Aruba

Region: Central America and Caribbean

Official language: Dutch, Papiamento

Population: 125,063 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Aruban(s) (noun), Aruban; Dutch (adjective)

Land area: 180 sq km (69 sq miles)

Capital: Oranjestad

National anthem: "Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country), by Juan Chabaya 'Padu' Lampe/Rufo Inocencio Wever

National holiday: Flag Day, March 18 (1976)

Population growth: 1.08% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC –4

Flag: The Aruban flag consists of a four-pointed, red star and two yellow stripes against a bright blue background. The four points on the star symbolize the island’s diverse population. In addition, the star against the blue background symbolizes Aruba itself: a tiny island in the middle of the ocean.

Independence: Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal system: civil law system based on the Dutch civil code

The island of Aruba is located in the southern Caribbean Sea and was initially settled by members of the Arawak tribe who likely migrated from Venezuela. Spanish explorers discovered Aruba in 1499 and colonized the island before the Dutch took control in 1636. Aruba seceded from the Dutch Antilles in 1986 and became an autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography. 

Principal Cities by Population

• Oranjestad: 30,000 (2018 est.)
• San Nicolaas: 15,284 (2010 est.)

Topography

Aruba is a desert-like island whose terrain is generally flat and rocky. Only a few small hills can be seen dotting its landscape, and its native vegetation is both sparse and scrubby. Aruba’s highest point is the peak of Mount Jamanota, which rises 188 meters (approximately 617 feet) above sea level. The island’s 68.5 kilometers (approximately 42.6 miles) of coastline boast pristine sand dunes on the southwestern side. In contrast, they are marked on the northeastern side by coral and limestone cliffs, as well as by deep natural caves carved out of rock. Until its collapse, a one-hundred-foot-long arch known as the Natural Bridge, formed by the action of waves beating against coral limestone, extended over the sea on the northeast coast. The largest of eight similar formations on the island, the Natural Bridge was destroyed by waves in 2005. In addition, several imposing clusters of giant boulders can be seen further inland. Known as the Casibari Rocks, the precise origin of these mysterious rock formations is unknown. The Ayo Rock Formations, a similar site featuring stone boulders, was considered a sacred site to the native inhabitants.

Cultural Sites & Landmarks

Aruba’s most popular sites are its many attractive beaches, including Arashi Beach, Boca Catalina, Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, Rodgers Beach, and Baby Beach. All the beaches located along Aruba’s southern coast boast calm, gentle, and warm waters that provide excellent conditions for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and other recreational activities. In contrast, the beaches on the island’s northern coast, such as Dos Playa and Boca Daimari, have rougher waters and more rugged shores. Nevertheless, their impressive sand dunes and rocky cliffs offer striking and picturesque vistas, and the stronger waves tend to attract experienced surfers. In addition, two small private islands whose facilities are operated by resort owners—Renaissance Island and De Palm Island—are located in the harbor area near Oranjestad.

Aruba’s natural beauty is itself an attraction. Arikok National Park is an expansive ecological preserve that is marked by unusual lava, quartz diorite, and limestone formations. The park contains several shelters left behind by early Arawak settlers, as well as rock and cave paintings dating back to the same period. Aruba is also rich with fascinating natural geological sites. Among these are the Casibari Boulders, a mass of gigantic igneous rocks located north of Mount Hooiberg; the majestic and mysterious Ayo Rock Formations, which are covered in ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings); and the shallow, twisting hollows of the Guadirikiri, Fontein, and Huliba caves.

One of the most charming historical landmarks in Aruba is the Chapel of Alto Vista, a structure that is perched on a cliff overlooking the northern coast. This small chapel was built in 1750—it underwent major repairs in 1953—and is painted a sunny, mustard-yellow color. It also has distinctive arch-shaped windows and doors. The Roman Catholic church of Santa Ana, located in Noord, is another notable building. Santa Ana dates back to 1776 and was constructed in a neo-Gothic style. The church’s interior contains an impressive wooden altar that was donated by the Dutch.

Hudishibana, an area in the northernmost tip of the island, is home to another interesting piece of Aruban history: the California Lighthouse. Erected in 1910, the old stone lighthouse was named after an American passenger vessel that sank not far from the northern coast of Aruba. Two remnants of Aruba’s gold rush period are also open to visitors: the Bushiribana and Balashi Gold Mill Ruins.

Aruba’s most well-traveled historical landmark is perhaps its Old Dutch Windmill. The windmill, which is a peculiarity in the Caribbean, dates back to the early years of the nineteenth century, when it was used first as a means of water-draining, and then to power a grain mill. After it was damaged in a storm, the windmill was transported to Aruba in 1960. It has since housed a series of restaurants and bars.

Aruba’s three major museums, the Historical Museum, the Archeological Museum, and the Numismatic Museum, are all located in Oranjestad. The Historical Museum is housed inside Fort Zoutman, a structure built by the Dutch in the late eighteenth century to help protect the island from raids by pirates.

Government Structure

Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but since 1986 it has had what is known as “status aparte,” or “separate status.” In effect, the island has been virtually self-governing. While its government enjoys autonomy on all domestic issues, the Dutch government is ultimately responsible for administering Aruba’s defense system and coordinating its foreign relations.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with power passing along hereditary lines. The official head of state in Aruba is a governor appointed by the Dutch queen; the governor’s term lasts six years. Aruba also has a cabinet, or Council of Ministers (the executive branch of government), consisting of eight members. The Council of Ministers is overseen by the prime minister and deputy prime minister, who are each elected by the twenty-one-member Aruban Staten (the legislative branch of government). The members of the Staten are elected by a popular vote to terms that last four years.

Aruba’s legal and judicial system is based on Dutch law. Any legislation enacted in the Netherlands must be followed here. This occasionally causes some controversy, since Aruba is a much more socially conservative country than the Netherlands. For example, in 2005, two women were forced to battle for the right to marry in Aruba despite the fact that same-sex marriages are legal in the Netherlands. Aruba has its own Common Court, but its rulings can be overturned by the Dutch Supreme Court.

Fascinating Facts

• The annual celebration of Carnival did not begin taking place on Aruba until 1954. It was first initiated by a group of enthusiastic celebrants from the neighboring island of Curaçao, whose own festivities had been officially canceled in solemn recognition of the devastating floods that had struck the Netherlands that year. Disappointed but resourceful, the Curaçaoans decided to coordinate an alternate celebration on Aruba. Carnival has been an essential holiday on the island ever since.
• Aruba has hosted the internationally renowned Aruba International Film Festival since 2010.
• Most Arubans speak at least four languages: the native language Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, and English.

Bibliography

“Aruba.” The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 21 Jan. 2025,www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aa.html. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

“US Relations with Aruba.” US Dept. of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, 1 Oct. 2018, www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-aruba/. Accessed 12 Sept. 2019.

Henderson, James. Caribbean and the Bahamas. Guilford: Globe Pequot, 2005. Print.

Houston, Lynn Marie. Food Culture in the Caribbean. Westport: Greenwood, 2005. Print.

Lindley, Ken. Aruba. Hoboken: Wiley, 2005. Print.

Nalepa, Michael, and Vernon O’Reilly-Ramesar. Aruba. New York: Fodor’s, 2007. Print.

Pons, Frank Moya. History of the Caribbean: Plantations, Trade, and War in the Caribbean World. Princeton: Markus Wiener, 2007. Print.

Rogonzinski, Jan. A Brief History of the Caribbean: From the Arawak and Carib to the Present. New York: Plume, 2000. Print.