History: Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island’s economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry.

Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba’s request in 1990.

Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela.

Population: 112,162 (July 2015 est.)

Capital: Oranjestad

Climate: Tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation.

Language: Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 69.4%, Spanish 13.7%, English (widely spoken) 7.1%, Dutch (official) 6.1%, Chinese 1.5%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)

Religion: Roman Catholic 75.3%, Protestant 4.9% (includes Methodist .9%, Adventist .9%, Anglican .4%, other Protestant 2.7%), Jehovah’s Witness 1.7%, other 12%, none 5.5%, unspecified 0.5% (2010 est.)

Time Zone: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

*Source: CIA The World Factbook

 

From the Archives of Caribbean

Caribbean Islands

Caribbean Islands

Countries
By |
August 13, 2022

Mention the word Caribbean and most people think of Barbados, Puerto Rico, Antigua…crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. Great for a vacation, but moving there…just too expensive, right? Not necessarily. The Caribbean isn’t restricted to just those few islands. By broadening your horizons, and your perceived idea of “the Caribbean”, you can still find a home at an affordable price.

Saint Martin, Caribbean

Saint Martin, Caribbean

Beach Living
By |
November 27, 2018

It is rare to find such a diverse mix of cultures on an island as tiny as Saint Martin. Politically and strategically divided between the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the country is considered a unique Caribbean gem with its rich cultural heritage on one side, and the amazing oceanic landscapes on the other. The island is pretty popular with tourists, particularly between March and July,..

Saint Vincent, Caribbean

Saint Vincent, Caribbean

Countries
By |
November 26, 2018

Fondly called “Vincy” by its residents, St Vincent is the largest and most populous of the 32 islands and cays that comprise the little-known nation of St Vincent & the Grenadines. St Vincent is the northernmost island of the Grenadines (part of the Lesser Antilles) with St Lucia to the north and Grenada to the south. With the recent opening of the Argyle International Airport...

Retirees Sail the Caribbean for 8 Years On a $1,000-Per-Month Budget

Retirees Sail the Caribbean for 8 Years On a $1,000-Per-Month Budget

Gary and Julie discovered that learning how to sail, buying a sailboat, and cruising from island to island isn’t as difficult – or expensive - as they once believed. In fact, they wound up spending eight full years sailing the Caribbean on their own boat, without any major problems, and spent only $1,000 a month to do it.