Some Aruba facts are actually quite interesting because although this is a very well-traveled area of the Caribbean, it still has a sense of mystery and ambiguity that many have never researched. It might surprise many visitors, even the most seasoned tourists to discover the most intriguing parts of Aruba’s history and culture.
Aruba is divided into sections. They include, Oranjestad, Palm Beach, Noord, Eagle Beach, Santa Cruz, San Nicholas and of course, Arikok National Park. This means there are an exorbitant number of things to do in Aruba that will fit virtually everyone’s lifestyle and sense of adventure. It is not simply a beautiful island; there are natural wonders and very famous landmarks as well.
The most popular and most recommended of the restaurants in Aruba lie in Oranjestad. Here you will find no less than 72 different eateries in this capital city of Aruba. Also, because the Caribbean is a mixture of so many cultures, the cuisine echoes flavors of Latin America, France and even North America.
Another one of the interesting Aruba facts revolves around the history of this beautiful island, which, up until 1976 had been constantly challenged with change and upheaval. The original inhabitants, known as Caquetio Indians lived here beginning in 2500 BC and lasted until 1000 AD. Next, Spanish explorer Alonso de Orjeda claimed discovery and set his eyes towards enslaving the indigenous population. The Dutch arrived next and in 1636 began a war that lasted 80 years with Spain.
Today, Aruba has 80 separate nationalities due to the turbulent past and you can see the influence of each one. There are subtle traces everywhere, from the architectural design of the Aruba hotels, music and local art to the celebrations of their traditions including Carnival.
Although the island is only 74.52 square miles in total area, it still manages to attract over 800,000 tourists each year. This is indeed curious information; however, one of the most unique Aruba facts is the type of visitors. Over 90 % come from North America.
An Aruba travel guide is one of the most respected positions, oddly enough. This occupation is prized and as a result, the training is extremely disciplined. Each one must learn traditional hospitality points that date back to the original inhabitants. This includes the motto of the island, which is “Take Care of Our Tourists.”
The island government plays an important role in educating their residents. All of the children are expected to attend private schools, which is paid for by the government, in full. The children are bi-lingual. This means in addition to their native language, each child is required to choose a second language during their primary education years.
All roads in Aruba are accessible by land vehicles and include public buses and taxi cabs with set prices. This instills confidence in all of the tourists who do not have a car about being taken advantage of. In addition, all-terrain vehicles, jeeps, scooters and motorcycles are also available.
Aruba has two coasts. Both complete with miles of exquisite beaches however the west coast is best suited for swimming and water activities. The beaches along the windward coast are much too undeveloped; combined with pounding waves and a very strong undertow makes them very dangerous.
Of all of the Caribbean islands, Aruba has the best history of dodging damaging tropical storms and hurricanes. In fact, only as few as 6 have reached 62 miles or closer since 1877. This helps keep the island and their residents free from calamity and destruction.
