Transport in Aruba is facilitated by road, air, and rail. Aruba features a well-established road network, with the majority of the roads being paved. However, as one ventures towards the interior of the island, the prevalence of paved roads decreases, giving way to more rugged terrain. Conversely, coastal areas typically offer-well maintained paved roads. Aruba's road network covers a total distance of about 998 kilometres (620 mi), with 361 kilometres (220 mi) remaining unpaved. [1]
The department of public transport, also known in as Departamento di Transporte Publico (DTP) in Papiamento or Dienst Openbaar Personen Vervoer (DOPV) in Dutch, is the government agency overseeing various modes of public transportations, including taxis, buses, tour buses, and rental vehicle, such as cars, scooters, quads, races, and motorcycles). All public transportation services are required to obtain a transportation permit through DOPV. [2]
Arubus N.V. is the major public transportation company and is owned by the Government of Aruba. It offers transportation services across large parts of the island, operating a fleet of approximately 29 buses. Mini-buses are also a common sight. There are two primary Arubus station located in Oranjestad and San Nicolas. [3]
As per the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the number of registered buses has remained relatively stable from 2015 to 2021. In 2015, there were 129 registered buses, and this number increased to 140 by 2021. In contrast to buses, the count of registered tour buses, has experienced a rapid increase, growing from 94 to 312. [4]
Data from the CBS indicates a decline in the total number of bus passengers (excluding school children) from 2010 to 2021. In 2010, a total of 2,719,083 passengers were transported, whereas in 2021, the number decreased to 1,129,944. [5]
Travelers have the option to take short plane flights from Queen Beatrix International Airport. The major local airlines, Divi Divi Air and EZ Air, operate multiple daily flights between Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire. [6] [7] However, flying between the islands can be costly, and there have been persistent challenges. Since the 1970s, at least fifteen airlines, both local and from Europe, have made attempts in this regard. Local airlines, such as Air Aruba, have faced financial issues, leading to bankruptcies over the years. [8]
The Antilliaanse Luchtvaartmaatschappij (ALM), or Antillean Airline, held the skies for 37 years, marking its status as the longest-running airline in the region. As a government-owned entity, it enjoyed a monopoly over the islands. ALM's reach extended to 26 flight destinations, with the largest portion (five) in Venezuela. In 2001, circumstances compelled it to halt its operations. [9]
Director Edwin Kelly of the Directie Luchtvaart Aruba, or Aruba Aviation Directorate, highlights significant challenges: insufficient considerations of market changes. Kelly point out that the Venezuelan market was robust, as was the Cuban market, but liberalization has halted the latter. These markets are temporary and subject to fluctuations. Hence, Kelly emphasizes the need for a long-term strategy, not only for airline establishment but also for long-term viability and sustainability. However, it is crucial for the government to protect the route and maintain the connection between the islands. [9]
Commercial and non-commercial total landings have seen a decline, dropping from 23,765 in 2015 to 11,294 in 2021. Notably, non-commercial landings have experienced the most significant decrease, falling from 6,219 to 986, in contrast to commercial landings, which decreased from 17,546 to 10,308. [10]
Aruba has three ports or harbors: Barcadera, Oranjestad, and San Nicolas. The Aruba Ports Authority manages the operations of the ports in Barcadera and Oranjestad. [11] The government has regained control of the former Valero Aruba Refining Company port. Ports in Barcadera and San Nicolas primarily serve industrial and oil-related purposes. [12]
On 15 August 1973, a Venezuelan ferry from La Vela port in Coro made its inaugural journey to Aruba. [13] [14] By April 1975, the ferry has faced challenges in Aruba related to freight transportation and labor union issues. These difficulties have escalated to the extent that the ferry's management was contemplating the possibility of excluding Aruba from its sailing schedule. [15]
In 2017, based on research of ICASUS Caribbean, the possibility of a fast ferry between the ABC-islands would be economically viable. However, challenges related to crime and illegal immigration are also recognized. Additionally, finding a suitable ferry represents another obstacle. Notably, there are few fast ferries capable of operating in this region due to the strong ocean currents.
Currently, there are no ferry services between Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire and Venezuela. The only way to travels between these destinations is by air. [8]
Historically, Aruba had three industrial narrow-gauge railways, although they are no longer in operation. These railways served various industrial purposes. The first railway used for the guano mines of the Aruba Phosphate Company in Seroe Colorado. The other two were primarily associated with for the oil industry. One belonged to the Lago Oil and Transport Company, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, and the other was owned by the Arend Petroleum Company, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell. [16]
In 2012, a significant development in Aruba's transportation infrastructure occurred with the inauguration of a tramway line in Downtown Oranjestad. This addition marked notable expansion of public transportation options in the area and aimed to enhance mobility within the city. [17] [18]
Aruba, officially the Country of Aruba, is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands physically located in the mid-south of the Caribbean Sea, about 29 kilometres (18 mi) north of the Venezuela peninsula of Paraguaná and 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Curaçao. It measures 32 kilometres (20 mi) long from its northwestern to its southeastern end and 10 kilometres (6 mi) across at its widest point. Together with Bonaire and Curaçao, Aruba forms a group referred to as the ABC islands. Collectively, these and the other three Dutch substantial islands in the Caribbean are often called the Dutch Caribbean, of which Aruba has about one-third of the population. In 1986, it became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and acquired the formal name the Country of Aruba.
