Where is Aruba located? Map of Aruba
Aruba is a Dutch Caribbean island that has no rivers but boasts pristine white-sand beaches. Aruba is one of the Lesser Antilles islands, located in the Southern Caribbean Sea. Aruba, also called the Country of Aruba within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is located in the southern Caribbean Sea, 80 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of Curaçao and 29 kilometres (18 miles) north of the Paraguaná peninsula of Venezuela. Aruba became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and acquired the formal name Country of Aruba in 1986.
Capital of Aruba
Oranjestad, Aruba’s colourful capital, blends Dutch colonial architecture with Caribbean flair. Named after Dutch royalty, it’s a cruise port hub with shopping, museums, and vibrant street art. Other towns include Noord, San Nicolas, Savaneta, and Santa Cruz.
Geography of Aruba
Aruba lies 77 km west of Curaçao and just 29 km north of Venezuela’s Paraguaná Peninsula. On clear days, it is possible to see Venezuela on the south-eastern side of the island.
Size
Aruba has a total area of 180 km² (69.5 sq. miles).
Topography
It is a relatively flat island with a few hills.
The highest is Mount Jamanota, which is 188 metres (617 feet) above sea level.
Aruba is geologically located in South America, lying on the South American continental shelf.
Aruba features three unique landscapes.
Flat batholith terrain dominates the northern region.
Notable landmarks include the conical Hooiberg hill and rock formations such as Ayo and Casibari.
The Aruba Lava Deposit is the island's oldest. The northeastern region is home to this deposit.
This region is characterised by rolling hills, including Jamanota; it is also home to Arikok National Park.
Aruba and ABC Islands
Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, the three westernmost islands of the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, form the ABC Islands. These islands have a shared political history, and there is also underlying Dutch ownership.
Climate of Aruba
Aruba has a hot, semi-arid climate (BSh), according to the Köppen climate classification. The island enjoys sunny weather year-round with temperatures averaging between 28-32 °C (82-90 °F) during the day and 25-28 °C (77-82 °F) in the evening. Aruba receives a mere 500 millimetres, or 20 inches, of rainfall each year. The rainfall is highly variable. Interestingly, even during its purported rainy season, Aruba stays dry.
Why Does Aruba Remain Dry and Sunny?
Unlike much of the Caribbean, Aruba lies south of the typical hurricane zone, avoiding major storms.
Northeast trade winds blow away moisture, keeping skies clear and temperatures pleasant year-round.
Nearby Venezuela’s mountains block rain clouds, further reducing precipitation.
Why Aruba Lies Outside the Hurricane Belt?
Aruba lies outside the main hurricane belt due to its unique southern Caribbean location (12°N latitude). Most hurricanes form further north (above 10°N) and curve westward due to:
The Coriolis Effect: is too weak near the equator to spin storms into hurricanes.
Trade Winds – Steady easterlies push storms northward before they reach Aruba.
Cooler Ocean currents—upwelling of deeper, cooler water near South America discourages storm intensification.
The Divi Divi Trees
The Divi Divi trees (Caesalpinia coriaria) are Aruba’s iconic, wind-sculpted trees, always bent southwest due to the island’s constant northeast trade winds. Their twisted, umbrella-like shapes result from decades of wind shaping their growth. Locally called watapana, these hardy trees thrive in Aruba’s arid climate and are a natural compass—their direction always points toward the island’s famous beaches.
Population
As of 2023, Aruba has an estimated population of approximately 106,000 inhabitants. The island was granted a separate status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1986, which allows for autonomy in internal affairs while remaining part of the Kingdom.
Languages
Aruba's culture is a vibrant blend of Caribbean, Dutch, Latin American, and indigenous influences. The official languages are Dutch (used in government/education) and Papiamento (a melodic Creole mixing Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and African words), though Spanish and English are widely spoken.
Economy
Aruba's economy thrives on tourism, which contributes over 80% of GDP, with visitors drawn to its beaches, casinos, and luxury resorts. The island also has an oil refining history and a growing financial services sector. The stable US dollar-pegged currency and high standard of living reflect its prosperous, service-driven economy.
Tourism
Aruba has a very well-developed tourism industry. It received 1,421,616 tourists and 897,274 cruise visitors in the year 2024. Tourism and related activities generate about 75% of Aruba's gross national product. It attracts most tourists from North America and Europe. Aruba’s gold rush (1824–1916) left abandoned mines like Bushiribana and Balashi. Today, their ruins attract explorers, recalling the island’s brief but glittering history of gold smelting. Festivals like Carnival showcase colourful parades, music (soca, tumba), and traditional dances. Local dishes like keshi yena (stuffed cheese) and funchi (cornmeal porridge) reflect the island’s multicultural heritage. The warm, family-oriented society embraces the motto, "One Happy Island."