Welcome to Aruba, my 18TH Territory out of a global total of 71 and the 16th island of our Caribbean Cruise. After my blog photos below are the key statistics, brief history and interesting facts about this destination.
Aruba is unlike any of the other 15 islands we have seen so far. It is not overly green. It is not lush. It has no rainforests. It has no jungles. Instead, it has zillions and zillions of cacti and these characteristic trees known as Divi Divi Trees. It has heaps of craggy basalt and granite rocks and is officially classified as a semi-arid desert island !!! And it makes sense, since Aruba was created a million years ago by an underwater volcano generating a huge eruption. We saw all of this straight off the bat leaving the Hertz at the Renaissance at 9am. The island has caves and rock formations as well as beaches. We visited the following: Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Arashi Beach, California Lighthouse, Gold Ruins, New Small Natural Pool, Ayo Rock Formation, Quadirikiri Cave, Seroe Colorado Natural Bridge, Sero Colorado Lighthouse, Baby Beach (Pet Cemetery).
Yes, you read correctly. Our first strange attraction was a big cemetery for pets, just beyond Baby Beach and in a wild place at the southernmost end of the island between rocks and see. I did not know it was there – we found it by accident. I noticed the small crosses, decorations and makeshift kennels and quickly realised what it was. So weird. The Quadirikiri Cave was worthwhile given its many coloured minerals in the cave walls. Ayo Rock was in fact many weathered rounded granite boulders resembling a mini Kata Juta (Olgas). The beaches on the west coast were rough but those on the east were dreamy. The wind was up in general so there was a little chop when I took my 2km swim at Eagle Beach and I must say that this beach and Palm Beach are overcrowded and have too many high-rise hotels. Driving around Oranjestad (capital) reminds me of California and many of the buildings have that Californian bungalow look.
This island is not your classic lush Caribbean island but it does have an austere look all of its own and certainly there is a lot to see in terms of natural attractions as you will now see for yourself…
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ARUBA IN A NUTSHELL:
• Total Population (2025): 108,184.
• Median Age: 41.5 years.
• Life Expectancy: 78.3 years.
• Urbanization: 44.7% of the population resides in urban areas.
• Languages: Papiamento (69.4%) and Dutch (6.1%) with some English and Spanish.
• GDP (2025): $USD4.45 billion.
• GDP Per Capita (2025): $USD55,056.
• Exports: Tourism remains the primary industry, accounting for the majority of economic activity, followed by financial services and petroleum bunkering.
• Currency: The Aruban Florin (AWG), pegged at 1.80 AWG to 1 USD.
• Land Area: 180 square kilometres.
• Climate: Tropical semi-arid, with an average annual temperature of 28°C (82°F).
• Energy: Roughly 85% of electricity is generated from fossil fuels with15% coming from mainly wind.
BRIEF HISTORY OF ARUBA:
Aruba’s history is defined by its transition from an indigenous settlement to a strategic colonial outpost, and finally to a prosperous autonomous nation.
• Originally inhabited by the Caquetio Indians from South America as early as 2500 BC.
• The Caquetio left behind red cave drawings, pottery, and stone tools.
• Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda arrived and claimed the island for Spain in 1499.
• The Dutch seized Aruba from Spain in 1636 and set up a naval base and salt supply.
• Between 1806 and 1816, the island fell under British rule during the Napoleonic Wars before being returned to the Dutch.
· A brief mining boom followed in 1824 with the discovery of gold near Bushiribana.
· The opening of the Lago Oil and Transport Company refinery in 1924 transformed the economy and attracted global immigrants.
· World War II: Aruba's refineries were critical fuel suppliers for the Allied forces, leading to a failed German submarine attack in 1942.
• Status Aparte (1986): Led by activist Betico Croes, Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles to become an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• A 1990 plan for full independence was indefinitely suspended at Aruba's request, preferring to remain under the Dutch crown for defence and foreign affairs.
• Following the closure and downsizing of oil refineries in the late 20th century, tourism became the primary economic driver.
• Political Milestone (2017): Evelyn Wever-Croes was sworn in as Aruba’s first female Prime Minister.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ARUBA:
Aruba is known as "One Happy Island”:
1. The Spanish founders called Aruba “La Isla de los Gigantes” (Island of Giants) because the native Caquetio Indians were significantly taller than the Europeans.
2. Aruba’s white sand is cool enough to walk on barefoot all-day because it is composed of crushed coral and shells that do not absorb heat.
3. No hurricanes here with more sunny days than almost any other island in the region.
4. The island’s Divi-Divi and Fofoti trees act as natural compasses because they permanently lean toward the southwest.
5. Most Arubans speak at least four languages: Papiamento (a local Creole), Dutch (the official language), English and Spanish.
6. Aruba was once the world's largest exporter of aloe vera with the oldest plant founded 1890.
7. Venezuela is only 22km away and visible on clear days from Haystack Mountain.
8. Aruba has no rivers or lakes. Its tap water is distilled from seawater and is considered some of the highest-quality, best-tasting drinking water in the world.
9. Aruba is known as the "Wreck Diving Capital of the Caribbean" featuring a fully intact 400-foot German freighter sunk in WWII.
10. Aruba is classified as a semi-arid desert because cacti & rugged rock formations dominate.
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