Aruba
By Zytlaly DelgadoArubaGeography Of ArubaThe island of Aruba is
part of the West Indies in the Caribbean SeaIt lies about 12
degrees north of the equator, about 18 miles off the Paraguana
Peninsula of Venezuela.
ClimateThe climate is tropical, with an average temperature of
82 degrees Fahrenheit. Yearly rainfall usually does not exceed 20
inches . Aruba lays outside the Caribbean hurricane belt.
History and Culture The first people to inhabit the island were
a nation of Arawak Indians called the Caiquetios who migrated north
from the Orinoco Basin in South America and settled here about 2000
years ago. In 1499, the Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda made his
way to this remote corner of the Caribbean Basin and laid claim to
the territory for Queen Isabella. According to one tradition, he
called the place Oro Hubo meaning there was gold there, but they
changed it to Aruba.
The islands population is about 112,000The capital is
Oranjestad, named after the Dutch Royal Houses of Orange.
Natural Bridge, it is 23 feet above sea level and spans more
than 100 feet. The bridge was a formation of coral limestone cut
out by years of pounding surf
Aruba's capital, Oranjestad, is on the southwestern coast. It is
the seat of the government and has a growing number of hotels.
Cruise ships, shopping malls, and tourists dominate the street
scene.In the traditional menu dishes is goat meat, fish, and
StobaNowadays, rice, chicken, beef, and fish are eaten most
StobaGoat Meat The traditional language is Papiamento.Dutch is
the official language in education and public affairs. The oil
industry, tourism, and subsequent migration brought English and
Spanish to the island and those are the second and third most
spoken languages.Life expectancy is 71 years for men and 77 years
for women.
GovernmentThe governor of Aruba is the head of the Aruban
government and the local representative of the Dutch monarch. The
Netherlands' Council of Ministers consists of the Dutch cabinet and
two ministers plenipotentiary, one representing Aruba and the other
the Netherlands Antilles. The council is in charge of joint foreign
policy, defense and justice, and the safeguarding of fundamental
rights and freedom.
Religion Eighty-six percent of the population is Roman Catholic
but church attendance is much lower.Twentieth century migration led
to the appearance of smaller groups such as Methodists, Anglicans,
Evangelists, Jews, and Muslims.
The FlagArubas flag was officially adopted on March 18, 1976,
along with official anthem Aruba Dushi Tera. The blue represents
the sea that surrounds Aruba; yellow is the color of abundance; red
is for love; and white is for their pristine beaches.
Sourceswww.aruba.com/the-island/culturewww.visitaruba.com/about-aruba/general-arubawww.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Arubawww.geographia.com/aruba/history.htm
