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Travel Aruba

Official Name of Aruba: Aruba
Government type in Aruba: part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Capital of Aruba: Oranjestad
Primary Language in Aruba: Dutch, Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Currency in Aruba: Aruban guilder/florin

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. 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).