| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ABOUT ARUBA
|
DID YOU KNOW?
| Papiamento is the native language of the Aruban people. It is classified as a language rather than a dialect since it is spoken in all circles of Aruban society. Papiamento in fact, has the same meaning as "Parlement" from the French verb "parler", meaning to speak. To impress island hosts, try greeting them with a hearty “bon dia” (“good day”). |
| Most Arubans speak at least four languages. English is widely practiced, thanks to the tourist industry, and Portuguese and Spanish are common since the coast of Latin America is just a few miles away. Dutch, as Aruba’s official language, is frequently heard, and you will also encounter Papiamento, the "official" language of the indigenous people. |
 | Off the northern tip of Aruba lies the wreck of the “California,” which gained infamy in 1912 when her captain heard and ignored distress calls from the Titanic. As a result, the captain was imprisoned for negligence, and several years later, the “California” sank when she hit a submerged coral reef. |
| While the relatively small island of Aruba is only 19½ miles long and 6 miles across at its widest point and has a population of only 95,000, it boasts the world’s second largest desalination plant, which produces pure, safe and delicious drinking water. |
 | After years of pounding by the surf, Aruba’s famous natural bridge fell into the ocean a few years ago but is still an impressive sight. The island boasts seven other picturesque natural bridges in addition to several diverse and breathtaking landmarks. |
| Aruba’s first inhabitants were the caquetios indians, who lived on the island as early as 1000 A.D. These people were part of the Arawak tribe, and their cave paintings can still be viewed at the Fontein and Ayo caverns.
Back |
|
|
|
|