"Aruba Dushi Tera" is the national anthem of Aruba. It is a waltz written by Juan Chabaya Lampe and composed by Rufo Wever. The last verse was written by Hubert (Lio) Booi. It was accepted as the Aruban national anthem on 18 March 1976. It is written in Papiamento.
Oranjestad is the capital and largest city of Aruba, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is located on the southern coast near the western end of the island country. In the local language, Papiamento, Oranjestad is often referred to as "Playa". In 2010, the population of the capital was 28,294.
Gilberto François "Betico" Croes was an Aruban political activist who was a proponent for Aruba's separation from the Netherlands Antilles. This eventually occurred in 1986, but following a car accident on 31 December 1985, Croes lapsed into a coma and never became conscious to see his accomplishment. He is best remembered as "Libertador" (liberator) and as the father of the Aruban people.
The culture of Aruba, encompassing its language, music, and cuisine, is diverse and has been influenced by both regional and foreign cultures. One significant foreign influence originates from the Iberian Peninsula, which had a significant impact on the island for approximately 137 years, starting c. 1500. These influences were characaterized by a strong religious presence, missionary activities, and economic exploitation.
Dutch Antilles Express B.V. was an airline of the Dutch country of Curaçao. It operated high-frequency scheduled services in the Dutch Caribbean to United States, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Haiti, and Suriname. Its main base was at Curaçao International Airport.
Casibari is a settlement of Paradera, north of Hooiberg, in Aruba. Evidence of prehistoric rock drawings is still visible at the site. "Casibari" is an Indian name of Arawak origin. This toponym also stands for cas di baril, house of barrel, the first tin house of Aruba, made from oil barrels.
Moises Frumencio da Costa Gomez was the president of the first Governing Council of the Netherlands Antilles and the first Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles.
The Amigoe is a Dutch-language daily newspaper with editorials in Curaçao and whose audience are the peoples of the former Netherlands Antilles, specifically Curaçao and Aruba. The newspaper is one of the most widely read dailies in Aruba.
Cocuy is a liquor distilled from the fermented juices of the head, body or leaves of agave.
The Oranjestad Streetcar and is a single-track tram line in Oranjestad, the capital city of Aruba. It is owned and operated by Arubus, the national public transportation company. It was built as a key component of a larger project to upgrade the main retail areas of the town, other aspects of which included pedestrianization of streets, planting of trees, installation of ornamental street lighting and resurfacing of streets and sidewalks.
Evelyna Christina "Evelyn" Wever-Croes is an Aruban politician and current Prime Minister of Aruba, serving since November 2017. She is the first woman to hold this office. She is a member of the People's Electoral Movement (MEP) and has been the leader of the party since 2011.
Pauldrick François Teodoric"Paul"Croes is a former Aruban politician who served as the Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor in the Second Eman Cabinet from 2013 to 2017. As a member of the Aruban People's Party, he was a member of the Parliament of Aruba between 2009 and 2013.
The Second Jonckheer cabinet was the 2nd cabinet of the Netherlands Antilles.
Paardenbaai or Port of Oranjestad is the main seaport for passengers in Aruba. It is located in Oranjestad and has existed since 1796.
Willem Frederik Meinhardt (Wem) Lampe was a politician of the Netherlands Antilles. Lampe served as Minister of Justice from 1951 to 1952, and from 1954 to 1955. He was Minister Plenipotentiary from 1955 to 1967.
Miguel José Mansur is an Aruban politician of the Accion 21 party. He was elected a Senator of the Parliament of Aruba in the elections of 25 June 2021. He was the top vote getter amongst new candidates and fifth overall of 176 candidates participating.
De Olde Molen, also known as Old Dutch Windmill, The Mill, or Alte Mühle is a non-operational octagonal smock mill with a stage reconstructed in 1961 in Palm Beach, Aruba. Since then, it has been serving as a restaurant and a windmill museum. Originally, this windmill has undergone various relocations and transformations within the province of the Netherlands, Groningen, before arriving at its present location.
Antonius Johannes van Koolwijk was a Dutch clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. His notable contributions lie in the field of archeological research, particularly his studies on the indigenous culture of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao during the late 19th century. Van Koolwijk is recognized as the pioneering archeologist of the ABC islands.
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.
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