While the little island nation may have never experienced true independence, being in the greater Kingdom of Netherlands does have its perks. With the island’s diplomatic, trade, and tourist relations with Europe and the US, Aruba elevated its ranks among the best in the Caribbean.
What Nationality Is Aruba?
Being one of the constituent countries of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Arubans are considered to be Dutch. The island has internal autonomy but foreign relations, and defense are handled by the Dutch parliament and Prime Minister. However, Aruba does have a governor that oversees certain administrative functions.
Arubans are considered Dutch because of their connection with the Kingdom of Netherlands, however, the population’s ethnicity is somewhat diverse. The island nation’s demographic makes up about 66% consider themselves Aruban, about 9.1% Colombian, and 24.9% other nationalities like the Dutch, Dominican, Venezuelan, etc.
Keep in mind that Aruba is only a constituent country, not independent sovereignty. Aruba is one of the four countries that make up the greater Kingdom of the Netherlands. These include, European Netherlands, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten.
Why Is Aruba Dutch?
The island of Aruba was taken over by the Spanish for over 137 years, where the local Caquetio Indians were enslaved to work on plantations and mines off of the island because Aruba doesn’t receive as much rain necessary to sustain farming. Some Indians were forced to labor cattle and horse breeding operations on the island for most of the Spanish Rule. Then the Dutch came.
Aruba’s strategic location, enticed the Dutch to occupy the island in 1636 taking it from Spanish rule. The island was used to protect the Dutch’s salt supply from the South American mainland while maintaining a naval base in the Caribbean to fend off the Spanish during the Eighty Years War. During this time, the island was also used for raising cattle and building farms to supply other islands.
However, another notorious colonial power, the British invaded and seized control of Aruba during the Napoleonic Wars. Ousting the Dutch, but, in 1816 they took it back and officially made Aruba part of the Netherlands Antilles in 1845.
In 1986, Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in a process called “Status Aparte”, where the island obtained an autonomous status in the Kingdom of Netherlands. While the initial plan was full sovereignty, Aruba decided to postpone the plan in 1990. But since 1995 the plan was never pushed through.
Today, Aruba stands as one of the Netherlands’ constituent countries together with Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. With the local government having autonomy with internal affairs, such as laws, policies, and currency. While the Kingdom of the Netherlands handles foreign affairs and national defense.
Is Aruba a Country, State, or City?
With its autonomy from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba is considered a constituent country of the Netherlands. This means that it has a level of autonomy with its internal affairs, enacting laws, policies, and handling the currency. While the Dutch government oversees foreign affairs and national defense.
Aruba consists of 8 regions for census, with Oranjestad as the capital city and largest most populated area in the entire island. These are mainly the Noord – Tanki Leendert, Oranjestad Oost, Oranjestad West, Paradera, San Nicolas Noord, San Nicolas Zuid, Santa Cruz, and Savaneta.
Is Aruba a Separate Country?
The island’s separate status is derived from Aruba being a constituent country of the Kingdom of Netherlands. The island is considered an independent country as it has a level of autonomy from the government of the Netherlands. The local government handles internal affairs, while the Dutch government oversees foreign affairs and national defense.
Is Aruba in the EU?
The island is a member of the OTC or the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union. Though not a part of the EU, Aruba’s associated status grants the island eligibility for certain EU funds and partnerships.
Is Aruba Schengen?
With Aruba’s status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the OTC, Arubans are considered European citizens allows them to move and reside freely within the EU. This is also applicable to Europeans from EU member countries to move and reside freely within Aruba.
Is Aruba a US Territory?
Aruba is a constituent country within the Kingdom of Netherlands and thus isn’t a US territory. However, the Netherlands mediates and oversees Aruba’s foreign affairs, including the United States. US citizens who wish to enter Aruba can do so visa-free, among many perks available for them.
Nearly 80% of tourists coming to Aruba were from the US and thus constitute the biggest tourist demographic. Apart from tourism, which is Aruba’s biggest moneymaker, the US is also one of the biggest trade partners of Aruba, with US exports to Aruba valuing up to 526 million USD in 2019, and imports from Aruba were valued at 20 million USD.
Is Aruba Under British Rule?
Currently, the Kingdom of Netherlands rules Aruba with King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes presently at the helm. The British, however, took Aruba from Dutch rule for a short period during the Napoleanic Wars in 1806. But after 10 years, the Dutch took it back.
What Kind of Government Does Aruba Have?
Being a constituent country with a kingdom makes Aruba have one of the most unique forms of government in the world. First off, since its release from British rule in 1816, the Dutch never left Aruba. Now, the island is considered to have a parliamentary representative democracy within a constitutional monarchy currently lead by a governor representing the King as head of state.
The Aruban Parliament has legislative, executive, and judicial powers located in the capital of Oranjestad. The parliament consists of 21 members elected for a four-year term by proportional representation. Each member can only hold their seats until the Parliament will be dissolved every four years by a general election.
What Is the Culture of Aruba?
Aruba’s wonderfully mixed culture stems from its varied European colonial past and present-day influences from its Caribbean, Latin American neighbors, and the USA. when you get to the island you’ll immediately notice the blend of Spanish, Indian, and Dutch influence in their culture that is mainly evident in their language, food, and general attitude as people.
