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Interesting Facts
- The climate on Aruba is arid, but wildlife is still plentiful. Plants that thrive on the island are cactus, aloe and the distinctive divi divi tree. Reptiles flourish here, especially iguanas, which are numerous and accustomed enough to people that they will eat right out of your hand. Wild sheep and goats wander the entire island and are fairly street savvy – they'll move off the road when a car comes. Donkeys inhabit the more rugged parts of the island (and do not move in the face of oncoming traffic!). The island is also home to a wide variety of brightly colored birds, and during migration periods the avian population swells to more than 300 different species.
- While it's not as clearly defined as on some Caribbean islands, Aruba does have its own cuisine. Disparate influences (the Netherlands and the Caribbean) have led to an interesting gastronomic blend. Gouda and Edam cheeses feature prominently, as do tropical fruits such as plantain, coconut, mango and papaya. The most common meats include goat, conch and other seafood, and chicken, often combined with Madame Jeanette peppers (also called Scotch Bonnet peppers) and lively spices. Argentine style steakhouses have become quite popular in recent years as well.
- Most Arubans speak at least four languages. Dutch, as Aruba's official language, is frequently heard, and you'll also encounter Papiamento, the "official" language of the indigenous people. Portuguese and Spanish are common since the coast of Latin America is just a few miles away. And thanks to the thriving tourism industry, English is widely spoken.
- Off the northern tip of Aruba lies the wreck of the "California," which gained infamy in 1912 when her captain heard and ignored distress calls from the Titanic. As a result, the captain was imprisoned for negligence, and several years later, the "California" sank when she hit a submerged coral reef.
- The little island of Aruba is roughly 19½ miles long and 6 miles across at its widest point. It has less than 100,000 residents, the majority of whom live in the capital city, Oranjestad.
- Aruba is one of the "ABC islands," the chain of small Caribbean islands that also includes Bonaire and Curaçao.
- The second largest desalination plant in the world is located right here in Aruba. All the drinking water is safe and palatable!
- Pack an extra swimsuit and leave your slicker at home! Aruba's weather is most often described as "perfect," with an average daytime temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit – year-round! In the sunshine, that could be scorching, but the constant trade winds cool things off considerably. The island is also well outside the hurricane belt, and rainfall averages less than 20 inches per year.
- Aruba's Natural Bridge, an ocean-carved coral structure 25 feet high and 100 feet long, was the Caribbean's largest, but in September 2005 the constant pounding of the surf finally caused the bridge to collapse. There are seven additional natural bridges around the island, and although not quite as impressive, they are all photo-worthy.
- Aruba's first inhabitants were the Caquetios Indians, part of the Arawak tribe, who lived on the island as early as 1000 AD. Their paintings can still be viewed at the Fontein and Ayo caverns
