Aruba
Aruba is located in the heart of the southern Caribbean, 15 miles (20 kilometers) off the coast of Venezuela. It is 19.6 miles (30 kilometers) long and 6 miles (9 kilometers) across, at its widest point, with an area of approximately 70 square miles (184 square kilometers).
Topography
Topography and vegetation are unusual for a Caribbean island. On the south and west coasts are miles of pristine white beaches that rank among the most beautiful in the world. The northeast coast, along the windward shore, is rugged and wild. The interior is desert like with a variety of cacti and dramatic rock formations. The island’s most famous trees are the watapana, or divi-divi trees, all permanently sculpted into graceful, southwest-bending shapes by the constant trade winds.
Aruba Map
Aruba lies at the heart of the southern Caribbean, about two-and-a-half hours by air from Miami, Florida and 15 miles north of Venezuela. The island is 19.6 miles long, and six miles across at its widest point, with a total area of 70 square miles. Aruba boasts year-round great weather, cooling trade winds and friendly people.
Population
Aruba's population of about 110,000 inhabitants is made up of a broad international mixture of well educated people with a pleasant nature and a zest for hospitality. The modern Aruban is generally of mixed ancestry, claiming Caquetio Indian, African and European roots. However, the face of Aruba is in continuous flux with the island, drawing individuals from all over the world. Today, the island claims over 40 different nationalities, which live and work peacefully on the island.
Island industries
The economy of the island had received a boost from gold, discovered in 1824, and aloe, which had been introduced to the island in 1850 and thrived so well in Aruba’s climate that the island was once the largest exporter of aloe in the world.
But true prosperity was not realized until 1924, with the establishment of the oil refinery of LAGO, a subsidiary of Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (later EXXON). However, as a result of the reduced worldwide demand for oil and an oversupply of refining capacity, Exxon decided to close its facility on March 31, 1985. The oil refinery re-opened in 1991 under the Coastal El Paso Oil Refinery Company. In March of 2004 the refinery was sold to Valero Oil Corporation.
The closing of LAGO had been an economic setback for the Aruban community. Faced with rising unemployment, the island directed its full energies into the tourism industry. The successful development of the island’s tourism product resulted in a three-fold jump in the number of visitors, increasing from 206,747 in 1985 to 641,906 in 2003. Today, tourism is the main pillar of the Aruban economy.
History & Culture
Aruba's first inhabitants were the Caquetios Indians from the Arawak tribe. Fragments of the earliest known Indian settlements date back to about 1000 A.D, as do the ancient painted symbols still visible on limestone caves found at Fontein, Ayo and elsewhere. Pottery remnants can still be seen at the Museum of Archaeology.
Some centuries later, the first European landed on Aruban shores. Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda is thought to have arrived about 1499. The Spanish promptly exported the Indians to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, where they were put to work in the copper mines.
In 1636, near the culmination of the Eighty Years' War between Spain and Holland, the Dutch took possession of Aruba and remained in control for nearly two centuries. In 1805, during the Napoleonic Wars, the English briefly took control over the island, but it was returned to Dutch control in 1816. Although Aruba continues to exist within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it functions independently.
Time
Atlantic Standard Time one hour ahead of New York except during Daylight
Savings when the time is the same.
Traffic tips
Driving is on the right side of the road, foreign and international driving licenses accepted.
Free parking throughout the island, no right turns on red light.
Getting to Aruba
Aruba’s state-of-the-art airport facility is the result of a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion project that has established the Queen Beatrix International Airport as a hub in the Caribbean. The island is served by a number of airlines, and connections can be made to any part of the world, U.S.-bound passengers benefit from their own terminal building that houses a U.S. INS/Customs facility, allowing flights from Aruba to enter the U.S. as domestic flights.
- U.S-bound passenger terminal building with 42 check-in counters and U.S. customs and immigration pre-clearance facilities
- International (non U.S.-bound) passenger terminal building with 24 check-in counters
- Three-level concourse with airline operational space and one ‘remote’ hold room at ground level
- Eight passenger boarding bridges with lounges at the second level and immigration corridor for arriving passengers at the third level
- Existing terminal building remodeled to form a new arrivals only hall with Aruba Immigration and customs, airport administrative offices and external ticket sales offices
- Flight information display system and terminal signage
ADA
The airport meets all standards set forth by the ADA (American Disabilities Act) this includes bathrooms,
hold rooms, check-in areas, etc. There is a fully equipped medical facility with highly trained
professionals. Arrangements can be made through the facility for special needs upon arrival and/or
departure as well as emergency treatment while at the airport. Personnel are also permitted aboard
aircrafts in emergencies and for evaluation.
For further information (297) 582-4800 ext. 300
Animals
All pets need a Certificate of Health from their veterinarian that has been issued within 30 days of departure. Pets from South and Central America are not allowed.
Currency
The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban florin, which is divided into 100 cents. Coins are in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents, one florin and 5 florins. The square shaped 50-cent "yotin" coin is probably Aruba's best-known coin.
The florin fluctuates with the dollar on the world market. Current exchange rates are Af. 1.77 to the U.S. Dollar which is widely accepted in Aruba, and banks may exchange other foreign currency.
Banking hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m except on major holidays. Most bank branches remain open during lunch.
ATM machines: Travelers with ATM cards bearing the CIRRUS or Plus System network logos can withdraw cash in Aruban florins. Some ATM Machines carry US Dollars as well. Home bank accounts will be debited in dollars at a favorable exchange rate, and a service charge will apply.
Calendar of Events Aruba
For one little island, there is so much to do in Aruba!
Click here for
the calendar of events