Aruba is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is situated in the southern Caribbean Sea, about 29 kilometers north of Venezuela and 80 kilometers northwest of Curaçao.
1911: El Niño Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced very low rainfall, as little as 6 inches, during the strong El Niño year of 1911.
1912: El Niño Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced very low rainfall, as little as 6 inches, during the strong El Niño year of 1912.
1924: Limited Salt Extraction
By 1924, salt extraction in Aruba, particularly at Rancho, had become limited, with its primary use being the preservation of fish for transportation.
1924: Establishment of Lago Oil and Transport Company
The year 1924 marked the establishment of the Lago Oil and Transport Company, a subsidiary of Standard Oil (Esso), in San Nicolas, Aruba. This oil refinery played a pivotal role in Aruba's economic development.
1927: Founding of Arend Petroleum Company
The Arend Petroleum Company, often referred to as the Eagle, was founded in 1927 west of Oranjestad, Aruba's capital. This company, like its predecessor, processed crude oil from Venezuelan oil fields, further boosting the island's prosperity.
1930: El Niño Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced very low rainfall, as little as 6 inches, during the strong El Niño year of 1930.
1931: El Niño Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced very low rainfall, as little as 6 inches, during the strong El Niño year of 1931.
1933: La Niña Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced rainfall exceeding 39 inches during the La Niña year of 1933.
1934: La Niña Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced rainfall exceeding 39 inches during the La Niña year of 1934.
1940: Dutch Government-in-Exile Administration
With the Netherlands under Nazi Germany's occupation in 1940, the Dutch government-in-exile in London assumed control of Aruba's oil facilities.
1942: German Navy Attacks Oil Facilities
In 1942, Aruba's oil facilities, then under the administration of the Dutch government-in-exile, became targets of attacks by the German navy during World War II.
August 1947: Aruba's First Staatsreglement
In August 1947, Aruba took a significant step towards autonomy by formulating its first Staatsreglement (constitution), advocating for its status aparte within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This move was spearheaded by Henny Eman, a prominent Aruban politician.
1949: Disappearance of Paardenbaai Salt Pans
The salt pans located at Paardenbaai (Horses' Bay) in Aruba ceased to exist in 1949 when the area was dredged, and they were subsequently buried under sand.
1950: Parkietenbos Landfill Established
The primary solid waste landfill at Parkietenbos, covering 16 hectares (40 acres), was established in 1950.
1954: Establishment of the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
The year 1954 saw the establishment of the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a significant agreement that laid out the framework for the relationship between Aruba and the rest of the Kingdom. This charter led to the creation of the Netherlands Antilles, which unified all Dutch colonies in the Caribbean under a single administrative structure.
1958: Construction of the Lourdes Grotto
The Lourdes Grotto, inspired by the French pilgrimage site, was constructed in 1958 by Father Erkamp and his parishioners. This shrine, located in Seroe Preto, features a prominent statue of the Virgin Mary and hosts an annual procession and Mass on February 11, the feast of Lady Lourdes.
1970: La Niña Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced rainfall exceeding 39 inches during the La Niña year of 1970.
1971: La Niña Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced rainfall exceeding 39 inches during the La Niña year of 1971.
1972: Proposal for a Dutch Commonwealth
Betico Croes, an Aruban politician, put forward a proposal in 1972 at a conference in Suriname. He envisioned a Dutch Commonwealth comprising four states: Aruba, the Netherlands, Suriname, and the Netherlands Antilles, each with its own nationality.
1972: Population Fluctuations in Aruba
Between 1972 and 2022, Aruba's population experienced fluctuations due to net migration and economic factors.
1976: Symbols of Independence
In 1976, Aruba adopted symbols of an independent state by creating its own flag and national anthem, signifying a growing aspiration for self-determination.
March 1977: Referendum on Independence
A referendum held in March 1977, under the auspices of the United Nations, revealed a strong desire for independence among Arubans, with 82% of participants voting in favor of complete separation from the Netherlands.
