Looking to boost your knowledge of the Caribbean and improve your chances at the next pub quiz? Why not start with these 20 fun facts about Aruba!
1. Where is Aruba, anyway?
Situated on the American continent, Aruba is an island in the Southern Caribbean Sea, 18 miles (29 kilometres) north of the coast of Venezuela. Its coordinates are 5000° N, 69.9667° W.
2. Surprisingly, not many people live here!
Aruba’s population reached 107,766 in 2020.
3. It’s also relatively small.
It has a total area of 74.5 square miles (193 square kilometres).
4. It has Dutch connections.
You might be surprised to find out that Aruba’s official languages are Dutch and Papiamento.
Until 2010, Aruba was part of Netherlands Antilles – Aruba is now a country in its own right.
5. What’s the capital of Aruba?
Aruba’s capital is Oranjestad (translated to ‘Orange Town’ in Dutch), a bustling and metropolitan sea port with a population of 28,295 (2010).
6. Life is long and plentiful here.
The average life span here is 76 years (2017).
7. Here’s what you can spend.
The currency is called the Aruban Florin.
8. Aruba is a little drier than most islands in the region.
Unlike much of the Caribbean region, Aruba has a dry climate and an arid landscape heavily speckled with cacti, meaning the humidity is low and rainfall is minimal. Sounds perfect to us!
To elabourate, it has an average annual temperature of 28°C (82°F), but the trade winds mean it doesn’t get too hot.
9. It’s a paradise nation!
Aruba is surrounded by clear blue seas and pure white sand… take us, take us now!
10. There are lots of adventures to be had out here!
Whilst exploring, keep your eyes out for iguanas, goats, donkeys, strange boulder formations and the remains of a Spanish gold mine!
It has been said that Aruba’s name has been linked with the Spanish phrase ‘oro huba’, which means ‘there was gold’, though more likely, it probably comes from two Carib Indian words ‘ora’ meaning ‘shell’ and ‘oubao’ meaning ‘island’.
11. It’s been inhabited for millennia.
It’s thought that the Caquetio Indians of the Arawak tribe fled to Aruba perhaps as long as 4000 years ago!
12. Europeans discovered Aruba back at the turn of the 16th century.
Alonso de Ojeda, a Spanish explorer, was the first European to land on the Island in 1499.
13. Pirate protections are still in place!
Aruba’s oldest building is called Fort Zoutman and was built in 1798 to protect Oranjestad from pirates.
14. Tourism and construction are big players here.
Tourism is the biggest provider of the country’s income; due to the boom in tourism over the past 80 years, construction has become a successful industry too.
15. An apt name!
‘One Happy Island’ is Aruba’s slogan and it adorns the licence plates of Aruban cars!
16. Get dialing!
Want to call your friends in Aruba? You’ll need to use the international dialing code +297.
FAQs about Aruba
What is Aruba best known for?
Aruba is likely most famous for its amazing beaches! The postcard-perfect scenes here are absolutely gorgeous.
Is it safe to visit Aruba?
Aruba is considered fairly safe on the whole, but as always, do take care when it comes to looking after your possessions!
What is the hottest month in Aruba?
Aruba’s warmest month tends to be September, believe it or not - so book those flights!
Do you know any fun facts about Aruba? Share them in the comments below!
