Aruba

Aruba is a small island in the southern Caribbean Sea, close to Venezuela. It is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba is famous for its white sand beaches, warm sunshine, and constant gentle breezes. The island is one of the most popular vacation spots in the Caribbean.

Land and People

About 107,000 people live in Aruba. The capital is Oranjestad. The island is only about 20 miles long and 6 miles wide. Unlike many Caribbean islands, Aruba is dry and sunny with a desert-like landscape away from the beaches.

Culture and Fun Facts

Aruba has a mix of Dutch, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. The local language, Papiamento, is a blend of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and African languages. The divi-divi trees on the island are bent sideways by the constant trade winds. Aruba is outside the hurricane belt, so it rarely gets hit by storms.

Fun Facts

• Aruba is one of the sunniest islands in the Caribbean and sits outside the hurricane belt.
• The divi-divi trees of Aruba all lean in the same direction because of the constant trade winds.
• Papiamento, the local language, mixes Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and African languages together.

Did You Know?

Aruba sits outside the Caribbean hurricane belt, which means it almost never gets hit by hurricanes. This makes it one of the safest and sunniest Caribbean islands to visit.