Aruba

Aruba is a well known vacation destination in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. Aruba is a part of the Lesser Antilles, and is located near its fellow “ABC” islands of Bonaire and Curacao. Aruba is still considered a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, although that nation’s overseas empire has shrunken substantially over the past few centuries. Antigua is a densely populated country, as it has a total area of less than seventy miles and hosts a population of more than a hundred thousand residents. Aruba, unlike many other nations in the Caribbean Sea, is generally immune to hurricane systems, as it lies outside the usual pattern of storm formation. Aruba also has a fairly arid climate, bordering on a desert landscape, although its coastal regions are still an ideal setting for a vacation. Aruba has a fairly high per capita GDP, on account of its thriving tourist industry and generally strong economy. The history of Aruba stretches back as far as 1000 AD, when archeological evidence suggests that the first permanent inhabitants, the Caquetios people, arrived from continental South America. The Caquetios remained the dominant culture on Aruba until the beginning of the sixteenth century AD, when Spanish settlers arrived on the island.

Although the islands were originally discovered by Amerigo Vespucci and Alonso de Ojeda, Spain maintained control over Aruba for more than a hundred years. By the middle of the seventeenth century, Aruba had fallen under Dutch control, which continues to control the island to the modern day. Aruba has a more diverse economy than many other Caribbean islands. Although tourism is still central to the economic well being of Aruba, the island also maintains active industries in gold mining, phosphate mining, aloe, and petroleum. Aruba has a very strong educational system throughout all levels of education. The most recent figures indicate that there are nearly seventy public primary school, a dozen secondary schools, and five universities in addition to several private schools, Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba, and All Saints University of medicine. Aruba is a low lying island with little natural freshwater deposited on the surface. The highest point on the island, Mount Jamanota is still relatively low, measuring in at six hundred and seventeen feet above sea level.

Aruba sees an extremely pleasant and warm climate throughout the year, with a median temperature usually remaining in the high eighties and rarely venturing into the low nineties. The capital of Aruba is the town of Oranjestad, which has a population of about thirty five thousand residents, and other major settlements include San Nicolas, Santa Cruz, and Savaneta. Aruba has an impressive and diverse cultural tradition, and regularly celebrates holidays such as Carnival by holding vibrant, lively festivals. The main gateway to Aruba is Queen Beatrix International Airport, although the island is also home to two major ports – Barcadera and Playa. In addition to comprehensive resorts and beautiful beaches, Aruba is home to attractions such as the Tierra Del Sol Golf Course, the Caves of Aruba, the California Lighthouse, Arikok National Park, and the Ayo and Casibari Rock Formations.