Today, the people of Aruba are also mixed with different ethnicities mostly from neighboring countries like Venezuela, and Colombia. With a strong nod to their ancestral Indian roots. The island still embraces its colonial past with the Dutch that is apparent in their food and colonial building in Oranjestad.
Another thing you’ll notice from Arubans is that they are usually warm, happy, and smiling. Their “One Happy Island” motto and campaign isn’t only for promotions, it’s the disposition of the people of the island.
What Do You Call a Person From Aruba?
People from Aruba are often called Aruban, both by foreigners and the natives. Arubans are a happy bunch, proud to open their island to all eager explorers of this side of the Caribbean. With a mixed past and a magnificent and unique island, expect that Arubans and Aruba will leave a mark.
What Race Are Native Arubans?
Native Arubans of today have striking looks and a warm, pleasant attitude that reinforces their zest for hospitality. From its varied past filed with multiple invasions, and occupancies. Under three ruling colonial powers in a period, Arubans have mixed ancestry and racial makeup.
It is believed that most Arubans, if not all, have mixed ancestry from their Caquetio Indian origins, and European roots from centuries of colonization. MAny Arubans also have Latin American roots mixed in them as well, a blend of native South American Indians and a slew of European mix.
How Many Nationalities Are in Aruba?
On record, currently, the island has collected data of individuals coming from 133 countries with 92 different nationalities. This makes Aruba have a diverse population that adds in a plethora of other influences that originated from Europe to East Asia.
Was There Slavery in Aruba?
There war slavery in Aruba from both Africa and the Caquetio Indians under European powers. Aruba lies on both the Amerindian Slave Trade Route and African Slave Trade Route, but even before the arrival of African slaves, the Spanish enslaved and deported many of Aruba’s native Caquetio Amerindians to work in Hispaniola.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, with the arrival of the Dutch, many Amerindians were also forced to work for the Dutch West India Company. Slavery was then abolished in 1863, where the 496 slaves on the island were emancipated, and subsequently obtained provision grounds and became free peasants.
What Does Aruba Mean in Spanish?
There are no clear accounts that the anime of the island was in fact derived from Spanish words. There were many claims about its name, some from the Spanish, specifically from the first European who has set foot on the island, Alonso de Ojeda. Some accounts also claim that it came from a Carib Indian word.
How Did Aruba Get Its Name?
There are several accounts regarding the origin and meaning of the name Aruba, and some of them pertain to the Spanish Alonso de Ojeda who was thought to be the first European to set foot on the island and said “oro huba” which translates to “there was gold”. And, much to the Spaniards’ dismay the island didn’t have any gold.
Another account is that the name may have come from the Carib Indian words “ora” meaning “shell”, and “oubao” meaning “island”. Which would make sense as the island has beaches all over full of shells, especially around the eastern coasts.
Who Founded Aruba?
Aruba was discovered by the Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda in 1499 and subsequently claimed it for the Spanish throne. The island went under Spanish rule for the next 137 years until the arrival of the Dutch West India Company in 1636. Since the arrival of the Dutch, the island was under Dutch rule, which was then taken from them by the British for 10, and then later retaken by the Dutch empire, and has been established as a country and territory within the Kingdon of the Netherlands ever since.
What Language Do They Speak in Aruba?
Arubans speak Papiamento, a Portuguese-based creole language spoken in the Dutch Caribbean. Dutch is also an official language on the island being within the Kingdom of the Netherlands as a constituent country.
Do They Speak English in Aruba?
English being the language of diplomacy and business, and with the island’s relation to the US, English is also widely spoken by the populace, especially those in the tourism service sector.
Is Spanish Spoken in Aruba?
From the immigrants coming from the South American continent over the past years, Spanish is also spoken in Aruba. Most of the Spanish-speaking people come from or descended from Colombian, and Venezuelan immigrants.
What Is the Official Language of Aruba?
The island has two official languages: Dutch and Papiamento, Where Dutch is spoken around business and academics as the island adopted a Dutch education system. And, Papiamento is the predominant local language of the people, spoken in daily life.
How Do You Speak Papiamento in Aruba?
Speaking Papiamento sounds a lot like Portuguese with Afro linguistic undertones. A lot of the words are borrowed from different influential languages as well.
Papiamento evolved from a pidgin language, used and developed for the purpose of communication among people of different native languages. The language is Afro-Portuguese Creole based which has developed over the years from many borrowing from Dutch, English, and Spanish.
How Do You Say Thank You in Aruba?
You can say, “Danki” in the local Papiamento language, a borrowed word from the Dutch language “Dank”, or “Dank je wel” – which you can also use in Aruba. But, when in doubt, you can always say “thank you!”, as the majority speak English as well.
What Is Hello in Aruba?
In Papiamento, you can say “Bon dia”, for hello in the morning, “Bon tardi” for the afternoon, and “Bon nochi” for the evening. You can also say, “hallo”, as in “hello” in Dutch.
How Do You Say Goodbye in Aruba?
In Papiamento, “ayo” is goodbye, and in Dutch, you can say, “vaarwel” for formal, or “doei”, if you like it the casual way.
