Where does Aruba get its water from?
Since Aruba does not have any significant natural sources of fresh water, the water is distilled in a saltwater desalination plant. The plant is referred to as W.E.B., which is an acronym for the Dutch Water- en Energiebedrijf (Water and Energy Company). There are many requests to tour the plant.
What are some interesting facts about Aruba?
General facts about Aruba. Aruba is one of the three ABC islands in the southern Caribbean, miles off the coast of Venezuela. Aruba is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and has a population of approximately 100,000 inhabitants. The island is 21 miles (33 km) long and has an area of about 75 square miles (193 km2).
What is the weather like in Aruba?
Aruba has an average annual temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius). Constant trade winds make it more comfortable during the day. However these trade winds tend to diminish slightly during the months September through December. In terms of rainfall, October through January tend to be the wettest months.
What are the main ports in Aruba?
Aruba has three ports: Barcadera, the main cargo port, Paardenbaai, the cruise ship terminal in Oranjestad, and Commander's Bay in Savaneta. Paardenbaai services all the cruise-ship lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises and Disney.
Can you swim in the ocean in Aruba?
With its calm waters and clear seas, it's a lovely spot for a swim, and it also offers some of the island's best snorkeling from shore. Blue tangs, file fish, and butterfly fish dart among the rocks and soft corals, and the sandy bottom in the middle of the beach is a popular swimming area.
Are there sharks in Aruba waters?
Although there are sharks in Aruba, they mainly frequently the deep ocean, making the shallow waters and white, sandy beaches safer for swimming and snorkeling. If you head a little further out into the ocean water, you might catch a glimpse of one of the more common shark species in the area.
Where does Aruba get its water from?
saltwater desalination plantSince Aruba does not have any significant natural sources of fresh water, the water is distilled in a saltwater desalination plant. The plant is referred to as W.E.B., which is an acronym for the Dutch Water- en Energiebedrijf (Water and Energy Company).
Can you drink Aruba water?
The water in Aruba is safe to drink, so your water supply is right there in your hotel room. Can you drink the water in Aruba? Yes, you can. Since there is no source of freshwater on the island, seawater is distilled in a saltwater desalination plant.
What should you avoid in Aruba?
10 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Aruba VacationDon't plan your trip to Aruba around hurricane season. ... Don't stay only on Eagle or Palm Beaches. ... Don't just stick to bottled water in Aruba. ... Don't think flamingos are native to Aruba. ... Don't pack formal clothing for your Aruba getaway. ... Don't ignore Aruba nightlife.More items...•
Are there wild monkeys in Aruba?
Welcome to Aruba. A tiny 19.6-mile long and six-mile wide island off the coast of Venezuela. It's home to camels, monkeys, emus and the occasional anaconda.
Does Aruba have a sewer system?
Aruba has three (3) treatment plants for sewage, well water, and rainwater. The facility at Bubali is the oldest but also treats the most water volume. This facility receives 8000 cubic meters of water daily, even though the facility was built to process 45000 cubic meters.
Is there a desert in Aruba?
Our 'Mondi' (name for Aruba's desert-like woods) The main aspects are the rough hills of the volcanic Aruba lava formation, the mysterious rocks of the batholithic quartz-diorite/tonalite, and the limestone rocks from fossilized coral.
Is there a volcano on Aruba?
Hooiberg - which translates to Haystack - is a volcanic formation which 165 meters above sea level, and is located at the approximate center of Aruba. Although Hooiberg seems like the highest point of the island it is in fact the second highest.
Is it rude to tip in Aruba?
In Aruba it's not mandatory to tip, but it's your choice if you do so. However, some restaurants and bars add service charge to your bill. Usually, this adds up to about 10 to 15 percent on food and beverages. If you really like the service, you can still tip, of course!
Can you see Venezuela from Aruba?
Aruba is one of the Lesser Antilles islands located in the Southern Caribbean Sea. The island is located miles off the coast of Venezuela and on clear days it is possible to see Venezuela from the south-eastern side of the island.
Has there been any shark attacks in Aruba?
If you check with the Shark Research Institute you will find only one recorded shark attack in the entire Netherlands Antilles and none in Aruba. The only one on record occurred in 1952 in Curacao.
Overview
Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands physically located in the mid-south of the Caribbean Sea, about 29 kilometres (18 mi) north of the Venezuelan peninsula of Paraguaná and 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Curaçao. It measures 32 kilometres (20 mi) long from its northwestern to its southeastern end and 10 kilometres (6 mi) across at its widest point. Togethe…
Etymology
The name Aruba most likely came from the Caquetio Oruba which means "Well situated island", seeing as it was the Caquetio who were present on the island when it was first colonised by Alonso de Ojeda. Between 1529 and the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia the name "Isla de Oruba" was used for the island by the Spanish. After the signing the island was ceded to the Dutch and its name was changed to Aruba.
History
There has been a human presence on Aruba from as early as circa 2000 BC. The first identifiable group are the Arawak Caquetío Amerindians who migrated from South America about 1000 AD. Archaeological evidence suggests continuing links between these native Arubans and Amerindian peoples of mainland South America.
Geography
Aruba is a generally flat, riverless island in the Leeward Antilles island arc of the Lesser Antilles in the southern part of the Caribbean. It lies 77 km (48 mi) west of Curaçao and 29 km (18 mi) north of Venezuela's Paraguaná Peninsula. Aruba has white sandy beaches on the western and southern coasts of the island, relatively sheltered from fierce ocean currents. This is where the bulk of the po…
Demographics
In terms of country of birth, the population is estimated to be 66% Aruban, 9.1% Colombian, 4.3% Dutch, 4.1% Dominican, 3.2% Venezuelan, 2.2% Curaçaoan, 1.5% Haitian, 1.2% Surinamese, 1.1% Peruvian, 1.1% Chinese, 6.2% other.
In terms of ethnic composition, the population is estimated to be 75% mestizo, 15% black and 10% other ethnicities. Arawak heritage is stronger on Aruba tha…
Government
Along with the Netherlands, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with internal autonomy. Matters such as foreign affairs and defense are handled by the Netherlands. Aruba's politics take place within a framework of a 21-member Staten (Parliament) and an eight-member Cabinet; the Staten's 21 members are elected by direct, popular vote t…
Education
Aruba's educational system is patterned after the Dutch system of education. The government of Aruba finances the public national education system.
Schools are a mixture of public and private, including the International School of Aruba, the Schakel College and mostly the Colegio Arubano.
There are three medical schools, American University School of Medicine Aruba (AUSOMA), Aure…
Economy
The island's economy is dominated by four main industries: tourism, aloe export, petroleum refining, and offshore banking. Aruba has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean region. The GDP per capita (PPP) for Aruba was estimated to be $37,500 in 2017. Its main trading partners are Colombia, the United States, Venezuela, and the Netherlands.