Aruba is a constituent island country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in the South Caribbean Sea and acquired its name. It lies 20 kilometers north of the Venezuelan peninsula , and 80 kilometers northwest of Curacao.
A relatively small island with an area of just 69.1 sq miles, and a population of approximately 108, 000 people. And its capital city is Oranjestad. Geographically located in South America, Aruba lies on the South-American continental shelf alongside Bonaire and Curacao forming a group referred to as the ABC islands, The Dutch Caribbean islands encompasses the ABC islands along with the other three, substantial islands, the SSS islands.
After the French and Spanish traveled across the island, The Dutch also got into the act of exploration. They were compelled to venture into forbidden waters of the Caribbean, known as Spain's mare clausum because of their need for salt. This was done in open defiance of Phillip II .
Sinch the 15th century the prosperous Dutch herring industry had been steadily expanding. The towns of Hoorn, Enkhuizen, and Medemblik were particularly active in the salt trade, thanks to their thriving fishing industries. The Dutch discovered high-quality salt in Setubal, the Iberian coast. This sea salt was good for preserving herring because of its magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride content. However the Eighty Years' War prompted Phillip II to halt the trade.
With the salt supply cut off the Dutch were forced to seek new routes. This quest led them the the West Indies. Things shifted when Oil refineries became a lucrative industry in Aruba, until its closure in 1985. This attracted workers from various parts of the region. Today the Arabian economy is an open system with tourism providing the largest percentage of the country's income. This has led to the industry's rapid over the last 80 years.
The official language on this island is, Papiamento and Dutch. Other languages spoken are, Spanish, French, and English.The ethnic groups are: Dutch 78.7%, Colombians 6.6%, Venezuelans 5.5%, Dominicans 2.8%, Haitians 1.3% and others 5.1%. It's GDP stands at 3.65 billion USD.
A relatively small island with an area of just 69.1 sq miles, and a population of approximately 108, 000 people. And its capital city is Oranjestad. Geographically located in South America, Aruba lies on the South-American continental shelf alongside Bonaire and Curacao forming a group referred to as the ABC islands, The Dutch Caribbean islands encompasses the ABC islands along with the other three, substantial islands, the SSS islands.
After the French and Spanish traveled across the island, The Dutch also got into the act of exploration. They were compelled to venture into forbidden waters of the Caribbean, known as Spain's mare clausum because of their need for salt. This was done in open defiance of Phillip II .
Sinch the 15th century the prosperous Dutch herring industry had been steadily expanding. The towns of Hoorn, Enkhuizen, and Medemblik were particularly active in the salt trade, thanks to their thriving fishing industries. The Dutch discovered high-quality salt in Setubal, the Iberian coast. This sea salt was good for preserving herring because of its magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride content. However the Eighty Years' War prompted Phillip II to halt the trade.
With the salt supply cut off the Dutch were forced to seek new routes. This quest led them the the West Indies. Things shifted when Oil refineries became a lucrative industry in Aruba, until its closure in 1985. This attracted workers from various parts of the region. Today the Arabian economy is an open system with tourism providing the largest percentage of the country's income. This has led to the industry's rapid over the last 80 years.
The official language on this island is, Papiamento and Dutch. Other languages spoken are, Spanish, French, and English.The ethnic groups are: Dutch 78.7%, Colombians 6.6%, Venezuelans 5.5%, Dominicans 2.8%, Haitians 1.3% and others 5.1%. It's GDP stands at 3.65 billion USD.