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Just 15 miles north of Venezuela, Aruba is located in the southern Caribbean Sea at 12°30’ N Lat. 70°W Long. Part of the so-called “Dutch ABC’s” (the B and C being Bonaire and Curaçao). Aruba’s 70 square miles are unusual for a Caribbean island, being quite dry and featuring much cacti and windblown rock formations. Seven miles of pure white sand beaches line the southwest coast, the leeward side of the island, while the ruthless, wind driven Caribbean carves out dramatic rock formations along the northeastern shore. Aruba is completely outside the hurricane belt.

Aruba was originally inhabited by the peaceful Arawak Indians, whose painted hieroglyphics may still be seen in caves high in the mountains. “Discovered” by the Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda in 1499, Aruba changed hands several times before finally becoming Dutch in 1816. Gold was discovered in 1824 and for the next 89 years over 3 million pounds were mined. Shortly after the cessation of mining activities in 1913, Lago Oil and Transport Company, later part of Exxon, built an oil refinery in 1924, which remained open and functioning until 1985.

Cruise ships were the only source of tourists for Aruba until 1959, when the first of many luxury hotels was built. Tourism has been a steadily growing industry since. There has been booming developmental activity over the past twenty years. Timeshare and large beachfront condominiums have been a major component.

The first modern economy here was based on oil. The island’s oil refinery was built in 1924 and later became a part of Exxon. However, the excess of oil production facilities in the world led Exxon to close the refinery in 1985. Since this was the main resource of the economy, the Aruba government at once began focusing its energies on its other economic mainstay, tourism. The hospitality industry, along with its related subsidiary support industries such as finance and communication, was greatly expanded. Aruba has received and will continue to receive much financial aid for the expansion of its economy from the Netherlands and from the European Economic Community. Aruba Tourism has accelerated dramatically and during the past ten years the island has become one of the region’s most popular destinations.