Facts About Aruba

Vacationers love the Caribbean. Aruba tops the list of places to see in the region owing to its unfailingly warm and sunny weather. When somebody mentions the Caribbean island of Aruba, the first things that come to mind are imageries of sun, white sand beaches and turquoise waters, or perhaps superb shopping in world-class boutiques, or maybe the chance to try your luck at one of the island's sophisticated casinos. But there is much more to this trivial island that bears a distinctive mixture of Dutch, Latin American and native cultures than first meets the eye. Only 18 miles off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is situated in a dry, hurricane-free zone, making it an idyllic destination throughout the year. Combine its impeccable, warm, windy climate with its picturesque wonders, friendly folks, pulsating culture, enchanting food, fine accommodations and an exciting variety of activities and tours Aruba provides a surefire remarkable vacation.

Aruba's exceptional geography, language, music, art, cuisine, commerce and a swarm of other interesting features make it a phenomenal place to visit and an even better place to live.

The natural atmosphere is one of Aruba's most cherished assets and one that the Aruban individuals are dedicated to preserving. Gorgeous sugar-white sand beaches and crystal clear aqua-colored water are vital to Arubans and so a reef cleaning venture began over a decade ago to preserve the marine milieu for sunbathers, water sports fanatics and scuba divers alike. The Aruba Department of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry also is involved in the preservation of the sea turtle, a species imperiled to

extinction.
The 3400 hectares of Arikok National Park, encompassing about 17 percent of the island of Aruba, features a desert landscape with boulders, cactus, scampering bright turquoise or green lizards, wild goats and other vanishing species including the Aruban rattlesnake and parrot species. The National Park was designed in the first place for the Aruban individuals, to preserve the region for future generations but of course tourism has a wonderful benefit from it as well with a visitor, hiking trails, beaches and caves where pre-Columbian glyphs can be witnessed. Aruban music has typical rhythms such as the walz, tumba, danza and mazurka and exciting instruments like the huiro and the tingilingi box. These can be experienced at hotels and cafeterias where dancers and musicians perform as well as at the annual Carnival celebrations and the weekly Bon Bini show at historic Fort Zoutmann in Oranjestad.