. The current stowage operator is the Aruba Stevedoring Company N.V. (ASTEC), which is responsible for the complete handling of cargo, that is, the loading and unloading of ships. The charging equipment is the property of ASTEC

The port of Barcadera is located about three miles southeast of the Oranjestad port facilities and has a quay about 4,000 feet in length. In 1999 and 2000, the APA began the rehabilitation. The port was upgraded with adequate facilities to handle containerized cargo and most ocean freight traffic was transferred from the port of Oranjestad to the port of Barcadera. At present, Oranjestad only receives cruise ships.

Bacadera also loads and unloads gas tankers, oil tankers and most RoRo vessels and general cargo volumes. The port of Barcadera is being converted into a container port with a free zone. The construction of the Barcadera Multicargo Terminal began in early 2014. The concessionaire ASTEC is in charge of the investments in the terminal's infrastructure.

APA is also responsible for the development of the former Oranjestad port site, whose master plan was approved by the Aruba government in 2019 as Port City Oranjestad. The land between the cruise terminal and Bushiri Beach is to be revitalized into an entertainment, residential and commercial area. Following the example of many port cities around the world, Port City will become an attraction for residents and tourists.

Public Transportation

Bus of the Arubus company, in charge of urban and intercity transport within the island of Aruba.

Arubus N.V. is the largest public passenger transportation company on the island of Aruba. The company is headquartered in Oranjestad and is 100% publicly owned by Aruba.

On September 28, 1979, the first public transportation company was created with the approval of the Aruba government. Then called the West-End Transportation Company, it began transporting passengers with a fleet of three buses. Subsequently, on October 1, 1979, the Government of Aruba created Arubus N.V. as its own transport company with 14 Volvo buses.

The company offers scheduled daily services to the main areas of the island. The fleet is also used for public school transportation and is leased in private charter operations. Over the last 35 years, Arubus has expanded its fleet from the initial 14 buses to a total of 42 new buses. In total, Arubus operates 18 routes and 10 school bus routes. On average, Arubus carries some 2.7 million passengers per year (not counting school bus services).

Your Fleet consists of

• 12 Yutong buses

• 15 Volvo buses
• 15 buses from other international manufacturers, such as Renault.

The tourist tram of Oranjestad with the cruise Britannia (the largest of the UK then) to the bottom

Tram

On February 19, 2013, Arubus launched its first tram line. Aruba's tram, officially called the "Arutram", (Tram van Oranjestad, Oranjestad Streetcar) runs every eight and a half minutes between the cruise terminal on the outskirts of Oranjestad and the city center. The three open rail vehicles, which use hydrogen as an energy source, are powered by fuel cells. The necessary power is generated from solar and wind power. The tramway does not require overhead wires. The historical-looking vehicles were built by Chatsworth, USA-based TIG/m-LLC. The ribbed rails set into the asphalt were manufactured by the Duisburg, Germany-based company TSTG.

• 1 TIG/m two-story tram carriages
• 2 tram cars from a TIG/m floor

Public services

Water- en Energiebedrijf Aruba, N.V. (W.E.B.) produces drinking water and energy. Average consumption in Aruba is approximately 35,600 m³ per day, and average power generation is 104 MW. In addition to production, WEB is also in charge of water distribution in the island. Elektriciteits Maatschappij Aruba, N.V. (N.V. Elmar) is the only electricity distributor on the island of Aruba. N.V. Elmar also offers its customers the opportunity to add solar panels or wind turbines. Along with W.E.B. Aruba N.V., both companies share the same parent ownership which is Utilities Aruba N.V.

Waste management

Water treatment plant: there are 3 around the island; Zeewijk, Parkietenbos and Bubali. The one in Bubali (near the bird sanctuary) is 4 decades old and is processing more than 8,000 m³/day. About double its original capacity of 4,500 m³ /day (due to the growth of Aruba).

Solid waste landfill: The main one (16 ha) has been in Parkietenbos since 1950. The capacity is 130 to 150 kilotons per year. Sometimes there is huge spontaneous combustion causing pollution.

Gas

AruGas N.V. is a private gas supply company on the Caribbean island of Aruba with monopoly status. Its headquarters are in Oranjestad. The company was founded in 1940.

In the past, gas cylinders were filled at the Lago refinery in San Nicolás, where the product was produced through refining processes. In the 1950s, Arugas created its own facilities to fill gas bottles. Since the refinery's closure, gas has been imported from various suppliers, such as the Gulf Coast or Trinidad and Venezuela. In 1996, Arugas built another plant in the port of Barcadera (San Nicolás-Zuid), where gas carriers dock. Arugas also maintains its own park of gas tanks there.

AruGas delivers the filled cylinders to the homes. On average, a household uses up to three gas bottles a year for cooking. The price of domestic gas is subsidized by the government. Gas is used for heating, air conditioning, cooking, or to power motors and generators.

Telecommunications

Aruba also has two telecommunications providers, Setar, the state company, and Digicel, an Irish company based in Kingston, Jamaica. Setar is the provider of services such as Internet, video conferencing, GSM wireless technology and terrestrial lines and offers the latest in telecommunications services. Digicel is Setar's rival in wireless technology, using the GSM platform.

Baseball stadium Joe Laveist, in San Nicolaas (eastern Aruba).

