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Aruba History Timeline

Aruba's Information

Flag of Aruba
Land Area 180 km2
Total Area 180km2
Population 113,648 (#188)
Population Density 631.38/km2
Government Type Parliamentary Democracy (Legislature); Part Of The Kingdom Of The Netherlands
GDP (PPP) $2.52 Billion
GDP Per Capita $25,300
Currency Guilder (AWG)
More Information Aruba

See Also

1000s
  • (1000) Aruba's first settlers, the Arawak Indians, arrived from Venezuela
1400s
  • (1499) Spanish explorer, Alonso de Ojeda, discovered the island; claimed Aruba for Spain
1500s
  • (1508) Alonso de Ojeda of Spain, appointed first governor of Aruba
  • (1515) Arawak Indian tribe transported to Hispaniola to work as slaves in copper mines
  • (1527) Spain began to formally colonize Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao; Governor Juan de Ampues asked King Charles V of Spain to return the Arawak Indians to the island, request granted
1600s
  • (1636) Aruba colonized by the Dutch, formed part of the Dutch West India Company
  • (1648-1664) Aruba under Dutch West India Company administration as "New Netherlands and Curacao"
1700s
  • (1799-1802) British occupied Aruba
1800s
  • (1805- 1816) British occupied Aruba
  • (1816) Aruba returned to Dutch control
  • (1824) Gold discovered
  • (1845) Aruba officially part of Netherlands Antilles
  • (1850) Aloe introduced to the island
  • (1874) The use of Guano (manure) as fertilizer was discovered, Aruba became major supplier of calcium phosphate
1900s
  • (1916) Gold mining ceased due to dwindling supply
  • (1928) Oil refinery built at San Nicolaas
  • (1935) First airport constructed in Aruba
  • (1940-1942) Aruba was British protectorate
  • (1942) German submarine attacked oil processing refinery
  • (1942-1945) Aruba was US protectorate
  • (1954) Aruba became part of the autonomous federation of the Netherlands Antilles
  • (1959) Aruba's first hotel opened, Aruba Caribbean Hotel
  • (1971) People's Electoral Movement party (MEP) founded, began campaign for independence and separation from the Netherlands Antilles federation
1900s continued
  • (1977) Majority of voters supported independence and withdrawal from the Antillean federation
  • (1983) Dutch and Netherlands Antilles governments agreed that Aruba should receive separate status
  • (1985) Oil refinery closed; Aruba economy devastated
  • (1986) Island obtained autonomous status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Henny Eman became prime minister
  • (1989) Nelson Oduber became prime minister
  • (1991) Oil refining resumed; Aruba's tourism economy exploded
  • (1994) Henny Eman became prime minister
  • (1996) Aruba placed on US list of major drug-producing countries
2000s
  • (2000) Aruba named one of 35 non-cooperative tax havens by OECD
  • (2001) Nelson Oduber became prime minister
  • (2003) Aruba, US agreed to exchange tax data to help combat money laundering
  • (2005) Natural Bridge collapsed (one of Aruba's most popular attractions)
  • (2009) Mike Eman became prime minister

Aruba Trivia

Which Continent is Aruba In?

Although a Caribbean island, Aruba is part of the continent of South America. The island of Aruba is located in the southern Caribbean Sea.

What Continent Is Aruba In?

What Kind of Government Does Aruba Have?

Aruba, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is a parliamentary representative democratic country.

What Type Of Government Does Aruba Have?

What Languages are Spoken in Aruba?

Dutch and Papiamento are the two official languages of Aruba.

What Languages Are Spoken in Aruba?

What are the Seven Wonders of Aruba?

The Seven Wonders of Bermuda are the Natural Pool, the Seroe Colorado, the Natural Bridge, the California Lighthouse, the Guadirikiri Caves, the De Oude Molen, and Hooiberg.

The Seven Wonders of Aruba

What Kind of Economy Does Aruba Have?

Aruba has a small open economy dominated by the service sector. Tourism, financial, hospitality, business, and petroleum bunkering are among the major service industries. The services sector contributes over 60% to Aruba’s economy.

The Economy of Aruba

What Is The Capital Of Aruba?

Oranjestad serves as the seat of government of Aruba, and it is also the country’s largest city situated on the southern coast close to the country’s western island. The capital city of Aruba is a popular tourist destination.

What Is The Capital Of Aruba?

About the Author

John Moen is a cartographer who along with his wife are the orignal founders of worldatlas.com. He and his wife, Chris Woolwine-Moen, produced thousands of award-winning maps that are used all over the world and content that aids students, teachers, travelers and parents with their geography and map questions. Today, it's one of the most popular educational sites on the web.

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Countries & Territories Of The Caribbean