Background
Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
Location
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Area Comparative
Slightly larger than Washington, DC
Climate
Tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Natural Hazards
Hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened
Environment Current Issues
NA
Geography Note
A flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