1978: Study on Independence
Following negotiations between Betico Croes and Dutch Prime Minister Joop den Uyl in 1978, the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague was commissioned to conduct a study on Aruba's potential independence. This study, titled "Aruba en Onafhankelijkheid, achtergronden, modaliteiten, en mogelijkheden; een rapport in eerste aanleg" (Aruba and independence, backgrounds, modalities, and opportunities; a preliminary report), aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the implications of such a move.
1982: El Niño Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced very low rainfall, as little as 6 inches, during the strong El Niño year of 1982.
March 1983: Agreement for Aruba's Independence
A landmark agreement was reached in March 1983 within the Kingdom, paving the way for Aruba's independence through a series of gradual steps that would see the Crown grant increasing autonomy to the island.
1983: El Niño Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced very low rainfall, as little as 6 inches, during the strong El Niño year of 1983.
August 1985: Drafting and Approval of Aruba's Constitution
Aruba drafted its constitution in August 1985, a document that received unanimous approval, marking a crucial step toward its self-governance.
1985: Closure of Aruba's Oil Refinery and Tourism Boom
The closure of Aruba's oil refinery in 1985, a significant economic setback, prompted a major shift towards tourism. The industry expanded rapidly, eventually becoming the island's primary economic driver.
January 1986: Aruba Secedes from the Netherlands Antilles
A pivotal moment in Aruba's history arrived on January 1, 1986. Following its first parliamentary elections, Aruba formally seceded from the Netherlands Antilles. This move solidified its status as a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with full independence initially slated for 1996.
1986: Status Aparte
In 1986, Aruba achieved a significant milestone by becoming a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This political transition granted Aruba a greater degree of autonomy while maintaining ties with the Netherlands.
1986: Aruba's Separation from the Netherlands Antilles
In 1986, Aruba separated from the Netherlands Antilles, which has since been dissolved, and gained its own constitution.
1988: Population Growth in Aruba
From 1988 to 2016, Aruba's population nearly doubled, marking a significant period of growth.
1988: Aruba's First Olympic Games
Aruba participated in the Olympic Games for the first time in 1988.
1988: La Niña Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced rainfall exceeding 39 inches during the La Niña year of 1988.
1989: La Niña Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced rainfall exceeding 39 inches during the La Niña year of 1989.
1990: Postponement of Full Independence
During a convention in The Hague in 1990, the governments of Aruba, the Netherlands, and the Netherlands Antilles collectively decided to indefinitely postpone Aruba's transition to full independence. This decision came at the request of Aruba's then-Prime Minister, Nelson Oduber, reflecting a shift in the political climate and priorities.
1995: Rescinding of Aruba's Full Independence Article
The article in Aruba's constitution that outlined its path to complete independence was rescinded in 1995. While this decision signaled a move away from immediate full independence, it did include a provision allowing for the process to be revived based on the outcome of a future referendum.
1996: Postponement of Full Independence
Initially scheduled to achieve full independence in 1996, the transition was postponed. This decision reflected the evolving political landscape and the need to further assess the implications of such a move.
1997: El Niño Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced very low rainfall, as little as 6 inches, during the strong El Niño year of 1997.
1998: El Niño Impact on Aruba's Rainfall
Aruba experienced very low rainfall, as little as 6 inches, during the strong El Niño year of 1998.
1999: Establishment of U.S. Forward Operating Location in Aruba
In 1999, the U.S. Department of Defense established a Forward Operating Location (FOL) at the airport in Aruba.
2000: Archaic Period
Aruba's Archaic period, which lasted until around 2000 BC, was characterized by a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. The inhabitants relied heavily on marine resources and utilized stone tools for their daily activities.
February 2001: US Customs Pre-clearance Facility Opens
In February 2001, Queen Beatrix Airport expanded and opened a full pre-clearance facility for private aircraft passengers traveling to the United States, operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
2005: Aruba's Diverse Population
In 2005, the Bureau Burgelijke Stand en Bevolkingsregister (BBSB) recorded that Aruba was home to people of ninety-two different nationalities, reflecting the island's diverse cultural landscape.
2006: Aruba's Efforts to Reduce Deficit and Tax Reform
In 2006, the Aruban government implemented tax reforms to address the growing deficit, which had reached 1.883 billion Aruban florins. The reforms, influenced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), involved shifting from direct to indirect taxes.
