| Picturesque. Exotic. Sociable. Welcoming. Historical. Just | | | | The pirates of the Caribbean: |
| a few of the words to chronicle the island of Aruba, | | | | The romance of Aruba's legend is partly due to its |
| which is as warm and happy as its individuals. Whether | | | | connection with pirates and buccaneers. After the |
| you need to experience a unique Caribbean vacation | | | | Spaniards left, the island became a sanctuary of sorts |
| or just need to get away from it all, Aruba is a | | | | for these seafaring bandits who attacked ships on |
| destination that will seize your heart and keep you | | | | their way to the Old World containing treasures. As a |
| coming back for more. | | | | testament to their presence, the ruins of a pirate castle |
| Where it is: | | | | still stands at Bushiribana. |
| Aruba is an island surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. It | | | | The culture of Aruba: |
| is located about 20 miles off the coast of Venezuela | | | | The individuals of Aruba are a proud mix of different |
| and was portion of the Netherlands Antilles. It became | | | | races and ethnic backgrounds. Although its official |
| an autonomous member in 1986. Its capital city is | | | | language is Dutch, the island's native language is |
| Oranjestad, located in the western end. | | | | Papiamento, a form of Creole dialect. It is a mixture of |
| The climate: | | | | Dutch, Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, Arawak |
| Aruba has a dry, sunny climate that maintains an | | | | Indian and African languages. Spanish is also a |
| regular annual temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. Its | | | | language that is spoken extensively in the island. |
| sunny climes are made cooler by trade winds and rain | | | | Business in Aruba is traded through the Aruban florin, |
| occurs principally in October and November. There's | | | | although U. S. Dollars are widely accepted. U. S. and |
| also no need to bother about strong weather since | | | | Canadian citizens do not have to offer passports nor |
| Aruba is unaffected by hurricanes, making your | | | | visas, although immigration requires birth certificates |
| vacation that much more enjoyable and worry - free. | | | | with an ID portrayal or an Alien Registration Card to be |
| A minimal history: | | | | presented upon arrival. Visitors from other countries |
| The initial inhabitants of the island of Aruba were | | | | are required to give both a passport and a visa. |
| Arawak Indians, recognized as Caiquetios who came | | | | Getting to and around Aruba: |
| from South America. Evidence of their culture is still | | | | Numerous air transportation services regularly ply the |
| found in different locations in the island - drawings are | | | | route from Venezuela to Aruba. Other common |
| found in caves at the Arikok National Park while | | | | airlines are American Airlines, KLM, Air Transat and |
| pottery and artifacts are kept in historical museums in | | | | Royal and Air Canada. Chartered flights are also |
| Fort Zoutman and William III Tower. | | | | available from Canada and from several cities in the U. |
| In 1499, the island was claimed by the Spaniards for | | | | S. |
| Queen Isabella and named it Oro Hubo, pertaining to | | | | There are many forms of transportation to use to |
| the gold they hoped to find there. The name Aruba, | | | | travel around Aruba, including limousines, jeeps, cars, |
| however, is believed to come from 'oibubai', an | | | | bicycles, motorcycles and scooters. Taxis are also |
| Arawak Indian expression meaning 'guide'. When the | | | | available. |
| Spaniards couldn't find gold, they decided to quit and | | | | Sights to see: |
| set their sites someplace else. | | | | Aruba is not all beach and sand and exotic flora and |
| Aruba was captured by the Dutch in the 1600s and | | | | fauna. It has numerous historical sites that are worth |
| became part of the Netherlands Antilles. Aruba | | | | visiting, including the William III Tower which is Aruba's |
| became one of the major satellites of the Dutch West | | | | oldest building. There is also an ancient 19th century |
| India Company. | | | | smelting plant in Balashi that was used for processing |
| In 1824, it was found out that the Spaniards should | | | | gold. |
| have stayed for the gold because it was discovered | | | | For diving enthusiasts, the southwestern coastline |
| on the northeastern coast near Bushiribana. Mining | | | | provides numerous sites - 42 in all. Beginners will |
| operations lasted until the early 1900s, when | | | | appreciate diving for the Pedernales wreck, which was |
| prospecting became unprofitable. Less than 10 years | | | | sunk by German torpedoes during WWII. Environment |
| later, oil replaced gold as an prominent commodity and | | | | - conscious divers can even participate in one of |
| put Aruba on the map as one of the largest oil | | | | Aruba's reef clean - up programs. |
| refineries in the world. | | | | There is an endless array of activities visitors can |
| The overabundance of petroleum closed the industry | | | | enjoy in Aruba - shopping, sightseeing, golfing, deep - |
| in 1985 and so it turned to its other major origin of | | | | sea fishing, horseback riding, snorkeling, windsurfing and |
| income, tourism. To this day, even after the reopening | | | | watersports - the list is virtually endless. With so much |
| of oil refineries in the early 1990s, tourism is still the | | | | to do in such a beautiful paradise, it's no wonder that |
| island's main source of fuel for its economy. | | | | visitors keep coming back to Aruba. Bonbini! |