People are surprised to find that Aruba is considered a desert despite its tropical ambience and moderate, temperate climate. With a yearly average of only 20 inches of rainfall, Aruba is the driest island in the Caribbean. It is not uncommon to see barren landscapes full of cacti, features typically associated with the desert, on this Dutch island.
The nation currently remains a constituent country of the Netherlands and continues to have strong cultural ties to the Dutch since three quarters of residents are of European ancestry. Dutch and Papiamento are Aruba’s official languages. Papiamento is a creole language unique to the Caribbean that evolved from a mixture of African, Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish and indigenous languages.
- Most of Aruba is desert. All of the island’s resorts are located on the southern beaches, where there is lusher land.
- Aruba’s many ochre-colored petroglyphs are just as much of a mystern as the rest of the world’s rock drawings. They are drawn inside caves and rock formations all over Aruba.
- Caquetio Indians, who came from the South American mainland, were the first to inhabit Aruba. They lived on Aruba from 2500 BC-1000 AD and fished along the coast for survival.
- Aruba is known for its iconic and wind-shaped divi-divi trees that are scattered along the landscape, surrounded by miles of clean, white beaches.
- Aruba features a mix of Dutch, English, Spanish, Portuguese and African culture, customs and values.
- Aruba is one of the wealthiest Caribbean nations and draws almost 80 percent of its GDP from tourism. As a constituent of the Netherlands, Aruba receives assistance from the European Union as well.
- New Year’s Eve is a big holiday in Aruba. Millions of fireworks light up the sky when the clock strikes midnight.
- Approximately 20 percent of Aruba’s land is preserved for its national park.
- Despite a population only slightly above 100,000, Aruba is one of the world’s most diverse countries. Its small population includes almost 100 different ethnic communities.
- The island is near the Venezuelan coast and is experiencing an influx of Latin immigrants. It is not uncommon to hear salsa music and find Venezuelan cuisine on Aruba.
- Aruba’s water is distilled in the world’s second largest saltwater purification plant, so it is known as some of the most refreshing tap water in the world.
- The Aruban education system promotes bilingualism. Instruction is in Dutch, but schools require students to study English, French and Spanish as well. Most students are fluent in 2-4 languages by graduation.