“Aruba’s path to the present day is marked by the mystery of ochre-colored rock drawings left behind by island shamans, the enterprising spirit of European adventurers and settlers and the diverse experiences and traditions brought by the many nationalities that have since sought out the island as either a new home or temporary resting place. The look of the people, the languages they speak and the innate hospitality that manifests itself in the Aruban psyche is the result of a multi-cultural mix that reflects a rich past.”
-Courtesy of Destination Aruba Magazine

First Inhabitants:
Aruba was first inhabited by the Caquetio Indians of the Arawak tribe from the South America. They were fisherman, hunters and gatherers. Artifacts, including pottery and erthenware can still be found at the Archeological Museum in Oranjestad and at the Historical Museum of Aruba at Fort Zoutman and William III Tower. Also there are several sites where one can view cave drawings left behind by the shamans. They are located in the Fontein and Guadiriki Caves and at Arikok National Park.

Spanish Rule:
In 1499, Spain claimed Aruba for the Spanish throne and enslaved it’s inhabitants. Most of the inhabitants were shipped to other islands and placed into slave labor. During this period, Aruba became a haven for pirates and buccaneers who preyed on ships transporting goods from the other Caribbean Islands back to Europe. At Bushiribana on the northeast coast, the ruins of an old pirate castle still remain standing. Also, there are many ship wrecks along the coast of Aruba to explore. Many scuba diving expeditions include a visit to these ship wrecks.

The Dutch influence:
In the mid 17th century, the Dutch took control of the Island, after the 80 year war with Spain. The Dutch allowed Aruba’s inhabitants to remain free. Aruba became a chief satellite location for the Dutch West India Company. It is during this time that the construction of the historic fortress, Fort Zoutman and William III Tower, took place. These are the oldest buildings in the country. The Dutch struck gold in Aruba in 1824 which became a leading export for this country (along with phosphate, divi-divi pods and aloe). The ruins of a nineteenth-century smelting plant still survive in Balashi, which is northwest of the Spanish Lagoon near the center of the island. In 1924, gold was replaced by oil as the leading export. Aruba became home to one of the world’s largest refineries and turned the Aruban city of San Nicholas into a major commercial center.

English Rule:
It should be point out that there was also an eleven year period where the English controlled Aruba (1805 – 1816).

Aruban Culture:
Aruba is a beautiful mix of cultures that can trace its ancestry back to 40 different ethnic backgrounds.
The native language is a creole dialect called Papiamento which is made up of elements of Dutch, Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, a number of different African languages, and Arawak Indian. Nearly everyone on the island is able to speak English and Spanish, in addition to Dutch, which is the official language of Aruba.
-The Original Official Homepage of the Aruba Tourism Authority.

Color and music are important staples in Aruban life. These two elements are major parts of cultural events, including the yearly Carnival and Dia Di San Juan (St. John’s Day) celebrations. Types of music most often heard on the island are calypso, soca, merengue, and a local combination known as socarengue.

Recommended sites to explore while in Aruba:
Oranjestad: The capital city, located on the southern coast near the western end of the island. There you will see the influence of the Dutch in the pastel colored colonial architecture. There is also a museum in Oranjestad that holds ancient artifacts, pottery tools, and giant earthen jars of the original Aruban inhabitants.
Fort Zoutman And William III Tower: The oldest building in the country built by the Dutch. It now houses the Historical Museum of Aruba, where Caiquetio artifacts from the prehistoric past are now on display alongside of remnants from the Dutch colonial period and other items of local interest.
Bushiribana:
On the northern coast midway down the island. There you will find abandoned gold mines. Nearby are the ruins of an old pirate castle.