2007: Tourism Boom in Aruba
Aruba received approximately 1,235,673 tourists in 2007, with Americans making up the majority. This marked a significant shift in the island's economy, which had previously relied heavily on oil refining until the mid-1980s.
2008: Aruba Becomes Exclusive Island for Private Flight Pre-clearance
As of 2008, Aruba holds the unique distinction of being the only island to offer pre-clearance services for private flights to the United States.
2009: Discontinuation of Dutch Development Aid to Aruba
At Aruba's request, the Netherlands discontinued development aid in 2009. The aid had primarily supported law enforcement, education, administrative development, healthcare, and sustainable economic development.
July 7, 2010: Legal Distinctions Between Aruba and the Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom Act of July 7, 2010, establishing the Law Enforcement Council, highlights legal distinctions between Aruba and the rest of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba is not subject to this council and is the only constituent country without an ombudsman.
2013: Unemployment Data Availability in Aruba
As of 2013, the Aruban government had not released official unemployment statistics.
2015: Reintroduction of Financial Supervision in Aruba
Due to a sharp rise in Aruba's debt, exceeding 80% of GDP, a form of financial supervision by the Netherlands was reintroduced in 2015.
2016: Population Growth in Aruba
From 1988 to 2016, Aruba's population nearly doubled, marking a significant period of growth.
2016: Aruba's Biocapacity Deficit
In 2016, Aruba faced a significant biocapacity deficit, using 6.5 global hectares of biocapacity per person while having only 0.57 global hectares available within its territory. This means Aruba's ecological footprint of consumption was almost 12 times its biocapacity.
2017: Population Decline in Aruba
After nearly three decades of continuous growth, Aruba's population declined in 2017, breaking the trend.
2017: Aruba's Economic Performance and Key Industries
In 2017, Aruba boasted a high standard of living in the Caribbean region, with a GDP per capita (PPP) estimated at $37,500. The island's economy thrives on tourism, aloe vera export, petroleum refining, and offshore banking, with major trading partners including Colombia, the United States, Venezuela, and the Netherlands.
2018: Labor Force Participation and Income in Aruba
By the end of 2018, Aruba had a labor force participation rate of 56.6% for women and boasted one of the highest per capita incomes in the Caribbean, approximately $24,087.
2018: Tourism Statistics for Aruba
In 2018, Aruba's tourism industry flourished, welcoming 1,082,000 overnight tourists. Approximately three-quarters of the island's gross national product stemmed from tourism and related activities. North America constituted the largest tourist market (73.3%), followed by Latin America (15.2%) and Europe (8.3%). Notably, 40,231 visitors originated from the Netherlands.
2018: Sunrise Solar Park Opens
The Sunrise Solar Park was installed and began operations in 2018.
2019: Venezuelan Refugee Influx in Aruba
In 2019, Aruba witnessed a significant influx of Venezuelan refugees, with an estimated 17,000 individuals seeking refuge, constituting approximately 15% of the island's population.
2020: Demographic Composition of Aruba
As of 2020, the population of Aruba was primarily composed of Dutch nationals (78.7%), followed by Colombians (6.6%), Venezuelans (5.5%), Dominicans (2.8%), Haitians (1.3%), and other nationalities (5.1%).
2020: Population Census
As of the 2020 census, Aruba had a population of 108,166.
2020: Hurricanes Impact Aruba
Despite being located in a region typically unaffected by hurricanes, Aruba experienced the impact of two hurricanes in their early stages during the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.
2020: Pandemic Impact on Aruba's Population
The COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022 contributed to a decrease in Aruba's population due to reduced births and immigration.
2022: Environmental Impact of Deforestation in Aruba
As of 2022, only a small percentage of Aruba's land area remains forested (2.3%) due to the historical deforestation and exploitation during the Spanish colonization, leading to an arid landscape. The limited protected natural area (0.5%) highlights the environmental impact.
2022: Population Fluctuations in Aruba
Between 1972 and 2022, Aruba's population experienced fluctuations due to net migration and economic factors.
2023: Population Growth in Aruba
In the first quarter of 2023, Aruba's population reached 107,354, representing a 0.2% increase from the previous year, primarily driven by a 20.4% rise in immigration.