Aruba History
Beginning
According to geologists Aruba is millions of years old, created by various underwater volcanic eruptions where afterwards it submerged from under the sea. By the time Aruba was fully submerged, coral formations grew everywhere. In the present, while driving around, many coral formations across big sections in Aruba can be noticed. Not just coral can be found everywhere, also other kind of interesting rock types and formations.
Caves
Additionally there are four caves, one larger than the other, that were formed by the force of the sea. These caves are generally shaped in the limestone. These caves served as shelters to the native population.
Natives
Way before any settler came to Aruba, it was already inhabited by several tribes of Indian population who took the journey over water from the main land to Aruba.
Origins of 'Aruba'
There are several theories on how the name 'Aruba' came to be. The most common and plausible theory is that the name is a variation of one of the tribes living in Aruba.
Early History
In 1499 the first colonists to arrive in Aruba were the Spanish. A lieutenant of Christopher Columbus discovered Aruba. Alonso de Ojeda and his crew were exploring the northern coast of Venezuela when they noticed land on the horizon. That land was Aruba.
The Spanish at first called Aruba, "isla de los gigantes", island of giants, which reflected on how they perceived the tribe of Indians found, whom they considered to be among the tallest they have ever seen in all their explorations.
Departure Spanish
When the islands in the southern Caribbean became threatened by other European powers the Spanish didn't care much for these islands, so much so that they referred to the islands as "islas inutiles", useless islands. Due to the harsh environment and lack of natural resources the Spanish dubbed the islands useless.
Arrival Dutch
Eventually the Dutch took possession of the islands where they used them for lucrative trades thru their Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC [English: Dutch East India Company].
Later History
The Spanish seized power on Aruba shortly to the British and French before being taken over indefinitely by the Dutch in 1636.
Irrelevant
Aruba was not an island of major relevance during the colonial era due to its size and, as stated before, lack of natural resources. That ended in the 19th century by a gold rush that lasted almost 100 years.
Gold Rush
Gold was first found in 1824 up until 1916. In all, a reported 1343 kilograms (3049 pounds) of gold was found. They built two smelters: at Bushiribana in 1872 and Balashi in 1899.
Oil
By the 1920's Standard Oil of New Jersey decided to build The Lago Oil & Transport Company which was used at first as a transshipment company but soon afterwards became a full fletched refinery to process crude oil from Venezuela. Big part of the 20th century was defined by this refinery. Roads, a hospital and housing were important contributors to Aruba's development.
Water Purification
In the thirties a very important development occurred after many years of hard work by island officials. Aruba got a secure drinking water distribution facility. It did not solve all problems with the drought, however it gave the island a start to what would become one of the best water purification facilities in the world today.
Modern History
A local official with a very futuristic view saw the need to attract investors to put money in Aruba's underdeveloped tourism. He travelled to the east coast in the United States to seek financing for his plans.
First Hotel
After his efforts development in tourism infrastructures started by the end of the 50's and beginning of the 60's with the opening of the first hotel: Aruba Caribbean Hotel.
Demise Refinery
Meanwhile the refinery, which was owned by Exxon by now, started to downsize due to new technologies used and eventually shutting down completely by 1983. Further investments in tourism were the only road to survival, especially on an island that is small, dry and virtually has no exports of its own. Aloe was not an optio; there was not enough of it to sustain the whole island.
Current Tourism
Aruba's current tourism economy really started taking off at the beginning of the 90's. New roads and resorts started being build and fiscal incentives were given to attract investors.
The next challenge to Aruba seems to be moving forward from 'mass tourism' towards more quality and sustainable oriented tourism.
Timeline
» Millions of years ago | Aruba emerges from under the sea due to volcanic eruptions, during several periods of time. During the slow emerging of the island coral grew everywhere.
» 1499 | Spanish Alonso de Ojeda arrives on Aruba after noticing land while exploring the coast of Venezuela.
» 1634 | the Dutch ever expanding trade needed them to acquire an island in the Caribbean for their operations. Curacao is taken from the Spanish, Aruba following two years later.
» 1824 | after being taken over by the French and British for a very brief period of time, the 19th century brings some industries to Aruba. Horse breeding, aloe vera plantations and a gold rush are predominant.
» 1926 | an oil refinery opens in Aruba to process crude oil from politically unstable Venezuela. Aruba is changed forever. The island becomes a mono-economy. Everything revolves around the oil refining industry. The thriving oil industry starts a massive migration of workers to Aruba, arriving from other Caribbean islands. All other industries are left aside for the almighty oil industry.
» 1932 | the ever growing population demanded a secure water supply. The government opens the first form of water purification and distribution facility. The general population still suffers from drought.
» 1959 | after downsizing by the refinery, Aruba's first hotel is opened: Aruba Caribbean Hotel. Meanwhile the water distribution is further enhanced.
» 1983 | the refinery announces its closure. Aruba is devastated.
» 1986 | Aruba leaves the constellation of the Netherlands Antilles, thus becoming a sovereign territory in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
» 1991 | Aruba's current tourism economy starts to skyrocket.
