Another indigenous species, the kododo blauw (Cnemido- phorus arubensus) is the Aruban whiptail lizard. The shoco (Athene cunicu-laria arubensis), known as the Aruban burrowing owl, and the prikichi (Aratinga pertinax arubensis), the Aruban parakeet. The two snake species are the cascabel (Crotalus durissus uni-color), and the santanero (Leptodeira bakeri), called the (Aruban) Baker's cat-eyed snake. These are located within the Arikok National Park almost exclusively. Rock outcroppings also create micro-climatic conditions to support these unique plant and animal species, as well as settlements. These formations have directly influenced Aruba's human settlement, as well as its natural wonders.Īruba is home to several species endemic to the island, including two unique species of snake and two bird species. The National Park takes up approximately 18 percent of this tiny island, including three primary geological formations, the Aruba lava formation, a quartz diorite formation, and a limestone formation that extends inward from the coast. The island lies outside the usual path of hurricanes.Īrikok National Park is a preserve of desert resources, including several indigenous species. Rainfall is low and variable, with annual precipitation barely reaching 20 inches (500 mm), with most of it falling in late autumn. Temperatures are almost constant at about 28 ☌ (82 ☏), moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean.

Little seasonal temperature variation exists, which helps Aruba to attract tourists all year round. The local climate is a pleasant and tropical–marine. Most drinking water is obtained by desalination of seawater. Its natural vegetation is comprised of a variety of drought-resistant trees, shrubs and cacti.

The island's soil is barren, with little or no natural irrigation. Immense monolithic boulders of diorite are piled atop one another throughout the island. The interior of the island features some rolling hills, the better-known two of which are called Hooiberg at 541 feet (165 m) and Mount Jamanota, which is the highest on the island, at 617 feet (188 m) above sea level. As a separate member state of the Netherlands, Aruba has no administrative subdivision. To the east are Curaçao and Bonaire, two island territories which form the southwest part of the Netherlands Antilles Aruba and these two Netherlands Antilles islands are also known as the ABC Islands. The northern and eastern coasts, lacking this protection, are considerably more battered by the sea and have been left largely untouched by humans. Most of these are located on the western and southern coasts of the island, which are relatively sheltered from fierce ocean currents.

GeographyĪn island of the Lesser Antilles, located within the Leeward Antilles island arc, Aruba is a generally flat, river-less island renowned for its white, sandy beaches. This setting has strengthened tourism, which is its number one economic strength and has earned it the name, 'the Las Vegas of the Caribbean'. Unlike much of the Caribbean region, Aruba has a dry climate and is considered a generally flat, river-less island renowned for its white, sandy beaches. Though no full-blooded Aboriginals remain, the features of the islanders clearly indicate their genetic heritage. This heritage is stronger on Aruba than on most other Caribbean islands. The original native people of Aruba and surrounding islands were the Arawak Indians. Aruba has a land area of 75 square miles (193 km²) and lies just outside of the hurricane belt. It belongs to the Realm of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of a European state, the Netherlands, and two Caribbean states, Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. Aruba is a 32 kilometer-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Curaçao 18 miles north of the Paraguaná Peninsula of Venezuela.

Capital island of aruba