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COPYRIGHT 2006 Hunter Publishing, Inc.
Vacationers discovered Aruba in 1957, when the first cruise ship, Tradewinds, arrived. The island has since developed into a top tourist destination. Easy to reach, it is just 18 miles from Venezuela's coast--yet far enough away to escape the hustle and bustle of civilization.
And, it's easy to explore, both above and below the sea. Just 20 miles long and six miles wide, its luxury hotels and dive boats line up neatly along the western (leeward) shore--minutes from popular reef and wreck dives. The shops and sights of the capital, Oranjestad, are nearby too.
Aruba's sub-seascapes encompass dramatic wrecks, rocky shoals, and reefs. Coastal scenery is impressive, with miles of white, soft sand beaches along the western and southern shores. Huge rocks dot the eastern windward coast where a natural coral bridge rises from the sea to 25 feet and stretches more than 100 feet long. On shore, windswept divi divi trees (watapana) beauty mark the rocky cliffs and wind-sculpted sand dunes.
Inland, Aruba presents a unique Caribbean landscape of cactus and aloe with gigantic boulders strewn about. Very low humidity and an average annual rainfall of only 20 inches explain the desert-like countryside. On the southeastern tip is Aruba's other city, San Nicolas.
Arubans themselves may be their country's best advertisements. Long secure in a solid economy with good education, housing and health care, the island's population of about 88,000 regard tourists as welcome guests. Even the national anthem celebrates a high regard for hospitality. The phrase "Grandeza di bo pueblo ta su gran cordialidad" translates as "The greatness of our people is their great cordiality." Thousands of past visitors would agree.
History
Aruba's history is a tale of varied influences. The Spaniards had relatively low regard for the land they discovered and claimed in 1499. Like its neighbors, Bonaire and Curacao, Aruba was officially declared an isla inutil (useless island). The Spanish found Arawak Indians of the Caiquetio tribe living there, just as they had in the Stone Age, and promptly shipped them off to Santo Domingo to work in the gold mines. About 11 years later, its discoverers turned Aruba into something of a large cattle ranch and some of the original inhabitants were brought back to work it.
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For awhile the Indians regained control of their land, but in 1636 it was taken over by the Dutch, who have remained in power ever since. Through 300 years of changing economic fortunes and various immigrations, the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) were part of the Netherlands Antilles, whose governor reported directly to the queen.
Europeans began to immigrate to Aruba in the late 1700s. At this time, Oranjestad was founded and named after the reigning Royal House of Orange. During the 19th century, many Venezuelans arrived, adding a decidedly Spanish influence to the small country.
In 1824, gold was discovered in Aruba. Visitors can still see remains of the smelting works at Bushiribana and Balashi. When gold mining no longer proved profitable, Aruban aloe plantations flourished. Then, in the 1920s, the oil industry arrived. The Lago refinery, a subsidiary of Standard Oil, was established just outside San Nicolas and remained the island's most important employer until its closing in the spring of 1985. Its influence is likely to be permanent, however. The resulting influx of Americans and others has made English a prominent second language, and Aruba's main thoroughfare, L.G. Smith Boulevard, is named for Lago's one-time general manager.
Politically, Aruba has made quiet and peaceful change. On January 1, 1986, the nation left the Netherlands Antilles to become a separate entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Now Aruba has its own governor, appointed by the Queen. Local government is democratic, with an elected 21-member parliament and Council of Ministers.
Tourism in Aruba began in 1959 when the first hotel/casino, the Aruba Caribbean (restored to its former prominence by the Radisson company), opened its doors. However, the world truly began to discover the island in the mid 1960s. Hotels, casinos, restaurants, dive boats, shops and amusements have been popping up ever since.
Diving & Snorkeling Sites
Except for Renaissance Island, access to most of Aruba's dive and snorkeling sights is easiest by boat. All are a few minutes ride from shore on the leeward side, along the west and south coasts. Dive shops divide the area into north end (wrecks and rocks), and south end (reefs and artificial reefs). Three spots on the south shore are close enough to swim to, but attempting to find the channels and cuts through the shallow reefs is futile without a local guide.
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