Aruba — Overview
Lean back and take it easy on Aruba: the best that Caribbean sea, sand and sunshine have to offer. Aruba’s balmy breezes and relaxed pace are just the tonic for any frazzled visitor; just like the soothing aloe vera plant that is found everywhere on the island.
The surrounding waters are populated by colorful creatures such as parrotfish splashed with teal and gold, while bright pink flamingos populate the national park.
Aruba's capital, Oranjestad, also dazzles: orange facades brightly array the architecture, indicating the island's historical ties with The Netherlands - Aruba's head of state is still the Dutch ruling monarch.
Geography
Aruba is the smallest island in the Leeward group of the Dutch Caribbean islands, which also include Bonaire and Curaçao; they are popularly known as the ABCs.
As the westernmost island of the group, Aruba is the final link in the long Antillean chain, lying 20km (12.5 miles) off the Venezuelan coast. The island is 30km (19.6 miles) long and 9km (6 miles) across at its widest, and has a flat landscape dominated by Jamanota Mountain (188m/617ft).
The west and southwest coast, known as Palm Beach, boasts 11km (7 miles) of palm-fringed powder-white sands while, in contrast, the east coast has a desolate and windswept shoreline of jagged rocks carved into peculiar shapes by the pounding surf.
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