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Aruba History
The first permanent inhabitants in the history of Aruba were Arawak natives of South America, the Caiquetios, who traveled to the island and claimed it as their own two thousand years ago. The Museum of Archaeology in Oranjestad, an important storehouse of Aruba history and culture, holds remnants of this past in the past in the form of pottery shards and other every day artifacts. Europeans first made their mark on Aruba history in 1499, when Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda set eyes on the island and claimed it for his Queen Isabella. The absence of gold prompted the Spain to leave Aruba unsettled and uncultivated for a period of almost 200 years, with the history of Aruba continuing in much the same way as it had before being "discovered". Pirates entered the Aruba history scene over time, using the island as a hideout from which to plunder ships traveling back to the Old World. The history of Aruba felt a European influence again in the early 17th century. The Eighty Years War between Spain and Holland was coming to an end and both nations passed island possessions back and forth as last ditch efforts to strengthen their hold in the Caribbean. The course of Aruba history changed during this period, as the Dutch took the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) from the Spanish. With the exception of a brief time during the Napoleonic Wars, when Aruba was acquired by the British, the history of Aruba has since flown a Dutch flag. Today, Aruba is an independent nation under Holland's protection. The economic history of Aruba has seen the island rely on a number of industries, including oil throughout the 20th century, but tourism has evolved to become its main source of revenue. Aruba protects the resources that its visitors appreciate most - the beaches and dramatic terrain - with tight controls on development. If you're interested in Aruba history we recommend that you search our luxury Aruba villas. Click here to view a selection of the best villa rentals in Aruba. Aruba General Island Info Aruba Island History Aruba Airport Information Aruba Restaurants Aruba Water Sports Aruba Golf Aruba Activities Aruba Weddings Aruba Island Tours Aruba Transportation Aruba Security and Health Aruba Shopping Aruba Telecommunications Aruba Travel Aruba Map Aruba Weather |
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