Sports

Diverse sports are practiced in Aruba, the country also has its own delegations in international competitions such as the South American Games, the Pan American Games and the Summer Olympics.

Baseball

On this island, as well as in nearby Venezuela and in several Caribbean countries such as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, the most popular sport is baseball followed by derivatives such as softball. The island was part of the Netherlands Antilles, who had their own national baseball team that played in the World Cup, until the Kingdom of the Netherlands dissolved this territory in 2010, separating the islands that made it up, although since 2006 Aruban players, Together with those from Curaçao, they participate with the Netherlands national team in the World Baseball Classic.

Baseball came to Aruba through political refugees from Venezuela in the 1930s and also with the arrival of oil workers from Venezuela from the Dominican Republic and the United States.

Centro Deportivo Libertador Betico Croes in Santa Cruz, Aruba

Football

Soccer is not that important on the island and has a modest number of practitioners. Those who want to play it professionally and at a high level must emigrate to the Netherlands; however, the island has its own national team, the Aruba soccer team, which usually plays at the Guillermo Próspero Trinidad Stadium, and a professional soccer league, the Aruba First Division, where the most winning teams are SV Dakota and SV Racing Club Aruba, with 16 titles each.

Recreational Sports

Due to increased tourism revenue, Aruba has been able to invest in sporting programs and events. Aruba has a recreational basketball team and its citizens are competitive in baseball and soccer. The sport fishing and kitesurfing industries are also competitive. have increased in recent years.

Basketball

Aruba's recreational basketball program consists of 16 teams, involving more than 200 players ages 12-18. Basketball clubs have also contributed to the development of sports teams on the island. One of the main goals of the program is for one of its athletes to win an academic scholarship to play in the United States. Aruba is also making efforts to certify one of its referees for FIBA international events.

Kiteboarding

Eagle Beach in Aruba.

Aruba's conditions are perfectly suited for year-round kite boarding. The island has favorable winds, with a daily average of 18.5 miles per hour. As Aruba's hot air is below average density, surfers can use smaller kites than would be needed elsewhere. Many world kite boarding tournaments are held in Aruba, and the kite boarding industry is one of the largest sources of income on the island.

Diving

Throughout Aruba there are several places to dive, including several dive sites with some historic dive sites such as the wreck of the SS Antilla (1939). The island is one of the largest points where you can practice this activity in the Caribbean.

Olympic Games

Prior to 1986, Aruban athletes competed in the Olympics representing the Netherlands, but since 1986, Aruba has fielded its own athletes. Aruba has competed in nine Summer Olympics, but has yet to win a medal. One notable Olympian, Miguel Janssen, currently holds the country's record for most long-distance running events. He participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics, as well as six different world championships for Aruba. Aruba has yet to participate in any Winter Olympic Games.

Local sports facilities

The Don Elias Mansur Ballpark is a multi-purpose stadium used primarily for baseball games. The Guillermo Próspero Trinidad stadium is another multipurpose stadium. It is used by the national football and athletics teams. The Tierra Del Sol Resort, Spa and Country Club is Aruba's only 18-hole golf course.

Monuments and places of interest

Natural bridge.

Personalities

• Dave Benton, a musician who won the 2001 Eurovision Festival representing Estonia
• Maurice Bishop, president of Granada
• Alysha Boekhoudt, Miss Universe Aruba 2015
• Xander Bogaertscurrently a Boston Red Sox MLB Shortstop player.
• Chris Comvalius, actress
• Betico Croes, politician, statesman, considered liberator of the island
• Hilward Croes. singer, composer, areglista and Grammy Awards winner
• Radhames Dijkhoff, former MLB player
• Denzel Dumfries, PSV Eindhoven footballer
• Matthijs van Eijck, Jabalina launcher
• Henny Eman, politician, statesman, first to serve as prime minister of Aruba.
• Julio Bernardo Euson, singer, won in Chile the Festival de Viña del Mar 1972, representing the Netherlands - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7HYOT0tn9E
• Bobby Farrell, musician (group Boney M.)
• Danna Garcia, Miss Universe Aruba 2019
• John Paul Heusser, composer and interpreter of national folk music
• Shanayah Howell Professional sportsman cycling bmx racing
• Percy Irausquin, fashion designer
• Jim Jones, American hip-hop artist
• Gene Kingsale, former MLB player
• Juan Chabaya Lampe, Composer of the National Anthem of Aruba
• Zizi Lee, Miss Aruba Mundo 2001 the first finalist of Miss World 2001, the maximum set by an archaic in that contest.
• Calvin Maduro, former MLB player
• Hedwiges Maduro, ex-futbolist, with steps by teams like Ajax, Valencia CF and Seville FC, among others.
• Taryn Mansell, Miss Aruba Universe 1996 and the first finalist of Miss Universe 1996, the maximum one reached by an archaic in that contest.
• Eugene Martineau, athlete representing the Netherlands.
• Roger Peterson artist
• Pete Philly, Dutch hip-hop artist
• Sidney Ponson, currently an MLB player playing in the lower leagues, for the Kansas City Royals
• Martin Quandus, tropical music singer colombo-antillana
• Jonathan Thiel, singer, composer whose artistic name is Jeon Arvani.
• Maarten Vorwerk, composer, producer of electronic music.